This paper presents challenges in the design, development and dissemination of electronic and digital musical instruments as they were identified within a newly established interdisciplinary research project. These challenges, covering a range of theoretical, artistic and practical perspectives, fall into the categories Embracing Technology, Musicology-informed Design, Researching and Integrating Embodiment and Aesthetics and Artistic Values. We illustrate, how the research project provides interventions and measures to the community that are related to these challenges. Furthermore we intend to investigate conditions for the success of new musical instruments with respect to their design and both their scientific and artistic values.