The Stuttgart and Karlsruhe R&D ecosystem
Stuttgart and Karlsruhe is ranked number 15 of 392 R&D ecosystems in the 311 Institute directory, with 93 labs within about 120 kilometres: 51 research institutes, 17 university, 15 government, 7 corporate, 2 intergovernmental and 1 non-profit. Leading organisations include Université de Strasbourg, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Max Planck Society and Institut de Chimie, focused on molecular biology, genetics, organic chemistry and materials chemistry.
Part of the 311 Institute Global R&D Labs Directory. Compiled by Matthew Griffin. Last updated .
#15world rank
93labs
54organisations
2countries
Why these labs matter
BASF Research: Central to greener chemistry and battery materials.
Bosch Research Campus: A leader in sensors, AI and automotive technology.
EMBL Heidelberg: A hub for structural biology, genomics and data-driven biology across Europe.
All 93 labs
| Lab and organisation | Location | Type and sector | Focus | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BASF ResearchBASF | Ludwigshafen, Germany | Corporate Chemicals and materials | Materials, Catalysis, Batteries | |
| Bosch Center for Artificial IntelligenceBosch | Renningen, Germany | Corporate Technology | AI | 2017 |
| Bosch Research CampusBosch | Renningen, Germany | Corporate Industrials and manufacturing | AI, Sensors, Mobility | 2015 |
| European Media Laboratory (Germany)European Media Laboratory (Germany) | Heidelberg, Germany | Corporate Technology | Molecular Biology, Artificial Intelligence, Computational Theory and Mathematics | 1940 |
| Lab1886Mercedes-Benz | Stuttgart, Germany | Corporate Automotive and mobility | Business model innovation | 2007 |
| Mercedes-Benz Research and DevelopmentMercedes-Benz | Sindelfingen, Germany | Corporate Automotive and mobility | Electrification, Software | |
| SAP LabsSAP | Walldorf, Germany | Corporate Technology | Enterprise software, AI | |
| Max Rubner InstitutBundesministerium für Landwirtschaft, Ernährung und Heimat | Karlsruhe, Germany | Government Agriculture and food | Food Science, Organic Chemistry, Animal Science and Zoology | 1877 |
| Joint Research CentreDirectorate-General Joint Research Centre | Karlsruhe, Germany | Government Chemicals and materials | Materials Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Condensed Matter Physics | 1961 |
| Fraunhofer IAO (Industrial Engineering)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Stuttgart, Germany | Government Industrials and manufacturing | Future of work, Innovation | |
| Fraunhofer IBP (Building Physics)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Stuttgart, Germany | Government Industrials and manufacturing | Buildings, Energy efficiency | |
| Fraunhofer ICT (Chemical Technology)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Pfinztal, Germany | Government Chemicals and materials | Energetics, Batteries | |
| Fraunhofer IGB (Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Stuttgart, Germany | Government Healthcare and life sciences | Biotech | |
| Fraunhofer IOSB (Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Karlsruhe, Germany | Government Aerospace, defence and space | Computer vision, Defence | |
| Fraunhofer IPA (Manufacturing Engineering and Automation)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Stuttgart, Germany | Government Industrials and manufacturing | Robotics, Automation | |
| Fraunhofer ISI (Systems and Innovation Research)Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Karlsruhe, Germany | Government Public policy and analysis | Innovation policy, Foresight | |
| German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)Helmholtz Association | Heidelberg, Germany | Government Healthcare and life sciences | Cancer | 1964 |
| Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Helmholtz)Helmholtz Association | Karlsruhe, Germany | Government Technology | Energy, Climate, Mobility | 2009 |
| Helmholtz-Institute UlmHelmholtz Association of German Research Centres | Ulm, Germany | Government Industrials and manufacturing | Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials | 2011 |
| Institut national du service public (INSP)Institut national du service public (INSP) | Strasbourg, France | Government Social sciences and humanities | Political Science and International Relations, Public Administration, Law | 2022 |
| Max Planck Institute for Intelligent SystemsMax Planck Society | Stuttgart, Germany | Government Technology | AI, Robotics | 2011 |
| Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience TübingenNational Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience | Tübingen, Germany | Government Healthcare and life sciences | Cognitive Neuroscience, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Molecular Biology | 2010 |
| European Institute for Energy ResearchKarlsruhe Institute of Technology | Karlsruhe, Germany | University Industrials and manufacturing | Materials Chemistry, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Energy Engineering and Power Technology | 2001 |
| Laboratoire d'innovation moléculaire et applicationsUniversité de Haute-Alsace | Strasbourg, France | University Chemicals and materials | Pharmaceutical Science, Organic Chemistry | 2018 |
| Bureau d'Economie Théorique et AppliquéeUniversité de Lorraine | Strasbourg, France | University Public policy and analysis | Strategy and Management, General Economics, Econometrics and Finance, Economics and Econometrics | 1997 |
