DALI Makes the Shortlist: A Milestone for Germany’s Innovation Landscape

On July 8, 2025, the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) officially announced the inclusion of DALI among Germany’s most strategically relevant research infrastructure projects. This marks a significant step forward for the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf – a core member of the Hi-Acts alliance – and for Germany’s scientific and technological future.

A Major Step for Science and Innovation

Being shortlisted affirms DALI’s central role in the future development of Germany’s national research infrastructure. The decision by the Federal Ministry underscores the scientific excellence of the project and its enormous potential to drive innovation across a wide range of fields – from industry and health research to energy and quantum technologies.

“The shortlist placement is a major success and a decisive step toward realizing the world’s strongest terahertz source here in Dresden,” emphasizes Prof. Sebastian M. Schmidt, Scientific Director of HZDR.

Terahertz Light for a New Era of Research

DALI is based on a unique combination of superconducting electron accelerators and high-performance laser systems. Its goal is to generate ultra-intense terahertz (THz) light pulses, enabling the observation and creation of novel states of matter that were previously out of reach.

With this technology, DALI will allow researchers to:

• decode microscopic quantum processes with unmatched temporal resolution,
• initiate new materials with extraordinary properties,
• pave the way for breakthrough innovations in future-relevant fields.

Broad Applications and Global Impact

The THz light from DALI will open new research frontiers across disciplines: materials science, medical diagnostics, information technology, quantum computing, and energy transition. Of particular importance is DALI’s contribution to quantum research, which currently faces technical limitations due to the lack of suitable THz sources.

DALI’s scientific breadth and technological excellence will turn Dresden into a global hub for cutting-edge research and underscore the important role of the Hi-Acts consortium within the German research landscape.

A Nationally Prioritized Project

In 2024, the Federal Ministry introduced a new framework to assess and prioritize large-scale research infrastructures. The evaluation process, conducted by the German Council of Science and Humanities, considered criteria such as scientific potential, usability by the research community, relevance to Germany as a research location, and technical feasibility.

Being included on the shortlist is a key interim milestone. While it does not yet guarantee funding or implementation, it signals strong policy-level support for DALI’s realization and future impact.