Research, teaching, and training at a high international level are recognized as the foundation of the bioeconomy in North Rhine-Westphalia, and innovations from science and research are considered essential as the basis for the majority of the goals defined in the strategy. The key challenges identified for the future include ensuring the continuity and agility of research and development even as public budgets tighten, as well as fostering closer integration between research, business, and society. The aim is to link invention and innovation more closely and to translate creative ideas into practical applications.

In the coming years, North Rhine-Westphalia aims to expand and strengthen the research system for the bioeconomy and to promote the optimization of knowledge transfer. In the field of research, expertise is to be more closely integrated in order to leverage synergies more effectively. With regard to knowledge transfer, spin-offs are to be further promoted.

The strategy highlights that BioSC has played a decisive role in raising the profile of North Rhine-Westphalia as a research hub in the bioeconomy, both nationally and internationally. Through its systemic collaboration across the natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and economics, it has, since its founding, embodied the interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach necessary for developing innovative solutions for a sustainable bio-based economy. Since funding from the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia began in 2013, more than 90 research projects have been carried out, focusing on the sustainable production of plants for food and material use, the conversion of renewable raw materials into valuable resources, and the economic feasibility as well as the societal prerequisites and consequences of the bioeconomy. This integrative approach is also being pursued through a range of educational activities.

A number of startups founded in North Rhine-Westphalia in recent years - including re.solution, LipiTune, AgPrime GmbH, BioThrust, and SenseUP Biosciences - have their roots in BioSC research collaborations. In partnership with the BioökonomieREVIER initiative, solutions researched at BioSC are being further developed for regional implementation and value creation in the Rhineland mining region. BioSC will continue to contribute to achieving the goals set out in the NRW Bioeconomy Strategy.