| Centre d'analyse des rhétoriques religieuses de l'AntiquitéUniversité de Strasbourg | Strasbourg, France | University Social sciences and humanities | Anthropology, Language and Linguistics, Philosophy | 2001 |
| Diabète et thérapie cellulaireUniversité de Strasbourg | Strasbourg, France | University Healthcare and life sciences | Surgery, Genetics, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism | 2012 |
| Humans and management in societyUniversité de Strasbourg | Strasbourg, France | University Public policy and analysis | Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management, Marketing, Strategy and Management | 1980 |
| Immuno-Rhumathologie moléculaireUniversité de Strasbourg | Strasbourg, France | University Healthcare and life sciences | Rheumatology, Infectious Diseases, Virology | 2013 |
| Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et CellulaireUniversité de Strasbourg | Strasbourg, France | University Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular Biology, Genetics, Immunology | 1998 |
| Institut de recherches Carré de MalbergUniversité de Strasbourg | Strasbourg, France | University Social sciences and humanities | Political Science and International Relations, Law, Reproductive Medicine | |
| Laboratoire de bioimagerie et pathologiesUniversité de Strasbourg | Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France | University Chemicals and materials | Materials Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Spectroscopy | 2018 |
| Laboratoire de Génétique MédicaleUniversité de Strasbourg | Strasbourg, France | University Healthcare and life sciences | Genetics, Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine, Molecular Biology | 2005 |
| Laboratoire de pharmacologie et de toxicologie neurocardiovasculaireUniversité de Strasbourg | Strasbourg, France | University Healthcare and life sciences | Toxicology, Geriatrics and Gerontology, Pathology and Forensic Medicine | |
| Laboratoire de psychologie des cognitionsUniversité de Strasbourg | Strasbourg, France | University Social sciences and humanities | Developmental and Educational Psychology, Sociology and Political Science, Safety Research | 2009 |
| Linguistique, langues, paroleUniversité de Strasbourg | Strasbourg, France | University Social sciences and humanities | Language and Linguistics, Philosophy, Linguistics and Language | 2020 |
| Modèles Insectes de l'Immunité InnéeUniversité de Strasbourg | Strasbourg, France | University Healthcare and life sciences | Immunology, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Microbiology | 1980 |
| Heidelberg Institute of Global HealthUniversity Hospital Heidelberg | Heidelberg, Germany | University Healthcare and life sciences | Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis, Infectious Diseases, Finance | 1962 |
| Quantitative Biology CenterUniversity of Tübingen | Tübingen, Germany | University Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular Biology, Information Systems and Management, Information Systems | 2012 |
| ELLIS Institute TübingenFraunhofer and partners | Tübingen, Germany | Non-profit Technology | AI | 2023 |
| EMBL HeidelbergEMBL | Heidelberg, Germany | Intergovernmental Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular biology | 1974 |
| Joint Research Centre KarlsruheEuropean Commission | Karlsruhe, Germany | Intergovernmental Energy and resources | Nuclear safety | 1963 |
| BioMed X InstituteBioMed X Institute | Heidelberg, Germany | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular Biology, Immunology, Oncology | 2013 |
| Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch-Institute of Clinical PharmacologyBosch Health Campus | Stuttgart, Germany | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Pharmacology, Genetics, Oncology | 1973 |
| Carl Gustav Carus-InstitutCarl Gustav Carus-Institut | Niefern-Öschelbronn, Germany | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Immunology, Molecular Biology, Organic Chemistry | 1966 |
| Fédération de chimie "Le Bel"Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique | Strasbourg, France | Research institute Chemicals and materials | Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Materials Chemistry | 2024 |
| Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt StuttgartChemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt Stuttgart | Fellbach, Germany | Research institute Agriculture and food | Food Science, Clinical Biochemistry, Microbiology | |
| Laboratoire Image, Ville, EnvironnementCNRS Écologie & Environnement | Strasbourg, France | Research institute Environment and climate | Soil Science, Ecology, Earth-Surface Processes | 2013 |
| Mitochondrie, stress oxydant et protection musculaireDélégation Alsace | Strasbourg, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Complementary and alternative medicine, Molecular Biology, Epidemiology | |
| Regenerative NanoMedicineDélégation Alsace | Strasbourg, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases, Periodontics | 2009 |
| Biomatériaux et BioingénierieDélégation Régionale Est | Strasbourg, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Orthodontics, Oral Surgery, Surfaces, Coatings and Films | |
| Deutschen Institute für Textil und FaserforschungDeutschen Institute für Textil und Faserforschung | Denkendorf, Germany | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Polymers and Plastics, Mechanical Engineering, Building and Construction | 1921 |
