Helmholtz at a glance

About the Helmholtz Association

Germany’s largest research organization
Named after Hermann von Helmholtz (1821-1894), one of the last great scientific generalists
Annual budget of ~ € 4,5 billion
~ 39,000 employees
World-Class science infrastructure
18 independent research centers all over Germany
Our research plays a key role in identifying reliable answers that benefit society, science, and the economy.
The Helmholtz Association’s six fields of research focus on the major societal challenges of our time – such as the digital revolution, climate change, energy transition, transport in the future and the battle against severe and widespread diseases – and work on developing sustainable solutions for the future. In doing so, Helmholtz covers the entire spectrum from basic to application-oriented research whilst applying an interdisciplinary approach.
The Helmholtz Association cooperates with leading research institutions at the national and international level and is committed to the highest standards of talent management at all levels and the promotion of early-career researchers.
New knowledge can only benefit society and the economy if it is transferred and therefore made usable. For this reason, transferring knowledge and technology and promoting innovation are of extraordinary importance to us.
400 new patents are filed every year
Approx. 20 new high-tech spin-offs per year