The Berlin and Potsdam R&D ecosystem

Berlin and Potsdam is ranked number 18 of 392 R&D ecosystems in the 311 Institute directory, with 82 labs within about 120 kilometres: 53 research institutes, 16 government, 7 corporate and 6 university. Leading organisations include Leibniz Association, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Max Planck Society and Helmholtz Association, focused on genetics, atomic and molecular physics, and optics, molecular biology and electrical and electronic engineering.

Part of the 311 Institute Global R&D Labs Directory. Compiled by Matthew Griffin. Last updated 7 October 2026.

#18world rank

82labs

48organisations

1country

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All 82 labs

Lab and organisation	Location	Type and sector	Focus	Founded
Bayer Research and Innovation CenterBayer	Berlin, Germany	Corporate Healthcare and life sciences	Drug discovery, Cell and gene therapy
Leaps by BayerBayer	Berlin, Germany	Corporate Healthcare and life sciences	Breakthrough life science investment	2018
Deutsche Bank LabsDeutsche Bank	Berlin, Germany	Corporate Financial services	Fintech	2016
T-LabsDeutsche Telekom	Berlin, Germany	Corporate Telecommunications	Networks, AI, Quantum	2004
Lufthansa Innovation HubLufthansa	Berlin, Germany	Corporate Travel and hospitality	Travel technology	2014
Porsche Digital LabPorsche	Berlin, Germany	Corporate Automotive and mobility	Digital products	2016
Zalando ResearchZalando	Berlin, Germany	Corporate Consumer and retail	Fashion AI	2017
German Center for Integration and Migration ResearchBundesministerium für Bildung, Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend	Berlin, Germany	Government Social sciences and humanities	Sociology and Political Science, Demography, Political Science and International Relations	2017
Federal Institute for Risk AssessmentBundesministerium für Landwirtschaft, Ernährung und Heimat	Berlin, Germany	Government Agriculture and food	Food Science, Cancer Research, Molecular Medicine	2002
Federal Institute for Health Protection of Consumers and Veterinary MedicineFederal Institute for Health Protection of Consumers and Veterinary Medicine	Berlin, Germany	Government Agriculture and food	Small Animals, Food Science, Immunology	1994
Fraunhofer FOKUS (Open Communication Systems)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft	Berlin, Germany	Government Telecommunications	Networks, Digital public services
Fraunhofer HHI (Telecommunications, Heinrich-Hertz-Institut)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft	Berlin, Germany	Government Telecommunications	6G, Video coding
Fraunhofer IAP (Applied Polymer Research)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft	Potsdam, Germany	Government Chemicals and materials	Polymers
Fraunhofer IEG (Energy Infrastructures and Geotechnologies)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft	Cottbus, Germany	Government Energy and resources	Geothermal, Hydrogen
Fraunhofer IPK (Production Systems and Design Technology)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft	Berlin, Germany	Government Industrials and manufacturing	Manufacturing
Fraunhofer IZM (Reliability and Microintegration)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft	Berlin, Germany	Government Technology	Semiconductor packaging
GFZ Helmholtz Centre for GeosciencesHelmholtz Association	Potsdam, Germany	Government Environment and climate	Geosciences	1992
Helmholtz-Zentrum BerlinHelmholtz Association	Berlin, Germany	Government Energy and resources	Solar energy, Materials	2009
Max Delbrück CenterHelmholtz Association	Berlin, Germany	Government Healthcare and life sciences	Molecular medicine	1992
Helmholtz Association of German Research CentresHelmholtz Association of German Research Centres	Berlin, Germany	Government Technology	Information Systems, Information Systems and Management, Management Information Systems	1995
Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience BerlinNational Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience	Berlin, Germany	Government Healthcare and life sciences	Cognitive Neuroscience, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Statistical and Nonlinear Physics	2004
Mathematical Research Data InitiativeNationale Forschungsdateninfrastruktur	Berlin, Germany	Government Technology	Computational Theory and Mathematics, Information Systems, Artificial Intelligence	2021
Robert Koch InstituteRobert Koch Institute	Berlin, Germany	Government Healthcare and life sciences	Modeling and Simulation, Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology	1891
Einstein Center Digital FutureBerlin University of the Arts	Berlin, Germany	University Technology	Computer Networks and Communications, Information Systems, Ocean Engineering	2017
Weizenbaum InstituteBerlin University of the Arts	Berlin, Germany	University Social sciences and humanities	Safety Research, Communication, Law	2017
Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin BerlinCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin	Berlin, Germany	University Healthcare and life sciences	Genetics, Information Systems, Infectious Diseases	2013
Institute for Bee ResearchHumboldt-Universität zu Berlin	Hohen Neuendorf, Germany	University Agriculture and food	Insect Science, Genetics, Animal Science and Zoology	1923
Berlin Institute for the Foundations of Learning and DataTechnische Universität Berlin	Berlin, Germany	University Technology	Artificial Intelligence, Materials Chemistry, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics	2019
Hasso Plattner InstituteUniversity of Potsdam	Potsdam, Germany	University Technology	Computer Networks and Communications, Management Information Systems, Software	1998
Berlin Center for Epidemiology and Health ResearchBerlin Center for Epidemiology and Health Research	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism	1990
Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity ResearchBerlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Molecular Biology, Genetics, Plant Science	2012