| DVGW-Forschungsstelle am Engler-Bunte-Institut des Karlsruher Instituts für TechnologieDeutscher Verein des Gas und Wasserfaches | Karlsruhe, Germany | Research institute Chemicals and materials | Catalysis, Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes, Computational Mechanics | |
| Forschungsinstitut für Edelmetalle und MetallchemieForschungsinstitut für Edelmetalle und Metallchemie | Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanics of Materials, General Materials Science | 1922 |
| Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical TechnologyFraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Karlsruhe, Germany | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Mechanics of Materials, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment | 1959 |
| Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial EngineeringFraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Stuttgart, Germany | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Human-Computer Interaction, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Marketing | 1981 |
| Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and AutomationFraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Stuttgart, Germany | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Strategy and Management, Control and Systems Engineering | 1971 |
| Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image ExploitationFraunhofer-Gesellschaft | Karlsruhe, Germany | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Media Technology | 2010 |
| GenetikumGenetikum | Neu-Ulm, Germany | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Genetics, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Molecular Biology | 1990 |
| Hopp Children's Cancer Center HeidelbergGerman Cancer Research Center | Heidelberg, Germany | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Genetics, Molecular Biology, Cancer Research | |
| German Research Institute for Public AdministrationGerman Research Institute for Public Administration | Speyer, Germany | Research institute Social sciences and humanities | Public Administration, Political Science and International Relations, Geography, Planning and Development | 1976 |
| Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and HumanitiesHeidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities | Heidelberg, Germany | Research institute Environment and climate | Atmospheric Science, Anthropology, Paleontology | 1909 |
| Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical StudiesHeidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies | Heidelberg, Germany | Research institute Space | Astronomy and Astrophysics, Molecular Biology, Instrumentation | 2010 |
| Biologie et pharmacologie des plaquettes sanguines : hémostase, thrombose, transfusionInserm | Strasbourg, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Hematology, Biochemistry, Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine | 2018 |
| Centre d’Investigation Clinique des Hôpitaux Universitaires de StrasbourgInserm | Strasbourg, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Neurology, Infectious Diseases | 2011 |
| Institute for Translational Medicine and Liver DiseaseInserm | Strasbourg, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Hepatology, Epidemiology, Animal Science and Zoology | 2009 |
| Institut Charles SadronInstitut de Chimie | Strasbourg, France | Research institute Chemicals and materials | Organic Chemistry, Polymers and Plastics, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry | 1954 |
| Institut de Chimie et Procédés pour l'Energie, l'Environnement et la SantéInstitut de Chimie | Strasbourg, France | Research institute Chemicals and materials | Materials Chemistry, Catalysis, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment | 1997 |
| Institut de Science et d'Ingénierie SupramoléculairesInstitut de Chimie | Strasbourg, France | Research institute Chemicals and materials | Organic Chemistry, Biomaterials, Biomedical Engineering | 2006 |
| Laboratoire d'Innovation ThérapeutiqueInstitut de Chimie | Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Computational Theory and Mathematics, Molecular Biology, Organic Chemistry | 2009 |
| Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de StrasbourgInstitut de Physique | Strasbourg, France | Research institute Basic science | Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Condensed Matter Physics | 1987 |
| Biotechnologie et Signalisation CellulaireInstitut des Sciences Biologiques | Strasbourg, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Genetics, Molecular Biology, Oncology | 2011 |
| Immunologie, Immunopathologie et Chimie ThérapeutiqueInstitut des Sciences Biologiques | Strasbourg, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Biomedical Engineering, Rheumatology, Immunology | 2013 |
| Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des PlantesInstitut des Sciences Biologiques | Strasbourg, France | Research institute Agriculture and food | Plant Science, Molecular Biology, Endocrinology | 1987 |
| Sociétés, Acteurs, Gouvernement en EuropeInstitut des Sciences Humaines et Sociales | Strasbourg, France | Research institute Social sciences and humanities | Sociology and Political Science, Political Science and International Relations, Urban Studies | 2013 |
| Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Ingénieur, de l'Informatique et de l'ImagerieInstitut national de recherche en sciences et technologies du numérique | Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging, Surgery | 2013 |
