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 and deliver sustainable value creation for society.  

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

                     

                     

                     

                    

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

Central contact point for your inquiries

As the central point of contact for your project inquiries, we are at your disposal for questions, suggestions and requests.

Contact Press / Media

Public sector

The German Mittelstand and SMEs

Large companies

 

Fraunhofer Match: a fast solution

Fraunhofer Match is the central platform for placing research requests with Fraunhofer. Our 74 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.

 

 

What can Fraunhofer do for its clients?

What does Fraunhofer research? How can you collaborate with Fraunhofer? How can Fraunhofer help your business?

If you’re exploring a collaboration with Fraunhofer for the first time, you likely have a number of questions. Below, we answer some of the key questions you may have.

Transfer of ideas and innovations to industry

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 know-how to industry and society by contributing to new products, services and processes. The successful commercialization of technology hinges on a broad and sophisticated set of technology transfer mechanisms.

Impact of Fraunhofer research

Applied research conducted by the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft strengthens companies’ capacity to innovate and reinforces Germany’s position as a center for industry. Various studies show that Fraunhofer’s contributions measurably improve the business success of its partners while helping to advance Germany’s role as a hub for industry and innovation.

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 industry and innovation while fostering our technological sovereignty and promoting sustainable value creation.

Fraunhofer Venture: investments and spin-offs

Fraunhofer Venture was established to help translate research findings into real-world applications and to support the growing entrepreneurial drive across Fraunhofer’s institutes. Its mission is to transform promising innovations into successful spin-offs that create real economic value.

 

The Fraunhofer Academy: professional education

As the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft’s professional education and training provider, the Fraunhofer Academy supports specialists and executives at technology-driven companies in advancing their expertise. Its outstanding degree programs, certificate courses and seminars are grounded in the research of the Fraunhofer institutes and delivered in partnership with carefully selected, renowned universities and academic institutions.

 

Fraunhofer magazine
1/2026

Cover story: Energy? Of Course! | and much more 

Contacts for technical topics

Defence and Security


Caroline Schweitzer

Executive Secretary of the Fraunhofer Segment for Defense and Security VVS

Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB
Gutleuthausstrasse 1
76275 Ettlingen
Germany

Phone +49 7243 992-361

Send email

www.vvs.fraunhofer.de

 

Energy Technologies and Climate Protection

Central office of the Fraunhofer Group for Energy Technologies and Climate Protection

EUREF-Campus 23-24
10829 Berlin
Germany

Send email

Health Research

 

Otto Quintus Russe

Head of Central Office of the Fraunhofer Group for Health Research

Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP
Theodor Stern Kai 7/Haus 75
60596 Frankfurt am Main
Germany

Phone +49 69 6301 84900

Send email

www.itmp.fraunhofer.de

Information and Communication Technology

 

Alexander Nouak


Managing Director of the Fraunhofer ICT Group

Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Str. 2
10178 Berlin
Germany

Phone +49 30 7261-5660

Send email

www.iuk.fraunhofer.de

 

Innovation Research

 

Sven Schimpf

Managing Director of the Fraunhofer Group for Innovation Research


Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO
Nobelstr. 12
70569 Stuttgart
Germany

Phone +49 711 970-2457

Send email

www.iao.fraunhofer.de

Light & Surfaces

 

Heinrich Stülpnagel

Managing Director of the Fraunhofer Group for Light & Surfaces

Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM
Georges-Köhler-Allee 301
79110 Freiburg
Germany

Phone +49 761 8857-269

Send email

www.light-and-surfaces.fraunhofer.de

 

 

Materials and Components

 

Ursula Eul

Managing Director of the Fraunhofer Group for Materials and Components – Materials

Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF
Bartningstrasse 47
64289 Darmstadt
Germany

Phone +49 6151 705-262

Send email

www.materials.fraunhofer.de

 

Microelectronics

 

Stephan Guttowski

Head of Central Office of the Fraunhofer Group for Microelectronics

Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Strasse 2
10178 Berlin
Germany

Phone +49 172 81 66 781

Send email

www.mikroelektronik.fraunhofer.de

 

