An important link between research and its practical application is the Fraunhofer Society for the Advancement of Applied Research. In its roughly 50 institutes, it carries out commissioned projects in various areas of science and technology, mainly for industry.

Other significant contributions are made by the Federal Republic’s major foundations for scholarship and research such as the Fritz Thyssen Foundation and the Volkswagen Foundation. They and the Donors’ Association for the Promotion of German Science are much in demand as sponsors of research projects, especially in collaboration with the higher education institutions. The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, which receives financial support from the Federation, enables foreign scientists to do research in Germany and German scientists to work on similar projects abroad; it also pays for research trips by outstanding foreign scientists.

Many of the tasks facing the government today cannot be accomplished without scientific preliminary work and consultation. Such activities are the responsibility of the many research institutions of the federal and state governments, such as the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices or the Federal Environmental Agency.