The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is the leading organization for institutes of applied research in Europe, undertaking contract research on behalf of industry, the service sector and the government. Commissioned by customers in industry, it provides rapid, economical and immediately applicable solutions to technical and organizational problems. Within the framework of the European Union's technology programs, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is actively involved in industrial consortiums that seek technical solutions to improve the competitiveness of European industry.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft also assumes a major role in strategic research: Commissioned and funded by Federal and Laender ministries and governments, the organization undertakes future-oriented research projects which contribute to the development of innovations in spheres of major public concern and in key technologies. Typical research fields include communications, energy, microelectronics, manufacturing, transport and the environment.

At present, the organization maintains 56 research establishments at locations throughout Germany. A staff of some 11,000, the majority of whom are qualified scientists and engineers, generate the annual research volume of around 900 million euro. Of this amount, over 750 million euro is derived from contract research. Research contracts on behalf of industry and publicly financed research projects generate approximately two thirds of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft's contract revenue. One third is contributed by the Federal and Lder governments, as a means of enabling the institutes to work on solutions to problems that are expected to attain economic and social relevance in the next five to ten years.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft was founded in 1949 and is a recognized non-profit organization. Its members include well-known companies and private patrons who contribute to the promotion of its application-oriented policy.
The organization takes its name from Joseph von Fraunhofer (1787-1826), the successful Munich researcher, inventor and entrepreneur.

The names of the Fraunhofer Institutes in alphabetical order:

Algorithms and Scientific Computing - SCAI
Applied Information Technology - FIT
Applied Materials Research - IFAM Near-Net-Shape Production Technologies Department and Bonding Technology and Polymers Department
Applied Optics and Precision Engineering - IOF
Applied Polymer Research - IAP
Applied Solid State Physics - IAF
Atmospheric Environmental Research - IFU
Autonomous intelligent Systems - AIS
Biomedical Engineering - IBMT
Building Physics - IBP
Ceramic Technologies and Sintered Materials - IKTS
Chemical Technology - ICT
Communication Systems - ESK
Computer Architecture and Software Technology - FIRST
Computer Graphics Research - IGD
Electron and Plasma Technology - FEP
Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology - IUCT
Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology - UMSICHT
Experimental Software Engineering - IESE
Factory Operation and Automation - IFF
High-Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach-Institut - EMI
Industrial Engineering - IAO
Information and Dataprocessing - IITB
Information Center for Regional Planning and Building Construction - IRB
Integrated Circuits - IIS Applied Electronics Department and Device Technology Department
Integrated Publication and Information Systems - IPSI
Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology - IGB
Laser Technology - ILT
Machine Tools and Forming Technology - IWU
Manufacuring Engineering and Automation - IPA
Material and Beam Technology - IWS
Material Flow and Logistics - IML
Mechanics of Materials - IWM
Media Communication - IMK
Microelectronic Circuits and Systems - IMS Dresden, Duisburg and Munich
Non-Destructive Testing - IZFP
Open Communication Systems - FOKUS
Patent Center for German Research - PST
Physical Measurement Techniques - IPM
Process Engineering and Packaging - IVV
Production Systems and Design Techology - IPK
Production Technology - IPT
Reliability and Microintegration - IZM
Secure Telecooperation - SIT
Silicate Research - ISC
Silicon Techonology - ISIT
Software and Systems Engineering - ISST
Solar Energy Systems - ISE
Structural Durability - LBF
Systems and Innovation Research - ISI
Technological Trend Analysis - INT
Technology Development Group - TEG
Thin Films and Surface Engineering - IST
Toxicology and Aerosol Research - ITA
Transport and Infrastructure Systems - IVI
Wood Research, Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut - WKI

Editor: Catherine