For Customers and Partners

Fraunhofer lead markets – our strategic customer segments

Applied research is the hallmark of Fraunhofer. Industry is our partner. In line with our research fields, Fraunhofer has defined strategic customer segments, which we call “lead markets”. By promoting innovation, Fraunhofer lead markets give Germany a global competitive edge, secure the technological sovereignty of Germany and Europe as well as deliver sustainable value creation for society.  

These strategic customer segments provide industry customers with access to Fraunhofer’s industry-oriented services:

                     

                     

                     

                    

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

Your contact persons

Public sector

The German Mittelstand and SMEs

Large companies

What can Fraunhofer do for its customers?

What does Fraunhofer do? What kind of collaboration with Fraunhofer is possible? What can Fraunhofer do for its customers?

 

 If you are considering working with Fraunhofer for the first time, you are sure to have lots of questions. We hope you will find the answers to some of your key questions below.

Outstanding pre-competitive research

Strategic Research Fields
 

Forming the core focus of our research portfolio, the seven Fraunhofer Strategic Research Fields aim to address needs and markets that will shape our future. Within these fields, our outstanding pre-competitive research specifically targets projects that have high commercial potential, thereby enhancing our impact on society and across multiple sectors. By pursuing the Fraunhofer Strategic Research Fields, we aim to continuously strengthen the roles of Germany and Europe as key hubs of business and innovation while fostering our technological sovereignty and promoting sustainable value creation.

Transfer of ideas and innovations into the economy

Valuable technological knowledge and expertise is generated at the Fraunhofer Institutes each and every day. For 75 years, Fraunhofer has been fulfilling its responsibility for the successful transfer of this knowledge and know-how to the economy and society by contributing to new products, services and processes. The successful commercialization of technology hinges on a broad and sophisticated set of transfer mechanisms.

 

Fraunhofer Match − a fast solution

Fraunhofer Match is the central platform for placing research requests with Fraunhofer. Our 76 Fraunhofer institutes cover all areas of applied research. You tell us about your challenge or project − and Fraunhofer Match will put you in touch with researchers who have the right expertise to help you work out solutions.

The Fraunhofer Academy − Professional education

The Fraunhofer Academy is the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft's provider for continuing education. Together, we stand for applied cutting-edge research: Wherever new technologies and processes are applied, the Fraunhofer Academy creates the conditions for a new culture of innovation in companies for an economically successful future through continuing education.

 

Fraunhofer magazine 4/2024

Cover story: Seeds of Hope (New possibilities in the fight against bacteria) | Concrete of the Future | and much more.

A voice from the business world

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  • Innovation Requires Freedom and Confidence

    An opinion column by Marie-Christine Ostermann, President of Die Familienunternehmer e. V., a nonprofit dedicated to family businesses.

    Marie-Christine Ostermann
    © Foto: Anne Großmann/Die Familienunternehmer e.V.

    Less government regulation, bolder investment in our future — that could get the German economy rolling again. An opinion column by Marie-Christine Ostermann, President of Die Familienunternehmer e. V., a nonprofit dedicated to family businesses.

    more info
  • Growth as part of change

    Viewpoint: Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

    Oliver Zipse, Vorsitzender des Vorstands der BMW AG.
    © Rainer Häckl

    There is little commitment to growth in Germany’s policy sector. We need a mental paradigm shift for our country and for Europe as a whole: more carrot and less stick, more entry strategies than exit ones. Viewpoint from Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

    more info
  • Harnessing AI for good

    Viewpoint: Dr. Roland Busch, president and chief executive officer of Siemens AG

    Dr. Roland Busch, Vorstandsvorsitzender der Siemens AG
    © Enno Kapitza

    AI will unlock greater productivity, enabling more innovation and sustainability. It is the big opportunity of our time. To harness it, Germany needs a wise immigration policy — and a culture of openness.

    more info

Events and trade fairs

  • Hannover, Germany / March 31, 2025 - April 04, 2025

    Fraunhofer at the HANNOVER MESSE 2025

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    »Innovations for Our Future« – unter diesem Motto präsentiert sich die Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft auf der Hannover Messe 2025. Mehr als 13 Fraunhofer-Institute, -Verbünde und -Allianzen stellen vom 31. März bis 4. April 2025 auf dem Fraunhofer-Stand ihre Exponate aus drei Themen vor: AI for Industrial Innovation, Energy Solutions and Circular Economy, Smart Systems and Materials Efficiency.

    more info
  • Berlin / April 08, 2025 - April 10, 2025

    Fraunhofer at the DMEA 2025

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    Under the slogan Innovations for our Future, eight Fraunhofer institutes will present their current research developments at the Fraunhofer joint stands in Hall 2.2, Booth D-109. Visit us at our booth and talk to our research colleagues on site. See you in Berlin!

    more info
  • Aachen, Germany / April 08, 2025 - April 09, 2025

    8th UKP Workshop Ultrafast Laser Technology

    The 8th UKP Workshop Ultrafast Laser Technology will focus on processes and systems that can help companies capitalize on the full range of laser performance, such as high speed scanning or suitable beam shaping. Interesting presentations will provide valuable know-how about selecting the right laser source or individually modifying the laser beam profile in time and space in order to have optimal process conditions. Furthermore, experts will discuss how to push the boundaries of today’s ultrafast laser process engineering.

    more info
  • Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC / May 13, 2025 - May 14, 2025, 10:00 - 14:30 Uhr

    5th Joint Symposium on Nanotechnology I May 13-14, 2025

    Nanotechnology symposium
    © pixabay

    Nanotechnology is a core technology utilized in numerous sectors. At the 5th Symposium on Nanotechnology of the Fraunhofer Nanotechnology Network, with the support of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), will once again address the opportunities and risks associated with this rapidly evolving field. The two-day event at the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC in Würzburg will address a range of topics related to the application of nanotechnology in various sectors, including digitalization, 2D/3D printing, carbon-based materials and battery materials.

    more info
  • The VDE ITG MN 5.6 group cordially invites experts and newcomers to the field of semiconductor reliability to the 17th VDE ITG MN 5.6 symposium “f(ast)WLR, Wafer Level Reliability, Reliability Simulation & Qualification” at the Fraunhofer IKTS in Dresden – this year with the focus topic: “Chiplets & their usage in fWLR methodology”.

    more info