Partners and Networks
One of the main goals of the Thuringian Innovation Strategy is the regular exchange between business, science, politics and other Thuringian stakeholders. Well-connected interfaces for innovation in various sectors thus emerge. Also network in Thuringia and find suitable partners for your projects!.
Network in Thuringia and find suitable partners for your projects!
Economy
Companies
Initiating and expanding networks and collaborations between companies and research institutions is one of our tasks.
With the Company and Technology Database, we offer a unique tool for obtaining information about Thuringian companies, research institutions, universities, and institutes. Over 4,000 profile entries are available to interested parties to expand their Contacte, seek cooperation partners, or find providers of specific goods and services.
Cluster and Network Organizations
We support the Thuringian cluster and network organizations through active involvement in the RIS process. Through cross-clustering activities such as organizing cross-specialization events and participating in the Cross-Cluster Initiative Thuringia (CCIT) we connect the actors with each other, strengthen cooperation, and manage the implementation process of the RIS Thuringia. The organization of workshops for business model development and the ESCA Labeling are central aspects of professionalization.
The close collaboration between business and science is one of the success factors of Thuringia's economic development. More and more companies, associations, and research institutions are joining forces with other relevant actors to form networks in order to jointly drive the development of their industry.
Science
The Thuringian research landscape thrives on the close collaboration of various actors from science and industry. Its high scientific level is based on excellent scientific and research institutions. These include the state's nine universities, non-university institutions of renowned German scientific communities such as the Max Planck Society, the Fraunhofer Society, the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Scientific Community, and the Helmholtz Association, as well as state research institutions. Industry-oriented research institutes and development service providers complement the spectrum of research institutions in the field of applied research and development. They are specifically tailored to the requirements of small and medium-sized enterprises in Thuringia.
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Universities
Thuringia has a well-differentiated, diverse higher education landscape. It includes four universities, four universities of applied sciences, a university of music, and a dual university. There are also private higher education institutions. In the winter semester 2024/2025, around 153,000 students (including students at locations outside Thuringia) were enrolled.
Friedrich Schiller University Jena
Technical University of Ilmenau
Ernst-Abbe University of Applied Sciences (EAH) Jena University of Applied Sciences
Erfurt University of Applied Sciences
Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences
Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences
University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar
Duale Hochschule Gera-Eisenach
HMU Health and Medical University GmbH
IU International University of Applied Sciences GmbH - IU University of Applied Sciences
SRH University of Health GmbH - University of Applied Health Sciences
Thuringian University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration (VFHS)
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Non-University Research
A pillar of the Thuringian research landscape is non-university research. In Thuringia, a large number of institutions of the Max Planck Society, the Fraunhofer Society, the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Scientific Community, and the Helmholtz Association have now established themselves. These are supplemented by non-university research institutes with state participation. In many cases, there are close cooperations with universities; for example, professorships and institutes are linked through joint appointments.
A total of 16 non-university institutions work here. The institutions include:
Thuringian Institutes of the Fraunhofer Society
Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF
Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS), Hermsdorf site
Battery Innovation and Technology Center BITC at Fraunhofer IKTS
Fraunhofer IOSB - Institute for Applied Systems Technology (AST)
Fraunhofer Project Center for Microelectronic and Optical Systems for Biomedicine (MEOS)
Thuringian Institutes of the Max Planck Society
Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology
Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History
Thuringian Institutes of the Leibniz Association
Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute e.V. (FLI)
Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology / Hans Knöll Institute (HKI)
Leibniz Institute for Photonic Technologies e.V. (IPHT)
Senckenberg Society for Nature Research Research Station for Quaternary Paleontology
Thuringian Institutes of the Leibniz Association
German Aerospace Center e.V. (DLR) Institute for Data Science
GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research GmbH Helmholtz Institute Jena
- State Research Institutes
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Innovation Centers
In recent years, various innovation centers have emerged in Thuringia. The centers are oriented towards the current market needs of Thuringian companies and bundle application-oriented research from the environment of universities and research institutions. According to the needs of the Thuringian economy, the centers are equipped with the technical equipment necessary for contract research and services.
Thuringian Center for Mechanical Engineering (ThZM)
Thuringian Innovation Center for Mobility (ThIMo)
Center for Energy and Environmental Chemistry Jena - CEEC Jena
Innovation Center for Quantum Optics and Sensorics (InQuoSens)
Thuringian Innovation Center for Medical Technology Solutions (ThIMEDOP)
Thuringian Innovation Center for Recyclable Materials (ThIWert)
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Technology Centers
Application Centers
To accelerate the translation of research results into key technologies, the Free State provides specific application centers for start-ups and innovative companies. Application centers offer innovative companies the opportunity to use special facilities such as laboratories, clean rooms, workshops, and other services cost-effectively and according to their needs. This shortens the path from product idea to market maturity, and costly equipment for new developments does not have to be borne solely by the respective company.
There are currently 5 application centers in the Free State:
Application Center for Microtechnology Erfurt (AZM)
bauhaus FACTORY - Center for Creative Industries Weimar
Centrum für Intelligentes Bauen Weimar (CIB Weimar)
Technology and Start-up Centers
In 7 technology and start-up centers at 9 locations, young companies in Thuringia find the support they need for their economic development. The centers offer needs-based infrastructure with modern offices, access to data highways, and comprehensive consulting and service offerings. All technology and start-up centers are integrated into networks. Most are also located in close proximity to Thuringian universities.
Thuringian Technology and Startup Centers:
BIC Nordthüringen GmbH (Locations Nordhausen and Sondershausen
Founder and Innovation Center Stedtfeld GmbH (GIS)
Innovations- und Gründerzentrum GmbH Rudolstadt (IGZ)
Technology and Business Incubation Center Gera GmbH
Technology and Start-up Center Ilmenau GmbH
Technology and Start-up Promotion Company Schmalkalden/Dermbach GmbH Southwest Thuringia
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Industry-Oriented Research
In Thuringia, a broad, cross-sector network of business-oriented research institutions and R&D service providers has emerged. The institutes support companies in research and development projects as strong partners.
In addition, a number of companies offer special development services for companies and other institutions or related services (analytics, training and further education, technical testing) as part of their service profile, but are not explicitly research institutions.
Selected research institutions and development service providers:
CiS Research Institute for Microsensorics GmbH
fzmb GmbH Research Center for Medical Technology and Biotechnology
GFE - Society for Manufacturing Technology and Development Schmalkalden e. V.
HySON - Institute for Applied Hydrogen Research Sonneberg gGmbH
IAB – Institute for Applied Building Research Weimar gGmbH
ifw Jena | Günter Köhler Institute for Joining Technology and Materials Testing GmbH
INNOVENT e.V. Technology Development Jena
Robert Boyle Institute for Biohydrogen and Environmental Research e.V.
TITK Thuringian Institute for Textile and Plastics Research e.V.
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Further Partners
BUND Landesverband Thüringen e.V.
Enterprise Europe Network Thuringia (EEN Thuringia)
Research and Technology Network Thuringia e.V.
Office of the State Rectors' Conference
Chamber of Industry and Commerce Erfurt
Chamber of Industry and Commerce Ostthüringen zu Gera
Chamber of Industry and Commerce South Thuringia
Thuringian State Development Company mbH
State Women's Council Thuringia
Mittelstand-Digital Center Ilmenau
Steinbeis Foundation for Economic Development
Foundation for Technology, Innovation and Research Thuringia
Thuringian Agency for the Creative Industries
Thuringian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Rural Areas
