"What is the impact of education? How does education affect us all?"–Prof. Dr. Hans-Günther Roßbach, Managing Director of the project, explained the research questions and objectives formulated by the NEPS scientists. Then, during various presentations on the surveys of newborns, on adult and further education, and on the NEPS research data center, Science Minister Heubisch learned about the current work carried out by NEPS. Heubisch emphasized that "innovative and excellent research is being carried out as part of the NEPS study–which opens up new possibilities for networking as a result of its interdisciplinary and international approach." This outstanding quality had been a decisive factor in the successful conversion of NEPS to an independent Leibniz Institute and, thus, in ensuring its permanent institutionalization.

As a long-standing supporter of NEPS, which was founded in 2009, Heubisch took the initiative in 2011 by submitting to the President of the Leibniz Association a request for institutionalization. In the short time since 2011, NEPS has now reached the point of being on the verge of concluding this process. At the end of August, Prof. Dr. Hans-Günther Roßbach officially submitted the application for inclusion in the Leibniz Association.

The President of the University of Bamberg, Prof. Dr. Dr. habil. Godehard Ruppert, is also convinced that NEPS is on its way to success: "We are very grateful and proud that we have managed to get this project off the ground in such a short time and in such excellent quality." As of January 1, 2014, the project will be promoted to become the first nonuniversity research facility in Upper Franconia.