German Minister for Research, Technology and Aerospace Dorothee Baer (L) looks on as Irene Bertschek (2nd L), Chair of Germany's Commission of Experts on Research and Innovation (EFI), hands over the commission's annual report to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (2nd R) on February 11, 2026 at the Chancellery in Berlin; at (R) is commission member Carolin Haeussler. (Photo by John MACDOUGALL / AFP via Getty Images)