The Rhineland (Cologne, Bonn, Aachen, Jülich) R&D ecosystem
Rhineland (Cologne, Bonn, Aachen, Jülich) is ranked number 16 of 392 R&D ecosystems in the 311 Institute directory, with 87 labs within about 120 kilometres: 42 research institutes, 25 government, 16 university, 2 corporate and 2 intergovernmental. Leading organisations include Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Max Planck Society, University of Namur and Belgium government, focused on electrical and electronic engineering, materials chemistry, economics and econometrics and political science and international relations.
Part of the 311 Institute Global R&D Labs Directory. Compiled by Matthew Griffin. Last updated .
#16world rank
87labs
53organisations
3countries
Why these labs matter
imec: Where the world's chipmakers develop their next process steps together.
Forschungszentrum Jülich: Hosts Europe's first exascale supercomputer.
German Aerospace Center (DLR): Germany's aerospace and energy research.
All 87 labs
| Lab and organisation | Location | Type and sector | Focus | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHL Innovation CenterDHL | Troisdorf, Germany | Corporate Consumer and retail | Logistics innovation | 2007 |
| Dr. Fooke-Achterrath Laboratorien GmbH (Germany)Dr. Fooke-Achterrath Laboratorien GmbH (Germany) | Neuss, Germany | Corporate Healthcare and life sciences | Rheumatology, Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine | 1990 |
| imecBelgium government | Leuven, Belgium | Government Technology | Semiconductors, Nanotech | 1984 |
| SCK CEN Belgian Nuclear Research CentreBelgium government | Mol, Belgium | Government Energy and resources | Nuclear, Medical isotopes | 1952 |
| VITOBelgium government | Mol, Belgium | Government Environment and climate | Cleantech | 1991 |
| Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und RaumforschungBundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung | Bonn, Germany | Government Social sciences and humanities | Geography, Planning and Development, Economics and Econometrics, Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law | 2009 |
| Bundesinstitut für SportwissenschaftBundesinstitut für Sportwissenschaft | Bonn, Germany | Government Healthcare and life sciences | Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, Developmental and Educational Psychology | 1970 |
| Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und RaumfahrtBundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt | Bonn, Germany | Government Public policy and analysis | Information Systems and Management, Cancer Research, Nuclear and High Energy Physics | 1955 |
| Joint Research CenterDirectorate-General Joint Research Centre | Geel, Belgium | Government Basic science | Nuclear and High Energy Physics, Radiation, Aerospace Engineering | 1961 |
| European Institute of Public AdministrationEuropean Institute of Public Administration | Maastricht, Netherlands | Government Social sciences and humanities | Political Science and International Relations, Public Administration, General Economics, Econometrics and Finance | 1981 |
| Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical DevicesFederal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices | Bonn, Germany | Government Healthcare and life sciences | Toxicology, Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health, Statistics and Probability | |
| Fraunhofer FHR (High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Wachtberg, Germany | Government Aerospace, defence and space | Radar | |
| Fraunhofer FIT (Applied Information Technology)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Sankt Augustin, Germany | Government Technology | Blockchain, Human-computer interaction | |
| Fraunhofer FKIE (Communication, Information Processing and Ergonomics)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Wachtberg, Germany | Government Aerospace, defence and space | Defence IT | |
| Fraunhofer IAIS (Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Sankt Augustin, Germany | Government Technology | AI, Machine learning | |
| Fraunhofer ILT (Laser Technology)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Aachen, Germany | Government Technology | Lasers, Photonics | |
| Fraunhofer IME (Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Aachen, Germany | Government Healthcare and life sciences | Biotech, Drug discovery | |
| Fraunhofer IMS (Microelectronic Circuits and Systems)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Duisburg, Germany | Government Technology | Semiconductors, Sensors | |
| Fraunhofer IPT (Production Technology)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Aachen, Germany | Government Industrials and manufacturing | Manufacturing, Photonics | |
| Fraunhofer SCAI (Algorithms and Scientific Computing)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Sankt Augustin, Germany | Government Technology | Simulation, Bioinformatics | |
| Fraunhofer UMSICHT (Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Oberhausen, Germany | Government Energy and resources | Circular economy, Hydrogen | |
| Forschungszentrum JülichHelmholtz Association | Jülich, Germany | Government Basic science | Supercomputing, Quantum, Energy | 1956 |
| German Aerospace Center (DLR)Helmholtz Association | Cologne, Germany | Government Aerospace, defence and space | Aerospace, Energy, Transport | 1969 |
