Jan Christian Ehler

Jan Christian Ehler is a German politician and long-serving Member of the European Parliament, representing the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) within the European People’s Party (EPP). Since his election in 2004, he has emerged as one of Europe’s most prominent voices on research and innovation policy, industrial development, and science-driven progress. Born and raised in Munich, Ehler holds a PhD in Political Science with a focus on US trade policy from Ludwig Maximilian University. He also studied journalism, political science, and macroeconomics at the same institution and pursued further studies at American University in Washington, D.C., where he worked as a research associate with the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services. During his academic journey, he interned with renowned political leaders including Otto Graf Lambsdorff and Senator John Heinz. Before entering European politics, Ehler held senior management positions in the private sector. He was Managing Director of the Biotechnology Centre in Hennigsdorf and led the Berlin-Brandenburg Testing and Technology Centre for rail transport. He also served in executive roles at the Aigner Group and worked with the German Press Agency ddp/ADN. Ehler’s political career began at the regional level as a member of the State Parliament of Brandenburg, where he served as spokesperson for industry and technology, and was an active member of committees on economic affairs and European policy. In the European Parliament, he is a long-standing member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE). He has served as one of the Parliament’s lead rapporteurs on Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme, and the European Innovation Council. Since 2022, he has chaired the Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA), shaping strategic direction for science policy in Europe. In addition to his committee work, Ehler plays a key role in the Parliament’s international engagement, having served on delegations for relations with South Asia, India, and the United States. He also chairs the European Parliament Intergroup on Creative Industries, promoting cultural innovation and cross-sector collaboration. Jan Christian Ehler is recognised as a bridge-builder between science, policy and industry, and a tireless advocate for a future-focused, innovation-driven European Union.