The Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organization. Our cross-cutting research programs connect the 18 Helmholtz research centers. On this page, you can explore each center and find the ideal partner for your research stay.
About the Helmholtz Association
Whether it's methodological exchange, new perspectives, or joint projects – the HIDA Mobility Program, in collaboration with international partners, enables research stays at various Helmholtz Centers.
The Helmholtz Association is dedicated to finding answers to the major challenges of our time.
At the heart of its work are complex systems that shape people and the environment – from sustainable energy supply and climate-friendly mobility to environmental and resource protection, and the development of new therapies for previously incurable diseases.
More than 46,000 professionals – from science, technology, and administration – contribute to outstanding research at the 18 Helmholtz Centers, backed by an annual budget of €6.31 billion in 2023.
Through collaborations with international partners, HIDA offers you the opportunity to conduct research and work at one of the Helmholtz Centers for up to three months.
Each center has its own scientific focus areas and infrastructures. The research is thematically structured into six strategic programs.
For questions regarding application procedures and organizational matters, please contact your home institution directly.
The six research fields and the participating Helmholtz Centers
Energy
On the research field Energy
Helmholtz Energy conducts research along the entire value chain – from fundamental science to practical application – to provide the scientific foundation for a climate-neutral energy supply that is both economically viable and socially accepted.
Participating Helmholtz Centers:
Earth & Enviroment
On the research field Earth & Enviroment
In the research field Earth and Environment, seven Helmholtz Centers work together to gain a deeper understanding of our planet in all its dimensions. They study the complex processes that shape the natural foundations of life – from the highest layers of the atmosphere to the deepest parts of the Earth’s crust, from the past through the present and into the future, and from the land surface and the world’s oceans to the most remote polar regions.
Participating Helmholtz Centers:
Health
On the research field Health
Detecting diseases early, treating them promptly, or even preventing them altogether – that is the goal of Helmholtz Health. For a healthy life at every stage. In five research programs based at six renowned Helmholtz Centers, scientists investigate the complex causes of widespread diseases.
Participating Helmholtz Centers:
Information
On the research field Information
In the research field of Information, the Helmholtz Centers develop technologies for the secure, efficient, and sustainable use of large volumes of data. They explore natural, artificial, and cognitive information systems, innovative materials, and quantum technologies, and design next-generation high-performance computing systems.
Participating Centers:
Aeronautics, Space & Transport
On the research field Aeronautics, Space & Transport
The research field of Aeronautics, Space, and Transport lays the foundation for practical applications that enable more sustainable, efficient, and better-connected mobility—on land, at sea, and in the air.
The goal is to rethink mobility and develop future-ready solutions. Helmholtz pursues the vision of a climate-neutral, intelligently connected system as the foundation for a globally operating economy.
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) implements all three programs and collaborates with over 400 partner organizations in more than 60 countries.
Matter
On the research field Matter
The Matter research field of the Helmholtz Association explores the fundamental building blocks of matter – from elementary particles to the cosmos – and investigates their role in the evolution of the universe. It also analyzes materials such as crystals, polymers, and proteins, whose properties are shaped by the interactions of their atoms and molecules. This knowledge forms the basis for the targeted development of new high-tech materials, electronic components, pharmaceuticals, and future innovations.
Participating Centers:
Discover Helmholtz: 18 Research Centers, Unlimited Opportunities
Explore the diversity of the Helmholtz Centers on our interactive map – with just one click, you’ll get detailed information about each research facility.
There, you’ll also find potential hosts and their research groups who warmly welcome visiting scientists.
