Quality management for biomedical research in Germany

Biomedical research is characterized by a tremendous expansion of knowledge in recent years. Alongside, biomedical research is in the focus of public inerest. Hence, highest quality standards are required to meet the expectat ions of the scientific community and of the public. A panel of instruments of quality management helps to strenghthen productivity of biomedical resea rch, i.e. 1. improved institutionalization of research; 2. productivity-ori ented distribution of ressources; 3. evaluations and 4. quality standards f ur the performance of research. Quality management is a matter of a vivid d iscussion in Germany and professors and junior faculty members alike are ge nerally open-minded towards quality management activities to improve output -oriented research.