Extramural research

Extramural research is a mainstay of the Thuringian R&D landscape.  A number of prominent institutions have already set up branch operations in Thuringia, including the Max-Planck Society, the Fraunhofer research organization, the Leibniz Association, and the Helmholtz Association. These are supplemented by non-academic research institutes sponsored by the Land of Thuringia. In many cases, there is close cooperation and linkage with institutions of higher learning. For example, certain researchers may work at an extramural institute while concomitantly holding a professorship. 

All told, there are 16 extramural institutions, which fall into the categories below: