The Upper Rhine Trinational Metropolitan Region (TMO) is a Central European economic and social area with a population of six million and an economic output of more than 200 billion euros. Research and development have always played a crucial role for the region’s competitiveness, which is characterized by a strong dynamics of innovation and a globally active industrial sector.
Numerous university and research institutes offer a unique environment for integrating and concentrating research capacities. In a multitude of concrete collaborations, these actors are constantly creating new and improved training and continuing education courses, degree programs, and research projects. Research-intensive large corporations with a strong technological basis and highly inventive small- and medium-sized businesses supplement the region’s innovative potential and serve as important research and transfer partners.
As a means of building on the region’s strengths, the RMTMO RI project has set itself the ambitious goal of creating an even more tightly knit integration of research infrastructures on the Upper Rhine and laying the foundation for a future large-scale research infrastructure. The project therefore includes a careful analysis of the status quo, an investigation of potential and possibilities, and the development of an initial concept.
“This initial step on the path to a large-scale research institution on the Upper Rhine paves the way for dynamic scientific and economic developments in the trinational metropolitan region. It’s an opportunity we can only take advantage of together with our French and Swiss partners.”
Bärbel Schäfer, Chief Administrative Officer of the Freiburg Regional Council and Chair of the Interreg V A Upper Rhine Monitoring Committee
“The trinational border region on the Upper Rhine is marked by an unusual concentration of competencies of a high international standard. The development of a large-scale research infrastructure is a structural boon to the region, while at the same time enhancing its international attractiveness.”
Prof. Dr. Catherine Florentz, Vice President for Research and Doctoral Training at the University of Strasbourg
“The establishment of a large-scale research structure encourages the joint cross-border use of existing infrastructures, thus improving the conditions for research projects as well as the cooperation in the entire Upper Rhine area.”
Prof. Dr. Gunther Neuhaus, Project Manager, Vice Rector, and Vice President for Research at the University of Freiburg
