Research and development are the key to long-term competitiveness for many companies. The current results of the RIS monitoring show that more and more Thuringian companies are successfully pursuing this path.
Science & Research in Thuringia
Thuringia has a broad spectrum of excellent scientific and research institutions. These include, in addition to 14 universities and (technical) colleges, particularly 19 non-university institutions of renowned German scientific communities.
Excellent research environment
Thuringia is a top location for science and innovation. In addition to 14 universities and universities of applied sciences, 19 non-university research institutions of renowned scientific communities – including the Max Planck Society, Fraunhofer Society , Leibniz Association, Helmholtz Association – the research landscape. This is complemented by eight industry-oriented research institutes and development service providers, which together employ around 10,000 scientists and researchers.
Research focuses particularly on key technologies such as optics/photonics, automotive, mechanical engineering/metal processing, microsystems and nanotechnology, sensor technology, ICT, and life sciences. Through close collaboration with small and medium-sized enterprises, practical innovations emerge that strengthen Thuringia as a technology location both nationally and internationally.
Use our Thuringian R&D Portal to get an overview of relevant research fields and institutions. We are happy to help you establish suitable Contacte with scientists.
Thuringian R&D Portal
Research has a tradition in Thuringia
1872
Carl Zeiss and Ernst Abbe produce the first mathematically calculated microscope
1919
State Bauhaus founded in Weimar (school for art, design and architecture)
1928
BMW produces first car in Eisenach
1976
Zeiss develops the MKF 6 multispectral camera for photos of the Earth's surface from space
2004
Prof. Karlheinz Brandenburg, developer of the mp3 standard, heads the Fraunhofer Institute IDMT in Ilmenau
2008
Founding of the Center for Innovation Competence SEPTOMICS (Sepsis Research)
2008
Sensors from Jena-Optronik ensure successful docking maneuvers at the ISS
2013
UV sensors and photodiodes from Jena can be found in the NASA Mars Rover “Curiosity”
2017
DLR Institute for Data Science establishes a research institute for "Smart and Big Data“ in Jena
Thuringian Innovation Strategy
Thuringia is strategically strengthening its innovative power. The Thuringian Innovation Strategy promotes the development of promising specialization fields:
- Industrial production and systems,
- Sustainable and intelligent mobility and logistics,
- Healthy living and health economy,
- Sustainable energy and resource use as well as
- Information and communication technologies, innovative and production-related services as a cross-sectional field.
The implementation is coordinated by Innovativ Thüringen at LEG Thüringen and thus specifically supports the transition towards a sustainable, competitive economy.
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