The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is facing a projected shortfall of 21 million euros in public funding for the coming year, according to sources within the German parliament. Carsten Körber, a budgetary policy representative of the CDU party, confirmed the development to the “Industry and Trade” newsletter from Politico. The current draft budget for 2026 indicates a 21 million euro deficit for DLR.
Körber expressed concern regarding the budgetary situation, stating that it contradicts the principles of fiscal clarity and transparency. The planned funding for DLR is set to decrease by 14 percent, amounting to 550 million euros. The need to address this funding gap is now a central topic of ongoing budgetary discussions.
DLR has declined to comment on the ongoing budgetary negotiations, citing a policy of observing the process and subsequently determining how to manage available resources.
The situation stems from a dispute over administrative responsibilities between the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Originally, DLR was slated to transition to the purview of a different ministry, overseen by Dorothee Bär instead of Katherina Reiche. However, the two ministers have yet to reach a final agreement on the organizational decree initiated by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, a deadline of August 1st having passed.
Körber highlighted that parliamentary budget committees are demanding accurate budgetary plans reflecting the new organizational structure prior to the budget clearing session. He suggested the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action implemented cuts in areas undergoing administrative changes – an approach he characterized as overly simplistic.
