With the Internet Institute, Berlin wants to achieve another beacon of science. Apart from the WZB, Fraunhofer FOKUS, the four universities in Berlin as well as the University of Potsdam are part of the consortium that constitutes the application from Berlin. The concept proposes to research digitalization in a holistic approach that combines the ways of thinking of various disciplines. This reflects as well in the group of applicants as well as in the research proposals. Various approaches from economics, social science, political science, law, informatics and design will be systematically linked with one another. With the Internet Institute, the consortium combines the central aim of accompanying the digital connectivity as well as making use of design leeway. By this means, the digital participation and autonomy of the society is to be strengthened.  

Apart from other research collaborations from Munich, Hannover, Bochum and Karlsruhe, Berlin made it to the final round. The decision of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is expected in early summer of 2017.