Sustainability of CRCs is one of the most controversially discussed issues. Having in mind that CRCs should provide structuring effects, some experts are arguing that after an adequate life span of a CRC they are simply not needed any more. Others are of the opinion that CRC continue to provide public goods and that, therefore, at least some degree of funding should also be foreseen for more mature CRCs. Moreover, after funding CRCs can also continue their operations by using funds from non-CRC research programmes.

The following considerations might help to find your position towards the sustainability issue:

• Define the horizon of the programme to match the expected lifespan of the CRCs
• Is endless sustainability required or natural for a CRC in a particular sector?
• Define public and private tasks of the CRCs. If CRCs also address public tasks then there should also be public funding.
• Try to recognise at an early stage in the life of a particular CRC whether it is likely to continue (use evaluations to probe for future plans) & avoid artificially prolonging their lifespan
• Typical lifespan of CRCs is 3 – 10 years
• Consider innovative ways which would allow CRCs to accrue funds for use in their post-funding phase
• Beware of too much focus on sustainability rather than on current quality
• CRCs work in the high risk areas of research landscape, requiring government support – Sustainability may be a secondary issue, but a major sign of success