At the BAB, ‘innovation’ and ‘digitalisation’ are already identified as cross-cutting issues.
Nevertheless, there is still no central, institutionalised unit that systematically identifies, develops and tests new ideas, methods and technologies (e.g. digitalisation, new data analyses, governance innovations) and, if successful, transfers them into regular research, consulting or administration.
The Innovation Lab aims to close this gap and serve as an incubator and interface between research, politics, administration, practice and external partners. It aims to help the BAB fulfil its role as a modern, forward-looking research institution and respond quickly to new challenges.
Objective
1. Experimental freedom
The lab offers a protected environment in which employees can try out new concepts—without immediate pressure to perform or risk, allowing creative and risky ideas to flourish.
2. Focus on future technologies
It identifies and tests technologies relevant to agricultural and spatial research, e.g., artificial intelligence, machine learning, data-based analyses, IoT sensor technology, digital tools, remote sensing, GIS innovation, and new forms of visualization (VR/AR).
3. Agile working methods
The Innovation Lab works with methods such as design thinking, Scrum, and Lean Startup. The aim is to quickly develop prototypes (MVPs), test hypotheses, and efficiently refine approaches that work.
4. Interdisciplinary and external collaboration
The lab combines IT expertise, socioeconomic research, agricultural science knowledge, and design/analysis skills. It cooperates on a project basis with universities, start-ups, administrative institutions, companies, and other research partners.
5. Building bridges to BAB departments
Successful concepts and prototypes are transferred to BAB's operational research areas. In this way, the lab acts as a driving force that embeds innovation in regular project work and in policy and practice recommendations.
Tasks
• Trend, technology, and innovation scouting
• Development and evaluation of new project ideas
• Implementation of pilot projects and experiments
• Technical and content-related prototype development
• Evaluation, scaling, and knowledge transfer
• Network building and support for internal innovation processes
Contribution to BAB
The Innovation Lab strengthens BAB's future viability, promotes the efficient use of new technologies, increases the speed of innovation, and supports a modern, agile organizational culture. It helps to make research results more practical and provides new impetus for agricultural and spatial policy decisions.
Schedule
Project start: 01/2026
Project end: 12/2028
