The political emphasis on research and innovation is an important part of the European integration process, as well as an important concern for Germany within the EU with a view to ensuring Germany's remain equipped for the future, according to the press release by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

The program “Horizon 2020” will especially offer small and medium-sized companies attractive opportunities by providing significantly more risk capital, as well as supporting mobility of young professionals in science and industry, joint conception of research infrastructures such as supercomputers or special laboratories, and funding for “Future and Emerging Technologies”.
Measures to reduce bureaucracy and speed up the procedures are also planned.

Source: http://www.bmbf.de/press/3530.php
For more information, see: http://ec.europa.eu/research/horizon2020/index_en.cfm