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 69 universities, 11 Fraunhofer Institutes, 12 Max-Planck-Institutes, 11 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), 11 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 4,600 employees, the Research Center Jülich is one of Europe's largest facilities, concentrating on problems in energy, the environment, health, and information technology.
- Aeronautics, space, transport, energy and security are the research areas on which the German Aerospace Center (DLR)German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Cologne focuses in its eight research facilities. The backbone of research and development is formed by large-scale testing facilities such as wind tunnels, powertrain and material testbeds, as well as a high-flux solar furnace. The DLR employs around 1,400 people in Cologne.
- Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are the scourges of an ageing society. Research into these diseases is the task of the newly founded German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Bonn under the umbrella of the Helmholtz Association.
- 12 Max-Planck-Institutes have the focal areas bioinorganic chemistry, the biology of ageing, iron and coal research, research on collective goods, social research, mathematics, molecular biomedicine, molecular physiology, neurological research, plant protection research and radio astronomy
- 11 Fraunhofer Institutes of Applied Research, financed jointly by the national and state governments, work in fields that include information technology, laser technology, logistics, microelectronics, molecular biology, production technology, software and environmental technology.
- 11 institutes of the "Leibniz Association": The Wissenschaftsgemeinschaft ("scientific community") Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (WGL) is an association of currently 86 research facilities, which are organized in 5 sections according to scientific areas. They employ approx. 14,000 staff, of whom around 6,500 are scientists.
Companies seeking
contact to research facilities can use the following
knowledge transfer database:
www.innovation.nrw.deNearly 50 technology and business incubation centers promote innovative start-ups, spin-offs and the settlement of high-tech companies. Around 1,900 companies with 12,500 employees are based in NRW's technology centers. They provide young firms with professional infrastructure facilities.
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.
