Scientific Controlling (UE-C)

Under the terms of the Academic Freedom Act, which came into effect at the end of 2012, non-university research institutions have more autonomy and more individual responsibility with regard to their budgets, personnel, financial investments, and the construction of research buildings. This puts them in a position to react faster and more flexibly to current developments. Associated with this is an obligation for such institutions to be transparent about their use of funds and to also conduct scientific controlling, from which meaningful indicators regarding the use of resources and services rendered can be derived and presented in a targeted manner.

An information management system with appropriate instruments and processes must be established within this context. This has two functions: firstly, it enables Forschungszentrum Jülich to fulfil its obligation to provide reports to its financial backers. Secondly, it forms the basis for strategic decisions on the part of Forschungszentrum Jülich's directors.

Against this backdrop, Scientific Controlling (UE-C) collects key figures on four levels:

• People: description of the achievements of heads of institute, for example in reappointment portfolios
• Institutes: portrayal of the activities of an institute in institute portfolios
• Programmes: presentation of activities within the framework of the programme progress reports
• Forschungszentrum Jülich: overview of Forschungszentrum Jülich in annual progress reports

In addition, data from existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and databases (SAP, TM1, etc.) are evaluated and made available to the Board of Directors as well as the heads of institute. Connected with this is the management of programmatic planning, which is another responsibility of UE-C. This forms the basis for a targeted use of resources, taking into account the framework conditions of programme-oriented funding (PoF). The aim is to support the Board of Directors in developing strategies for action and to guarantee a strategic focus and setting of priorities at the level of Forschungszentrum Jülich and at institute level.

UE-C is also responsible for all key figures of Forschungszentrum Jülich that are published in both FZJ reports (progress reports, institute portfolios, etc.) and in external reports (annual report).

A selection of Jülich’s reports and the relevant schedule is available here. (Intranet)

Within the framework of investment management, UE-C is responsible for centralized investment planning within Forschungszentrum Jülich. In particular, this comprises centrally financed investment margins:

• Expansion investments > € 2.5 million
• Structure and Development Fund (STEF)
• Strategic reserves

In addition, UE-C coordinates Forschungszentrum Jülich's participation in the Helmholtz Association's process for strategic expansion investments > € 15 million.