Innovation and Transfer
As a research centre for aeronautics and space, energy and transport as well as digitalisation and security, DLR combines research and innovation processes and thus fulfils the socio-political task of using scientific findings to sustainably secure the innovative strength and competitiveness of the economy for the benefit of society.
Over 10,000 employees think about the application of research right from the start. This means that the needs of industry are already incorporated into the planning process for research projects and research infrastructures. At DLR, we identify future topics at an early stage, analyse current and future markets and maintain contact with industry. In this way, we always have our finger on the pulse of the times and keep an eye on the future.
DLR is focussing on dovetailing research and industry even more closely. This is achieved by promoting the transfer of knowledge and technologies from research to application. Cooperation with companies is fundamental to this, in line with the motto: "No innovation without business partners."
Valuable knowledge is thus transferred to industry at an early stage, where it can be further utilised and exploited. This is because innovations from DLR research results are only created in cooperation with partners from industry, who bring DLR technologies and expertise to market success.
There are many possibilities for the transfer of technologies and knowledge, which DLR actively pursues and promotes. These include, for example, contract research, third-party funded projects, framework co-operations, innovation partnerships, intellectual property rights and licensing, the founding of start-ups and the training of highly competent personnel for industry. In DLR's more than 180 research infrastructures, some of which are unique in the world, technologies are tested together with industry in order to create new products, processes and services.