| German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)Helmholtz Association | Bonn, Germany | Government Healthcare and life sciences | Neuroscience | 2009 |
| Max Weber Stiftung - Deutsche Geisteswissenschaftliche Institute im AuslandMax Weber Stiftung - Deutsche Geisteswissenschaftliche Institute im Ausland | Bonn, Germany | Government Technology | Information Systems, Information Systems and Management, Literature and Literary Theory | 2002 |
| Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Innovation, Digitalisierung und Energie des Landes Nordrhein-WestfalenMinisterium für Wirtschaft, Innovation, Digitalisierung und Energie des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen | Düsseldorf, Germany | Government Public policy and analysis | Strategy and Management, Environmental Chemistry, Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management | 1946 |
| Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem ServicesUnited Nations | Bonn, Germany | Government Environment and climate | Information Systems, Global and Planetary Change, Nature and Landscape Conservation | 2012 |
| Deutsches Diabetes-Zentrum e.V.Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf | Düsseldorf, Germany | University Healthcare and life sciences | Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Epidemiology, Genetics | 1964 |
| Bonn Aachen International Center for Information TechnologyHochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg | Bonn, Germany | University Technology | Computational Theory and Mathematics, Materials Chemistry, Molecular Biology | 2002 |
| Care and Public Health Research InstituteMaastricht University | Maastricht, Netherlands | University Healthcare and life sciences | Economics and Econometrics, General Health Professions, Pharmacology | |
| Lamarr Institute for Machine Learning and Artificial IntelligenceTU Dortmund University | Sankt Augustin, Germany | University Technology | Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, Nuclear and High Energy Physics | 2022 |
| United Nations University – Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and TechnologyUnited Nations University | Maastricht, Netherlands | University Public policy and analysis | Economics and Econometrics, Sociology and Political Science, General Economics, Econometrics and Finance | 2010 |
| KU LeuvenUniversities in Belgium | Leuven, Belgium | University Multidisciplinary research | Engineering, Medicine | 1425 |
| RWTH Aachen UniversityUniversities in Germany | Aachen, Germany | University Multidisciplinary research | Production, Engineering | 1870 |
| Centrum für Integrierte OnkologieUniversity Hospital Bonn | Bonn, Germany | University Healthcare and life sciences | Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Oncology, Pathology and Forensic Medicine | 2007 |
| Hausdorff Center for MathematicsUniversity of Bonn | Bonn, Germany | University Basic science | Geometry and Topology, Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Physics | 2006 |
| Institut für Energie- und UmwelttechnikUniversity of Duisburg-Essen | Duisburg, Germany | University Environment and climate | Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis, Atmospheric Science, Materials Chemistry | 1989 |
| The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell CenterUniversity of Duisburg-Essen | Duisburg, Germany | University Industrials and manufacturing | Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Materials Chemistry, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment | 2001 |
| Institute of Life, Earth and EnvironmentUniversity of Namur | Namur, Belgium | University Environment and climate | Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis, Immunology, Aquatic Science | 2019 |
| Namur Digital InstituteUniversity of Namur | Namur, Belgium | University Social sciences and humanities | Law, Information Systems, Political Science and International Relations | 2019 |
| Namur Institute for Complex SystemsUniversity of Namur | Namur, Belgium | University Technology | Computer Networks and Communications, Statistical and Nonlinear Physics, Numerical Analysis | 2015 |
| Namur Institute of Structured MatterUniversity of Namur | Namur, Belgium | University Chemicals and materials | Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials | 2018 |
| Namur Research Institute for Life SciencesUniversity of Namur | Namur, Belgium | University Healthcare and life sciences | Hematology, Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine | 2012 |
| Joint Research Centre GeelEuropean Commission | Geel, Belgium | Intergovernmental Basic science | Nuclear measurement, Food safety | 1960 |
| European Astronaut CentreEuropean Space Agency | Cologne, Germany | Intergovernmental Aerospace, defence and space | Human spaceflight | 1990 |
| AccessAccess | Aachen, Germany | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Materials Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, General Materials Science | 1986 |
| Apherese ForschungsinstitutApherese Forschungsinstitut | Cologne, Germany | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Surgery, Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine, Neurology | |
| BICC - Bonn International Centre for Conflict StudiesBICC - Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies | Bonn, Germany | Research institute Social sciences and humanities | Sociology and Political Science, Health, Demography | |
| Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated DiseasesCologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases | Cologne, Germany | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular Biology, Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases | 2007 |
| empirica - Communication and Technology Researchempirica - Communication and Technology Research | Bonn, Germany | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Health Information Management, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Demography | 1988 |
| European Theoretical Spectroscopy FacilityEuropean Theoretical Spectroscopy Facility | Liège, Belgium | Research institute Basic science | Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Condensed Matter Physics, Materials Chemistry | 2008 |
| Federal Highway and Transport Research InstituteFederal Highway and Transport Research Institute | Bergisch Gladbach, Germany | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality, Social Psychology, Civil and Structural Engineering | 1951 |
| Federal Institute for Vocational Education and TrainingFederal Institute for Vocational Education and Training | Bonn, Germany | Research institute Social sciences and humanities | Education, Sociology and Political Science, Political Science and International Relations | 2008 |
| Flemish Institute for Technological ResearchFlemish Institute for Technological Research | Mol, Belgium | Research institute Environment and climate | Ecology, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis | 1991 |
| Ernst Ruska CentreForschungszentrum Jülich | Jülich, Germany | Research institute Chemicals and materials | Structural Biology, Surfaces, Coatings and Films, Biomedical Engineering | 2004 |
| Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information TechnologyFraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Sankt Augustin, Germany | Research institute Technology | Management Information Systems, Human-Computer Interaction, Artificial Intelligence | 2001 |
| Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHTFraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Oberhausen, Germany | Research institute Energy and resources | Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, Biomedical Engineering, Catalysis | 2012 |
| Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar TechniquesFraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Wachtberg, Germany | Research institute Aerospace, defence and space | Aerospace Engineering, Signal Processing, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | 1957 |
| Fraunhofer Institute for Intelligent Analysis and Information SystemsFraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Sankt Augustin, Germany | Research institute Technology | Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, Information Systems | 2001 |
| Fraunhofer Institute for Laser TechnologyFraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Aachen, Germany | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Computational Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | 1985 |
| Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPTFraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Aachen, Germany | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Mechanical Engineering, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | 1980 |
| German Cement Works AssociationGerman Cement Works Association | Düsseldorf, Germany | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Civil and Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Building and Construction | 1877 |
| German Institute of Development and SustainabilityGerman Institute of Development and Sustainability | Bonn, Germany | Research institute Social sciences and humanities | Development, Economics and Econometrics, Political Science and International Relations | 1964 |
| Gesellschaft Fur Mathematik Und DatenverarbeitungGesellschaft Fur Mathematik Und Datenverarbeitung | Sankt Augustin, Germany | Research institute Technology | Artificial Intelligence, Computational Theory and Mathematics, Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design | 1968 |
| Institut für Arbeitsschutz der Deutschen Gesetzlichen UnfallversicherungInstitut für Arbeitsschutz der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung | Sankt Augustin, Germany | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Occupational Therapy, Social Psychology, Analytical Chemistry | |
| Institut KurzInstitut Kurz | Cologne, Germany | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Nutrition and Dietetics | |
| Institute for Mobile and Satellite Communication TechnologyInstitute for Mobile and Satellite Communication Technology | Kamp-Lintfort, Germany | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Aerospace Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics | 1992 |
| Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health CareInstitute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care | Cologne, Germany | Research institute Public policy and analysis | Economics and Econometrics, Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty, Sociology and Political Science | 2004 |
| Institute of Energy Economics at the University of CologneInstitute of Energy Economics at the University of Cologne | Cologne, Germany | Research institute Energy and resources | Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, General Energy | 1943 |