Berlin-Brandenburger Centrum für Regenerative TherapienBerlin-Brandenburger Centrum für Regenerative Therapien	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine, Genetics, Immunology	2006
Center for Stroke Research BerlinCenter for Stroke Research Berlin	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Epidemiology, Neurology, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging	2005
Clinical Research Center for Hair and Skin ScienceClinical Research Center for Hair and Skin Science	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Dermatology, Urology, Pharmaceutical Science
German Centre for Cardiovascular ResearchDeutsche Zentren der Gesundheitsforschung	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging, Genetics	2011
Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, ZentraleDeutsches Archäologisches Institut, Zentrale	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Social sciences and humanities	Paleontology, Archeology, Information Systems	1832
Einstein Center for Neurosciences BerlinEinstein Center for Neurosciences Berlin	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Cognitive Neuroscience, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Neurology	2016
Federal Institute For Materials Research and TestingFederal Institute For Materials Research and Testing	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Chemicals and materials	Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty, Analytical Chemistry, Surfaces, Coatings and Films	1954
Forschungsverbund BerlinForschungsverbund Berlin	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Basic science	Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Condensed Matter Physics, Materials Chemistry	1992
Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer ResearchFraunhofer-Gesellschaft	Potsdam, Germany	Research institute Chemicals and materials	Organic Chemistry, Surfaces, Coatings and Films, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials	1992
Fraunhofer Institute for Open Communication SystemsFraunhofer-Gesellschaft	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Technology	Computer Networks and Communications, Artificial Intelligence, Electrical and Electronic Engineering	1988
Fraunhofer Institute for Production Systems and Design TechnologyFraunhofer-Gesellschaft	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Industrials and manufacturing	Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Control and Systems Engineering	1976
Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and MicrointegrationFraunhofer-Gesellschaft	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Industrials and manufacturing	Electrical and Electronic Engineering	1993
Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich Hertz InstituteFraunhofer-Gesellschaft	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Industrials and manufacturing	Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Signal Processing, Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition	1928
German Centre of GerontologyGerman Centre of Gerontology	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Social sciences and humanities	Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology, General Health Professions, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health	1974
Research Institute for Sustainability at GFZGFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences	Potsdam, Germany	Research institute Environment and climate	Global and Planetary Change, Atmospheric Science, Economics and Econometrics	2009
IGES InstitutIGES Institut	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Public policy and analysis	Economics and Econometrics, Health Information Management, Finance	1980
Institut für Klinische Forschung und EntwicklungInstitut für Klinische Forschung und Entwicklung	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Epidemiology, Physiology	2003
Institut Kardiale Diagnostik und TherapieInstitut Kardiale Diagnostik und Therapie	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Molecular Biology	2002
Institute for Advanced StudyInstitute for Advanced Study	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Multidisciplinary research	Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Genetics, Experimental and Cognitive Psychology	1981
Institute for Food and Environmental ResearchInstitute for Food and Environmental Research	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Agriculture and food	Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics	1991
Institute of Inland Fisheries in Potsdam-SacrowInstitute of Inland Fisheries in Potsdam-Sacrow	Potsdam, Germany	Research institute Environment and climate	Nature and Landscape Conservation, Aquatic Science, Global and Planetary Change	1922
Centre Marc BlochInstituts Français de Recherche à L'Étranger	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Social sciences and humanities	Literature and Literary Theory, History, Sociology and Political Science	1992
Ferdinand-Braun-InstitutLeibniz Association	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Industrials and manufacturing	Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Condensed Matter Physics, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics	1992
German Rheumatism Research CentreLeibniz Association	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Rheumatology, Immunology, Hematology	1988
Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape ResearchLeibniz Association	Müncheberg, Germany	Research institute Agriculture and food	Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Soil Science, Global and Planetary Change	1920
Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and BioeconomyLeibniz Association	Potsdam, Germany	Research institute Agriculture and food	Plant Science, Building and Construction, Biomedical Engineering
Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics PotsdamLeibniz Association	Potsdam, Germany	Research institute Space	Astronomy and Astrophysics, Instrumentation, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics	1874
