The Saxon State Ministry of Science, Culture and Tourism unites and coordinates the areas of social life for the Free State of Saxony in the areas of science and research, culture and tourism.

The tasks of the SMWK include:

• Promotion of research and teaching in universities  (universities, art schools, universities of applied sciences, vocational academy)
• Maintenance of art and culture  (museums, libraries, theaters, orchestras) and tourism (new since 20 December 2019)
• Funding of non-university research institutions
  (e.g. Max Planck, Helmholtz, Leibniz and Fraunhofer Institutes)
•  Protection of cultural property

Organizations, associations and institutes can receive financial or institutional support for the implementation of their projects and events (for example, through the Saxon State Office for Museums).
In the area of ​​art and culture, this includes projects from music, the performing and visual arts, literature, film, socioculture, Sorbian culture and exhibitions at museums.

Research institutions and universities in the business area of ​​the Saxon State Ministry for Science, Culture and Tourism are supported by their own project funding in the area of ​​basic and application-oriented research. In addition, the research institutions and universities can participate in the program to promote the research infrastructure with application-oriented goals.