| Jülich Supercomputing CentreJülich Supercomputing Centre | Jülich, Germany | Research institute Nuclear | Hardware and Architecture, Computer Networks and Communications, Nuclear and High Energy Physics | 2007 |
| Neuroelectronics Research FlandersKU Leuven | Leuven, Belgium | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Cognitive Neuroscience, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering | |
| VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease ResearchKU Leuven | Leuven, Belgium | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Physiology, Neurology, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience | 1995 |
| VIB-KU Leuven Center for MicrobiologyKU Leuven | Leuven, Belgium | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular Biology, Genetics, Infectious Diseases | |
| Laboratory Dr. WisplinghoffLaboratory Dr. Wisplinghoff | Cologne, Germany | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Physiology, Genetics, Clinical Biochemistry | 2006 |
| DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsLeibniz Association | Aachen, Germany | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular Medicine, Organic Chemistry, Water Science and Technology | |
| German Institute for Adult Education – Leibniz Centre for Lifelong LearningLeibniz Association | Bonn, Germany | Research institute Social sciences and humanities | Education, Political Science and International Relations, Information Systems | 1957 |
| Max Planck Institute for MathematicsMax Planck Society | Bonn, Germany | Research institute Basic science | Geometry and Topology, Mathematical Physics, Algebra and Number Theory | 1992 |
| Max Planck Institute for Metabolism ResearchMax Planck Society | Cologne, Germany | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Epidemiology, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging, Cognitive Neuroscience | |
| Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior – caesarMax Planck Society | Bonn, Germany | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience, Molecular Biology | 2022 |
| Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding ResearchMax Planck Society | Cologne, Germany | Research institute Agriculture and food | Plant Science, Genetics, Molecular Biology | 1928 |
| Max Planck Institute for Radio AstronomyMax Planck Society | Bonn, Germany | Research institute Space | Astronomy and Astrophysics, Nuclear and High Energy Physics | 1972 |
| Max Planck Institute for the Study of SocietiesMax Planck Society | Cologne, Germany | Research institute Social sciences and humanities | Political Science and International Relations, Economics and Econometrics, Public Administration | 1985 |
| Max-Planck-Institut für KohlenforschungMax Planck Society | Mülheim, Germany | Research institute Chemicals and materials | Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics | 1912 |
| Max-Planck-Institut für Nachhaltige MaterialienMax Planck Society | Düsseldorf, Germany | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Materials Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, General Materials Science | 1917 |
| Rega Institute for Medical ResearchRega Institute for Medical Research | Leuven, Belgium | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Infectious Diseases, Virology, Organic Chemistry | 1954 |
| Research Institute for Knowledge SystemsResearch Institute for Knowledge Systems | Maastricht, Netherlands | Research institute Environment and climate | Global and Planetary Change, Management Science and Operations Research, Atmospheric Science | |
| Rhenish Institute for Environmental ResearchRhenish Institute for Environmental Research | Cologne, Germany | Research institute Space | Astronomy and Astrophysics, Instrumentation, Atmospheric Science |
Countries
Organisations
- Directorate-General Joint Research Centre
- European Commission
- European Space Agency
- Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
- Helmholtz Association
- Leibniz Association
- Max Planck Society
- Max Weber Stiftung - Deutsche Geisteswissenschaftliche Institute im Ausland
- United Nations University
- University of Namur
Other leading ecosystems
- Paris and Saclay
- Beijing and Tianjin
- Washington DC and Maryland
- Greater Tokyo and Tsukuba
- Moscow
- Grenoble
- London and the Golden Triangle
- Greater Bay Area (Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong)
- Shanghai and Suzhou
- Provence (ITER and Cadarache)
- Silicon Valley and the Bay Area
- Singapore
- Zurich, Basel and Aargau
- Randstad (Amsterdam, Delft, Leiden)
- Stuttgart and Karlsruhe
Questions and answers
How big is the Rhineland (Cologne, Bonn, Aachen, Jülich) R&D ecosystem?
It has 87 labs from 53 organisations, ranking number 16 worldwide in the 311 Institute Global R&D Labs Directory.
Which organisations have labs in Rhineland (Cologne, Bonn, Aachen, Jülich)?
They include Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Max Planck Society, University of Namur and Belgium government.
What does the Rhineland (Cologne, Bonn, Aachen, Jülich) ecosystem specialise in?
Its main focus areas are electrical and electronic engineering, materials chemistry, economics and econometrics and political science and international relations.
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