Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft - Innovation for 75 years

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, one of the world's leading organizations for application-oriented research, can look back on its 75th anniversary on March 26. "In the tradition of its namesake, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft stands for the combination of scientific research spirit and entrepreneurship. The efficient and sustainable transfer of scientific knowledge into application is the common thread that runs through our 75-year history. Our success is based on the commitment of more than 30,000 employees who work every day to develop innovative solutions for current and future markets, thus giving our cooperation partners a decisive advantage in international competition. We would like to thank them all," said Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, on the occasion of the anniversary.

"The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has been shaping the German science system for 75 years now. It conducts research for practical applications and focuses on new technologies and markets. It embodies successful transfer and a lively start-up culture. It dares to make progress. All of this is becoming increasingly important in the face of growing international competition. As a country of innovation, we must not only conduct excellent research, but also exploit the results here in Germany (...)", commented Bettina Stark-Watzinger, Federal Minister of Education and Research, on the importance of the research society at the anniversary event. The Bavarian Minister President Dr. Markus Söder, the Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger and the Chair of the Senate of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Hildegard Müller also gave speeches at the event.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is named after the researcher, inventor, entrepreneur and Munich scholar Joseph von Fraunhofer, who lived from 1787 to 1826OnMarch 26, 1949, State Secretary Hugo Geiger invited 210 representatives from science, business and society to the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs. He wanted to contribute to the development of the economy in Bavaria and Germany by founding the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. It was named after the Munich scholar Joseph von Fraunhofer (1787-1826), who was equally successful as a researcher, inventor and entrepreneur.

On March 26, 1949, State Secretary Hugo Geiger invited 210 representatives from science, business and society to the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs

In line with the needs of the post-war period, the first few years focused on research in the fields of mining, metallurgy and mechanical engineering. With the election of Hermann von Siemens as president in the mid-1950s and the founding of the first institutes, Fraunhofer increasingly developed into an essential pillar of the scientific landscape in Germany. In the mid-1960s, Fraunhofer officially became the supporting organization for applied research in the German innovation system.

Since the 1970s, the Fraunhofer model of success-dependent basic funding has generated the dynamic of success that continues to this day. German reunification opened up unexpected opportunities for new expansion. The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft seized the opportunity faster and more consistently than other research organizations and founded more than 20 new institutes and facilities in the new federal states.

Following the establishment of the Microelectronics Alliance in 1984, other Fraunhofer Institutes have increasingly joined forces since 1997 to form thematically oriented alliances and develop joint marketing concepts and research strategies.

In 2015, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft established so-called Regional High-Performance Centers for the first time. Here, Fraunhofer Institutes work closely with industry and other local research partners on thematically related projects in order to pool strengths and exploit the region's potential.

With the "Fraunhofer vs. Corona" action program, Fraunhofer supported industry and society in the fight against the pandemic in 2020.

The inventions and developments that have emerged from the numerous institutes and facilities of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft range from airbags to mp3 technology, from white LEDs to EUV lithography. With currently 76 institutes and research facilities, more than 30,800 employees, an annual research volume of around 3 billion euros and numerous international collaborations, Fraunhofer is one of the most effective research organizations.