Collaboration

The Fraunhofer Institutes undertake research of direct utility to private and public enterprise. The aim of this applied research is to use science and technology to create innovative products and applications.

Fraunhofer delivers what the economy needs: innovation, which is one of the most important factors in achieving commercial success. To maintain an edge in a competitive global market you need to understand your customers’ needs, deploy the very latest technologies and respond quickly to market developments.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft now consists of over 70 institutes and more than 30,000 employees.

If you would like to find out more about the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, continue reading on the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft website: https://www.fraunhofer.de/en/quick-links/companies/what-does-Fraunhofer-do.html

As one of over 70 Fraunhofer Institutes, Fraunhofer IKS offers industry-oriented research at the highest level. We help you to advance the innovation process in your company.

We offer you:

• Innovative developments and scientific excellence to drive your projects forward.
• Product, technology and manufacturer neutrality for objective and flexible collaboration.
• An independent partnership based on trust and reliability.
• Access to the “Fraunhofer Hub”, where more than 25,000 experts in over 70 institutes conduct interdisciplinary research into cutting-edge technologies.
• A customized partnership tailored to your specific needs.
• Comprehensive structural and scientific resources to achieve the best results for your projects.

Companies often reach out to us directly or we connect at events and trade fairs. You can also use our contact form at the bottom of this page: To the contact form

In an initial, free and non-binding consultation, we will discuss your challenges, common goals and potential collaboration opportunities, including the timeframe and financial framework. We will then prepare an offer for you. Once the contract has been signed, the research and development work begins.

Collaborating with Fraunhofer IKS offers numerous benefits:

1. Access to expertise: You benefit from the specialist knowledge and innovative approaches of Fraunhofer IKS, which may be lacking in your organization.
2. Resource sharing: Sharing resources, technologies and infrastructures reduces costs and accelerates development processes.
3. Access to funding and project coordination: Joint projects can often obtain public funding more easily. We help you select the right program and assist with project management.
4. Risk mitigation through prototyping: You can quickly develop a minimum viable product without having to build up your own team of experts, and you can test, validate, and refine new approaches early on.
5. Increased competitiveness: Innovative solutions and new technologies can strengthen your market position.
6. Knowledge transfer: The exchange of knowledge and technologies leads to continuous improvement and adaptation to new challenges.

Whether you need a one-day workshop or a multi-year project, we customize our services to fit your needs. Talk to us directly. It has also proved successful to test the collaboration in a small introductory project and then start a longer-term cooperation.

Typically, you will own the products and prototypes developed in joint projects. However, further development and use of Fraunhofer IKS’s own know-how remain possible. Each customer benefits from the wealth of knowledge gained from previous collaborations. Additional rights (exclusive, application-related, non-exclusive/exclusive) can be agreed upon in corresponding contracts.

Fraunhofer IKS will only use your name for its own PR work with your explicit consent. Otherwise, the project may only be reported on in such a way that you are not recognizable as the client. We can also establish stricter confidentiality agreements if needed.