Leibniz Institute for Crystal GrowthLeibniz Association	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Basic science	Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Materials Chemistry, Electrical and Electronic Engineering	1992
Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife ResearchLeibniz Association	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Environment and climate	Ecology, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Genetics	1973
Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland FisheriesLeibniz Association	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Environment and climate	Environmental Chemistry, Nature and Landscape Conservation, Ecology	1992
Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental CropsLeibniz Association	Großbeeren, Germany	Research institute Agriculture and food	Plant Science, Biochemistry, Soil Science	1924
Leibniz-Zentrum Moderner OrientLeibniz Association	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Social sciences and humanities	Sociology and Political Science, Political Science and International Relations, Anthropology	1996
Max-Born-Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse SpectroscopyLeibniz Association	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Basic science	Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nuclear and High Energy Physics	1991
Paul Drude Institute for Solid State ElectronicsLeibniz Association	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Basic science	Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Condensed Matter Physics, Biomedical Engineering	1992
Weierstrass Institute for Applied Analysis and StochasticsLeibniz Association	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Basic science	Computational Mechanics, Mathematical Physics, Applied Mathematics	1992
WZB Berlin Social Science CenterLeibniz Association	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Social sciences and humanities	Political Science and International Relations, Safety Research, Sociology and Political Science	1969
Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck SocietyMax Planck Society	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Chemicals and materials	Materials Chemistry, Surfaces, Coatings and Films, Biomedical Engineering	1911
Max Planck Institute for Gravitational PhysicsMax Planck Society	Potsdam, Germany	Research institute Space	Astronomy and Astrophysics, Nuclear and High Energy Physics, Statistical and Nonlinear Physics	1995
Max Planck Institute for Infection BiologyMax Planck Society	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Infectious Diseases, Immunology, Genetics	1993
Max Planck Institute for Molecular GeneticsMax Planck Society	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Molecular Biology, Genetics	1964
Max Planck Institute for the History of ScienceMax Planck Society	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Social sciences and humanities	History and Philosophy of Science, History	1994
Max Planck Institute of Colloids and InterfacesMax Planck Society	Potsdam, Germany	Research institute Chemicals and materials	Organic Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Surfaces, Coatings and Films	1992
Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyMax Planck Society	Potsdam, Germany	Research institute Agriculture and food	Plant Science, Molecular Biology, Genetics	1994
Max Planck Unit for the Science of PathogensMax Planck Society	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Genetics, Molecular Biology, Endocrinology	2018
NeuroCure Cluster of ExcellenceNeuroCure Cluster of Excellence	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience, Cell Biology	2007
Pathodiagnostik BerlinPathodiagnostik Berlin	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Oncology, Genetics
Research Institute Bioactive Polymer SystemsResearch Institute Bioactive Polymer Systems	Teltow, Germany	Research institute Industrials and manufacturing	Biomedical Engineering, Polymers and Plastics, Mechanical Engineering	1996
Senckenberg German Entomological InstituteSenckenberg - Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research	Müncheberg, Germany	Research institute Agriculture and food	Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Genetics, Paleontology	1886
Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, German Institute for International and Security AffairsStiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, German Institute for International and Security Affairs	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Social sciences and humanities	Political Science and International Relations, Economics and Econometrics, Global and Planetary Change	1962
Wissenschaftliches Institut der AOKWissenschaftliches Institut der AOK	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	Health Information Management, Economics and Econometrics, General Health Professions	1976
Zentralinstitut für die Kassenärztliche Versorgung in der Bundesrepublik DeutschlandZentralinstitut für die Kassenärztliche Versorgung in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland	Berlin, Germany	Research institute Healthcare and life sciences	General Health Professions, Epidemiology, Economics and Econometrics	1973

Countries

Germany

Organisations

Other leading ecosystems

Questions and answers

How big is the Berlin and Potsdam R&D ecosystem?

It has 82 labs from 48 organisations, ranking number 18 worldwide in the 311 Institute Global R&D Labs Directory.

Which organisations have labs in Berlin and Potsdam?

They include Leibniz Association, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Max Planck Society and Helmholtz Association.

What does the Berlin and Potsdam ecosystem specialise in?

Its main focus areas are genetics, atomic and molecular physics, and optics, molecular biology and electrical and electronic engineering.

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