Production

 

Niels Schmidtke

Head of Central Office of the Fraunhofer Group for Production


Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF
Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Str. 1
39106 Magdeburg
Germany

Phone +49 391 4090-568

Send email

www.produktion.fraunhofer.de

 

Resource Technologies and Bioeconomy

 

Hartmut Pflaum

Head of Central Office of the Fraunhofer Group for Resource Technologies and Bioeconomy


Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT
Osterfelder Strasse 3
46047 Oberhausen
Germany

Phone +49 208 8598-1171

Send email

www.umsicht.fraunhofer.de

Events and trade shows

  • Hamburg / September 01, 2026 - September 04, 2026

    Fraunhofer at the SMM 2026

    Under the theme “Excellence in Maritime Research,” experts from five Fraunhofer institutes will present the latest technologies and developments at SMM 2026 in Hamburg from September 1 through 4.

    more info
  • DLRK, Aachen / September 09, 2026, 11:05 - 11:35 h

    Next Level Aerospace: Productivity, Sustainability and Digital Pioneering

    Under the title “Next Level Aerospace: Productivity, Sustainability and Digital Pioneering”, Fraunhofer AVIATION & SPACE is hosting a panel discussion featuring leading representatives from industry and research. The discussion will address key challenges and opportunities facing the aviation sector, including high-rate capability, resilience, and competitiveness. Its objective is to provide innovative impulses that foster both technological and economic progress.

    more info
  • Fraunhofer IKTS, Germany / September 16, 2026 - September 18, 2026

    International Symposium on Piezocomposite Applications ISPA

    ISPA is the leading international platform for piezoceramic composite technologies and their role in advancing component performance in extreme conditions and mission-critical applications. The 2026 year’s theme, "Where Frontiers Meet" highlights the intersection of pioneering materials and frontier applications — from orbit to ocean, from micro-sensing and actuation to structural health monitoring.

    more info
  • Berlin / September 22, 2026 - September 25, 2026

    Fraunhofer at the Innotrans 2026

    Under the theme “Innovations for Our Future,” experts from five Fraunhofer institutes will present the latest technologies and developments at Innotrans 2026 in Berlin from September 22 to 25.

    more info
  • This year's 7th Conference on Laser Polishing LaP will be held for the second time in combination with the 2nd Conference on Laser-based Optics Manufacturing LOM. We look forward to welcoming you to this groundbreaking event that brings together leading experts, researchers and industrialists from the world of laser processing and optics manufacturing.

    more info
  • The workshop will take place at the Fraunhofer Campus in Dresden. / September 29, 2026 - September 30, 2026, starting on September 29 at 13:00 (CET)

    Dry Coating Forum

    © Fraunhofer IWS

    Shaping the Future of Dry Battery Electrode Processing The Dry Coating Forum is a forum for material suppliers, equipment manufacturers, cell makers and end users to exchange information about current trends, developments and challenges in the field of dry coating technologies.

    more info
  • Berlin / September 30, 2026 - October 01, 2026

    FIRST by FMD | New Semiconductor Trend Forum for the Future of Europe

    ""
    © Fraunhofer Mikroelektronik

    Europe is investing billions in expanding its semiconductor capabilities. But technological sovereignty isn’t achieved solely through new factories and funding programs—what matters most is how quickly innovations make their way from research to industrial applications. This is exactly where “FIRST by FMD” comes in. With this new European forum for decision-makers and trendsetters, the Research Factory for Microelectronics Germany (FMD) is bringing together leading representatives from industry, research, and politics. FIRST—Fast Innovation through Research in Semiconductor Technologies—will take place on September 30 and October 1, 2026, at the EUREF Campus in Berlin.

    more info
  • Fraunhofer IKTS / October 20, 2026, 8:30 - 18:30

    CapTech 2026

    Fraunhofer IKTS and EDA invite industrial partners, stakeholders on defence and security technical solutions and interested system designers to the networking event "CapTech - Reliability of Electronic Systems by advanced Simulation Techniques and Innovation of Ceramic Technologies".

    more info