NRW is regarded as a world-class high-tech location and is known for having one of the densest research landscapes throughout Europe. A network of 68 universities, 14 Fraunhofer Institutes, 12 Max Planck Institutes, 10 Institutes of the "Leibniz Association", 3 Helmholtz centres (Research Center Jülich, German Aerospace Center DLR, German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases), the center of advanced european studies and research (caesar), 14 research facilities financed from NRW state funds, nearly 50 technology and business incubation centers, and 30 technology transfer units offers companies an excellent environment for research and development.
North Rhine-Westphalia is home to a large number of internationally recognized research facilities:
- With 4,400 employees, the Research Center Jülich is one of Europe's largest facilities, concentrating on problems in energy, the environment, health, and information technology.
- The German Aerospace Center in Cologne is the home of the German Space Agency and closely involved in NASA and ESA programs.
- 14 Fraunhofer Institutes of Applied Research work in fields that include microelectronics, logistics, laser technology, environmental technology, production technology, data processing, and information technology.
- 12 Max Planck Institutes in NRW focus on bioinorganic chemistry, iron and coal research, research into common goods, social research, mathematics, molecular physiology, neurological research, radio astronomy, vascular biology, plant breeding research, and biology of aging.
- The Leibniz Association is a scientific organisation comprised of 84 non-university research institutes and service facilities. The tasks performed by the institutes range from regional infrastructure research and economics through research projects in the area of social sciences to natural sciences, engineer-ing and environmental research. There are 10 institutes located in North Rhine-Westphalia.
In NRW there are also 57 special research areas at universities in NRW which are financed by the German Research Foundation.
Companies seeking contact to research facilities can use the following knowledge transfer database:
Nearly 50 technology and business incubation centers promote innovative start-ups, spin-offs and the settlement of high-tech companies. Around 1,840 companies with 12,400 employees are based in NRW's technology centers. They provide young firms with professional infrastructure facilities, e.g. seminar, laboratory and workshop rooms, telephone switchboards, and shared secretary's offices. Established networks with partners from industry and research ensure proximity to the market. 30 technology transfer units at the universities support academics with setting up business, trade fair presentations and patents.The technology and business incubation centers provide special offers for new tenants, bundling of innovation activities, technological know-how, synergy effects, business management support, professional infrastructure, close contact to universities and research facilities, laboratory, office and production space, closeness to the market and attractive working environment.
