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Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst
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Special research organizations outside the university play a vital role in Bavaria’s scientific community. Committed to finding solutions to the pressing issues of our time, these institutions are at the forefront of advancing research and technology.

Non-University Research Organizations

Bavaria is home to a number of highly regarded research institutions. These organizations form the backbone of collaborative research in the region thanks to close partnerships with the Bavarian universities. For example, doctoral candidates can do their PhD jointly at a university and research institute (with the university awarding the doctoral degree). Similarly, group leaders at research institutes can hold joint professor positions at universities and gain teaching experience there.

The Max Planck Society

Emphasis on Independent Basic Research

Throughout Europe, the Max Planck Society is one of the leading organizations for basic research in the natural sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Headquartered in Bavaria, the society is famous for its excellent research. The following institutes are located in Bavaria:

Helmholtz Association

Excellent Infrastructure and Specialized, Large-Scale Equipment

The Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organization. Committed to addressing challenges to society, science, and industry, its 19 independent research centers cooperate closely with universities and other strategic partners across six key fields: Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Information, Aeronautics, Space and Transport, and Matter. In Bavaria you can find:

Helmholtz Centers in Bavaria

Helmholtz Centers with Locations in Bavaria

Helmholtz Institutes on University Campuses

Helmholtz institutes have established centers on several university campuses—a sign of their profound and ongoing collaborative efforts to advance research in their fields.

Leibniz Association

Broad Range of Research Areas and Combined Applied and Basic Research

The Leibniz Association conducts basic and applied research in a range of disciplines including engineering, economics, the humanities, and the natural sciences. In Bavaria, there are eight independent research institutes—including important research museums.

Fraunhofer Gesellschaft

Europe’s Largest Organization for Applied Research

Europe’s largest application-oriented research organization, Fraunhofer drives the development of key technologies that respond to society’s needs. A primary feature of the organization is its close cooperation with business and industry. Its headquarters can be found in Munich.

Explore Fraunhofer’s research institutes and facilities and see where they are based.

The Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities

Specializing in Innovative, Long-Term Research

The Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities is primarily concerned with basic research and long-term projects in the humanities and natural sciences. The academy supports international and interdisciplinary collaborations and promotes the work of early-career scholars through programs like the Young Academy (Junges Kolleg). In addition to leading around 60 research projects, the academy is home to the Commission for Bavarian History (Kommission für bayerische Landesgeschichte) and operates three institutes: 

More Non-University Research Institutes

Humanities- and Science-Based Research at Bavarian Institutes

There are many more research institutions throughout Bavaria. Below is a non-exhaustive list of some of these facilities.

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