| École & Observatoire des Sciences de la TerreInstitut National des Sciences de l'Univers | Strasbourg, France | Research institute Environment and climate | Geophysics, Geology, Ocean Engineering | 1993 |
| Institut de Recherche Mathématique AvancéeInstitut National des Sciences Mathématiques et de leurs Interactions | Strasbourg, France | Research institute Basic science | Geometry and Topology, Mathematical Physics, Algebra and Number Theory | 1997 |
| Institute of Textile Technology and Process EngineeringInstitute of Textile Technology and Process Engineering | Denkendorf, Germany | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Surgery, Polymers and Plastics, Biomedical Engineering | 1891 |
| Landesanstalt für Umwelt Baden-WürttembergLandesregierung von Baden-Württemberg | Karlsruhe, Germany | Research institute Environment and climate | Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis, Water Science and Technology, Environmental Chemistry | 2006 |
| Leibniz-Institut für WissensmedienLeibniz Association | Tübingen, Germany | Research institute Social sciences and humanities | Experimental and Cognitive Psychology, Statistics and Probability, Developmental and Educational Psychology | 2001 |
| Center for Integrated Quantum Science and TechnologyMax Planck Institute for Solid State Research | Stuttgart, Germany | Research institute Basic science | Artificial Intelligence, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Materials Chemistry | 2014 |
| Max Planck Institute for AstronomyMax Planck Society | Heidelberg, Germany | Research institute Space | Astronomy and Astrophysics, Instrumentation, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics | 1967 |
| Max Planck Institute for Biological CyberneticsMax Planck Society | Tübingen, Germany | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Cognitive Neuroscience, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging, Experimental and Cognitive Psychology | 1968 |
| Max Planck Institute for BiologyMax Planck Society | Tübingen, Germany | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Plant Science, Genetics, Molecular Biology | 1912 |
| Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International LawMax Planck Society | Heidelberg, Germany | Research institute Social sciences and humanities | Political Science and International Relations, Law, Strategy and Management | 1924 |
| Max Planck Institute for Developmental BiologyMax Planck Society | Tübingen, Germany | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular Biology, Plant Science, Genetics | 1954 |
| Max Planck Institute for Medical ResearchMax Planck Society | Heidelberg, Germany | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Materials Chemistry | 1930 |
| Max Planck Institute for Solid State ResearchMax Planck Society | Stuttgart, Germany | Research institute Basic science | Condensed Matter Physics, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials | 1969 |
| Phénotypage et ingénierie précliniques des systèmes d’organismes modèlesPhénotypage et ingénierie précliniques des systèmes d’organismes modèles | Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Genetics, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Molecular Biology | 2002 |
| Praxis für Humangenetik TübingenPraxis für Humangenetik Tübingen | Tübingen, Germany | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Genetics, Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience | |
| Research Institute of Automotive Engineering and Vehicle Engines StuttgartResearch Institute of Automotive Engineering and Vehicle Engines Stuttgart | Stuttgart, Germany | Research institute Automotive and mobility | Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes, Automotive Engineering, Aerospace Engineering | 1930 |
| Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and PalaeoenvironmentSenckenberg - Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research | Tübingen, Germany | Research institute Environment and climate | Anthropology, Paleontology, Archeology | 2009 |
Countries
Organisations
- Bosch
- Bundesministerium für Landwirtschaft, Ernährung und Heimat
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
- CNRS Écologie & Environnement
- Directorate-General Joint Research Centre
- EMBL
- European Commission
- Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
- Helmholtz Association
- Inserm
- Institut de Chimie
- Institut de Physique
- Institut des Sciences Biologiques
- Institut des Sciences Humaines et Sociales
- Institut national de recherche en sciences et technologies du numérique
- Institut National des Sciences de l'Univers
- Institut National des Sciences Mathématiques et de leurs Interactions
- Leibniz Association
- Max Planck Society
- Mercedes-Benz
- National Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience
- Senckenberg - Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research
- Université de Lorraine
- Université de Strasbourg
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)
Questions and answers
How big is the Stuttgart and Karlsruhe R&D ecosystem?
It has 93 labs from 54 organisations, ranking number 15 worldwide in the 311 Institute Global R&D Labs Directory.
Which organisations have labs in Stuttgart and Karlsruhe?
They include Université de Strasbourg, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Max Planck Society and Institut de Chimie.
What does the Stuttgart and Karlsruhe ecosystem specialise in?
Its main focus areas are molecular biology, genetics, organic chemistry and materials chemistry.
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