Bosch to Invest $10 Million to Support Local Higher Education and Research Initiatives

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., May 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of the company's 125th anniversary activities, Bosch is investing approximately $10 million (7 million euros) over eight years to support local universities and energy research projects in North America. Part of a global initiative, the Bosch Energy Research Network (BERN) is a project that works jointly with leading North American universities to achieve lasting developments in research and accelerate progress in the important fields of the environment, energy and mobility. An expansion of the company's higher education funding, BERN consists of two components: research grants and internships. With this project, Bosch underscores its commitment to social responsibility, while offering students excellent prospects for the future.

"Bosch's support of BERN is an investment in future eco-friendly solutions and it provides opportunities for us to partner with academia to strengthen research efforts which will ultimately enhance society," said Peter Marks, chairman, president and CEO, Robert Bosch LLC and member of the Bosch Board of Management.  

A global effort

A leading supplier of technology and services for 125 years, Bosch uses its innovative strength to provide technical solutions to global environmental challenges. In 2011, the company will spend over $5 billion (some 4 billion euros) on global R&D activities. Approximately 45 percent of Bosch's R&D budget is focused on products that help to enhance energy efficiency and protect the environment. The BERN project is a part of the Bosch InterCampus program, a global initiative in which the company invests about $70 million (50 million euros) to provide support for universities and research programs focused on sustainable energy usage in Germany, China, India and the U.S. over the next ten years.

Research grants to optimize U.S. energy usage

Environmental protection is also a top priority for Bosch in the U.S.  Among the 34,500 Bosch researchers and developers globally, 1,800 are located in North America. The BERN project will fund 20 university research grants, with the goal of developing the best transformative energy technologies for series production.  Funding will focus on several topics including energy conversion through solar energy, wind power and photovoltaics, storage technologies for transportation and utilities, and usage efficiency through microgrids and cooling systems. The research grants, each at a maximum of $125,000, will be awarded competitively on a two-year duration basis. For the project's initial phase, the following institutions are invited to participate: California Institute of Technology; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Stanford University; University of California, Berkeley; and the University of Michigan. Other universities may be considered at a later phase.  

"As a technology company and leader in innovation," Marks said, "Bosch strives to significantly reduce energy consumption and environmental impact in the U.S. by investing in and supporting the development of alternative energy solutions."

Bosch internships provide opportunities for future leaders

Bosch's continued commitment to innovation and R&D help create an attractive work environment for graduates worldwide. In effort to educate and provide opportunities for students to participate in the development of technologies that enhance quality of life, Bosch will offer 200 internships to high-potential university seniors and graduate students, in the general area of energy topics.  Intended to stimulate a dynamic transfer of knowledge and experience, internship programs will be offered to some 13 universities located near key Bosch locations in North America.  This effort also reinforces Bosch's commitment to associate development.  Each year, Bosch globally invests more than $250 million (some 200 million euros) in enhancing associates' skills, through training and apprenticeship programs, cross-functional transfers and international opportunities.

With the Bosch InterCampus Program and BERN project, Bosch has created a unique outlet to actively engage university students and scientists in shaping tomorrow's sustainable energy technologies and their usage in the region.  For further information on the project and updates on its activities, visit www.bernprogram.com.

In the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, industrial drives and control technology, power tools, security and communication systems, packaging technology, thermotechnology, household appliances, solar energy, healthcare telemedicine and software innovations. Having established a regional presence in 1906, Bosch employs over 22,000 associates in more than 100 locations, with reported sales of $8.8 billion in fiscal 2010.  For more information, visit www.boschusa.com.

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. In the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology, some 285,000 associates generated sales of 47.3 billion euros ($62.7 billion) in fiscal 2010. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 350 subsidiaries and regional companies in over 60 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. Bosch spent 3.8 billion euros (approximately $5 billion) for research and development in 2010, and applied for over 3,800 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial.  Bosch is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2011.  Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com, and www.125.bosch.com.

SOURCE The Bosch Group