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Various kinds of institutions provide opportunities for doing research. Traditionally, the universities form the backbone of Germany’s science and research system, while major non-university research organisations, such as the Max Planck Society, Helmholtz Association, Leibniz Association, and Fraunhofer Gesellschaft provide another pillar of German research. Besides these major players, industrial research and development also plays a key role in Germany, as do the universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen).

General information

An online "Research Explorer" delivers a unique overview of the major science and research organisations in Germany. This online database gives you access to over 17,000 German university and non-university research organisations and institutes. Research Explorer

Doing research at university institutes

Germany has 356 universities, of which 234 are public, state-recognised higher education institutions, 83 private state-recognised institutions, 39 church maintained state-recognised institutions, 6 universities of education, and 183 Fachhochschulen (universities of applied sciences). Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767-1835) had a great influence on the German university system by advocating the principle of the “unity of research and teaching”. Today, Germany's universities cover a broad range of research activities, including basic research, applied research and development research. The top-class science and research performed at these centres of learning thrives on intensive cooperation between scientists, academics, research organisations and institutes, both at home and abroad.

The Higher Education Compass developed by the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) is the most comprehensive search engine and covers all the universities and higher education institutions, including technical universities, universities of education, universities of applied sciences and colleges or universities of art, music or film and church maintained colleges. www.higher-education-compass.de

Another attractive option is provided by the Collaborative Research Centres (SFBs). These are funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation – DFG). SFBs are long-term, but temporary, university research centres in which outstanding PhD students, scientists and researchers work together within cross-disciplinary research programmes. www.dfg.de

Non-university research organisations

There are four major research organisations in Germany which operate independently outside the university sector:

• Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften (Max Planck Society)
  More than 4,000 scientists and researchers work on projects at the 80 or so research institutes of the Max Planck Society (MPG). They perform basic research of the highest quality at the frontiers of knowledge and provide competitive research conditions for excellent scientists and scholars from all around the world.  www.mpg.de
• Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft Deutscher Forschungszentren (Helmholtz Association)
  The Helmholtz Association contributes to solving the grand challenges which face society, science and industry by performing cutting-edge research in strategic programmes. With its large-scale facilities and scientific infrastructure, the Helmholtz Association researches systems of great complexity. www.helmholtz.de
• Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (FhG)
  The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (FhG) has more than 80 research units, including 58 Fraunhofer Institutes at 40 different locations and undertakes applied research of direct value to private and public enterprise and of wide benefit to society. www.fraunhofer.de
• Leibniz-Gemeinschaft (Leibniz Science Association)
  The 86 institutes of the Leibniz Science Association do demand-oriented, interdisciplinary research. Numerous cooperation agreements exist with industry, the public administration, and politics. The Leibniz Association also cooperates closely with the universities. www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de

Industrial research

German companies rank among Europe's most innovative enterprises. The proportion of industrial investment in R&D is particularly high and accounts for two-thirds of all research done in Germany. Companies cooperate particularly closely in the field of applied research, working together with globally operating Fraunhofer Institutes and the German Federation of Industrial Research Associations "Otto von Guericke" (AiF).

• German Federation of Industrial Research Associations – AiF 
• Federation of German Industries – BDI 
• Fraunhofer Gesellschaft – FhG 
• German Chamber of Industry and Commerce – DIHK

The Academies of Sciences and Humanities

The Academies of Sciences and Humanities offer further research opportunities. Their central task is to coordinate and support long-term basic research projects and to develop and cultivate interdisciplinary dialogue. For further information please visit the website of the "Union of the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities". www.akademienunion.de