Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

Research Dedicated to the Future

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, based in Germany, is the world’s leading applied research organization. Prioritizing key future-relevant technologies and commercializing its findings in business and industry, it plays a major role in the innovation process. A trailblazer and trendsetter in innovative developments and research excellence, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft supports science and industry with inspiring ideas and sustainable scientific and technological solutions and is helping shape our society and our future.

At the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, interdisciplinary research teams work with partners from industry and government to turn pioneering ideas into innovative technologies, coordinate and implement system-relevant research projects and strengthen the German and European economies with a commitment to value creation that is based on ethical values. International collaboration with outstanding research partners and companies from around the world brings the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft into direct contact with the most prominent scientific communities and most influential economic regions.

Founded in 1949, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft now operates 76 institutes and research units throughout Germany. Currently around 30,800 employees, predominantly scientists and engineers, work with an annual research budget of about 3.0 billion euros, 2.6 billion euros of which is designated as contract research. Around two thirds of Fraunhofer contract research revenue is generated from industry contracts and publicly funded research projects. The German federal and state governments contribute around another third as base funding, enabling the Fraunhofer institutes to develop solutions now to problems that will drastically impact industry and society in the near future.

The impact of applied research goes far beyond the direct benefits to the client. Fraunhofer institutes strengthen companies’ performance and efficiency and promote the acceptance of new technologies within society while also training the future generation of scientists and engineers that the economy so urgently requires.

As a scientific organization, the key to our success is highly motivated employees engaged in cutting-edge research. Fraunhofer therefore offers its researchers the opportunity to undertake independent, creative and, at the same time, targeted work. We help our employees develop professional and personal skills that will enable them to take up positions of responsibility within Fraunhofer itself or at universities, within industry and in society at large. Students involved in projects at Fraunhofer institutes have excellent career prospects on account of the practical vocational training they enjoy and the opportunity to interact with contract partners at an early stage in their career.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is a recognized non-profit organization named after Joseph von Fraunhofer (1787–1826), an illustrious researcher, inventor and entrepreneur hailing from Munich.

Figures as of: March 2023

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Business modell of Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft