I'm not sure where you heard that there are no scientific projects in Germany but check the pages of Max-Planck-Society, Helmholtz Association and Fraunhofer-Society at least to get a current view. They should be spending 5-10 billion Euro per year on research in for example plasma physics (Wendelstein 7-X fusion research experiment in Greifswald for example), particle physics (DESY, GSI), applied research (Fraunhofer society) and cooperate with others to build things like the European free election laser (XFEL, at DESY).