Our Research Centers
Scientists in 19 Helmholtz Centers work on a wide range of topics, such as A for astrophysics, B for biology, C for cell research, and so on. Almost 36,000 staff use the most modern scientific infrastructure, including, in particular, large-scale facilities and instrumentation, which are also open to use by members of the international scientific community. Working on behalf of the state, Helmholtz scientists pursue an ambitious goal: To make an essential contribution to solving the grand challenges which society faces.
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Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI)
Scientists at the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) are researching the poles, seas and climate. They aim to unravel the changes taking place in the global environment and System Earth which are partly natural and partly caused by human action.
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Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY
DESY is one of the world’s leading accelerator centres. DESY develops, builds and operates large accelerator facilities, which are used to investigate the structure of matter. The combination of photon science and particle physics at DESY is unique in Europe.
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German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg is working to identify and understand the causes of cancer diseases and to improve treatments and therapies.
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German Aerospace Center (DLR)
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) headquartered in Cologne is Germany's national centre for research and technology development in aeronautics and aerospace. In addition DLR holds a leading position in the selected research fields of energy and transportation.
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German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)
The German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) examines the causes of diseases of the nervous system and develops respective measures for prevention, therapy and care.
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Forschungszentrum Jülich
Forschungszentrum Jülich works on key technologies for the grand challenges facing society in the fields of information and the brain as well as energy and environment.
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GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
The centres’ mandate is the interdisciplinary investigation of all relevant aspects of modern marine sciences, from sea floor geology to marine meteorology.
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GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research
The GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research in Darmstadt uses a modern accelerator facility to do basic research in physics and also carries out biophysical and radiation medicine research.
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Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB)
The Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) has two main focuses: Research on materials that are related to energy conversion in the broadest sense and the development of accelerator concepts and instruments for research with light.
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Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR)
How does matter behave in strong fields and at small-scale dimensions? How can malignant tumours be identified at an early stage and treated effectively? How can resources and energy be utilised in an efficient and safe manner? The researchers at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf are seeking to answer these questions.
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Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)
The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig researches infectious disease as well as their prevention and treatment.
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CISPA - Helmholtz Center for Information Security
The CISPA - Helmholtz Center for Information Security covers all aspects of information security. The Center aims to address the pressing grand cybersecurity research challenges that our society faces in the age of digitalization in a holistic and comprehensive manner and covers the full spectrum from theory to empirical research.
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Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ
The UFZ is one of the world’s leading research centres in the field of environmental research, enjoying high social recognition. It demonstrates ways in which a sustainable use of our natural resource base is possible for the benefit of both humankind and the environment.
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Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Centre for Material and Coastal Research (HZG)
How will we get our energy in the future? How can we master the threat of climate change? And how can medicine help us respond to demographic change? Researchers at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Centre for Materials and Coastal Research are developing concepts that will provide answers to these questions.
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Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health (HMGU)
The Helmholtz-Center München in Neuherberg studies the complex systems of life at the interface between environmental impact and genetic predisposition.
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Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences
Helmholtz Centre Potsdam combines all solid earth science fields including geodesy, geology, geophysics, mineralogy and geochemistry, in a multidisciplinary research centre.
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Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. From fundamental research through to application, it excels in a broad range of disciplines, i.e. in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. It makes significant contributions to the global challenges of mankind in the fields of energy, mobility, and information.
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Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) (Associate Member)
The Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) in Garching concentrates on nuclear fusion research. Its goal is to emulate on Earth the way the Sun generates energy.
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Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC)
The Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association combines microbiological basic research with clinical research in order to develop new diagnosis and treatment methods for serious diseases.
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