Scientific and technological progress is recognised as a key driver for security, economic performance, and overcoming social challenges. States are increasingly developing strategic instruments to promote research, manage innovation, and simultaneously protect technological sovereignty. National and supranational lists of critical or sensitive technologies play a central role in this context.
This new publication by DLR Projektträger (DLR-PT) analyses and compares technology lists from six countries and jurisdictions: Despite overlapping content, these lists differ considerably in terms of terminology, depth of detail, legal status, and target groups.
The publication systematically summarises the various lists and renders them comparable by applying a common technological classification. This approach provides universities and research institutions with a sound basis for categorising their own research portfolios, cooperation strategies, and risk assessments in an international context. The analysis can therefore be understood as an orientation tool for reflective and differentiated research security governance.