The profile of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and its impact on the German industry

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is Germany's leading organization of institutes of applied research. It undertakes contract research on behalf of industry, the service sector, and government. Customers are provided with rapid, economical and immediately applicable solutions to technical and organizational problems. Commissioned and funded by the Federal and State governments, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft undertakes strategical research projects which contribute to the development of innovations in key technologies and spheres of major public concern, such as energy, transport and the environment. In 1994 the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft maintained 46 research establishments at 31 locations, and employs a staff of 8100. The total volume of research undertaken amounted to approximately 800 USD. Work focuses on specific tasks across a wide spectrum of research fields. Where systematic solutions are required, several institutes collaborate on an interdisciplinary basis.