Boasting one of the oldest universities in Europe as well as a number of internationally renowned research institutes, for example the four Max-Planck-Institutes, but also the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne is not only the economic but also the scientific centre of the Rhineland region.

University Hospital Cologne

The Cologne University Hospital’s 59 clinics and institutes offer almost the entire spectrum of medical services. With the Max Planck Institute for the Biology of Ageing, the Cluster of Excellence’s CECAD research centre and the Center for Molecular Medicine (CMMC), the University Hospital Cologne offers ideal conditions for interdisciplinary research and the education of scientists and science graduates. Together with the university hospitals in Aachen, Bonn and Düsseldorf, the hospital’s Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO) is developing new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of various types of cancer. As one of the largest outpatient cancer centers, the CIO is one of the 13 top oncology centers in Germany. In an interview, Dr. Isabelle Suárez, infectiologist at the University Hospital of Cologne, talked to us about the successful pilot project SCHOCO (School Observation in Corona).

Cologne University

Founded in 1388, the University of Cologne is one of the oldest and largest universities in Europe. Almost 100,000 students graduate from the university. Over half of them stay in Cologne, contributing to the city's future. Close cooperation exists between the University Hospital Cologne and the research facilities of the Max Planck and Helmholtz Associations in the region. These cooperations foster excellence in research on a number of current social challenges.

• The Cluster of Excellence CECAD investigates the molecular mechanisms of ageing. The aim is to find new therapeutic approaches to the treatment of age-related diseases.
• CEPLAS, a Cluster of Excellence for Plant Sciences, investigates how plants adapt to environmental conditions and how these findings can be applied to agriculture.
• The GSSC also provides funding, researches the social, economic, political and cultural changes in the countries of the Global South with the aim of making these developments more visible and promoting new ways of meeting current and future global challenges.
• CERES is a centre for interdisciplinary research, education and training as well as advice on socially relevant issues in the field of health and networks scientists from Germany and abroad.
• ECONtribute is a joint research initiative of the University of Cologne and Friedrich-Wilhelms University Bonn. Its aim is to deal with current social challenges, for instance digitalization and political polarization. The most important fields of research include ethics, business administration and law. ECONtribute is also promoting constant exchange with political decision-makers.

Research focuses at a glance

• Ageing and demographic change
• Social and economic behaviour
• Quantitative modelling of complex systems
• Cultural and societal change
• Social inequalities and intercultural education

selected!

With 23 universities, around 100,000 students and a lively start-up culture, Cologne is the science hub of the Rhineland region. In addition to the academic landscape, the area is also home to numerous internationally renowned research institutions. Knowledge transfer between these and the industry plays a key role. Successful transfer structures include the GATEWAY start-up service, the university start-up network cologne e.V. and the Digital Hub Cologne.

Cologne University of Technology

The Cologne University of Applied Sciences (TH Köln) sees itself as a University of Technology, Arts and Sciences. It provides students and scientists from Germany and abroad with an inspirational learning, working and research environment in the social, cultural, engineering and natural sciences. The TH Köln was founded in 1971 and is one of the most innovative universities for applied sciences.

German Sport University Cologne

The German Sport University Cologne combines qualified teaching, international research and top-class sport at the highest level. It is the only sports university in Germany dedicated exclusively to sports and exercise. Its social orientation is reflected in the research focus on lifestyle research. In an interview, Prof. Dr. Christine Graf tells us how the findings from her work can be directly applied to our everyday lives.

A sciencecentred city!

The Cologne Science Round Table (KWR) is all about making scientific and economic potential visible. Representatives from the majority of Cologne’s universities and research institutions, supported by the City of Cologne and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), work together to strengthen and develop Cologne as a sustainable knowledgebased location. Through various events, the KWR makes a wide range of informational opportunities available to local people.

BioCampus Cologne

The BioCampus Cologne offers innovative technology companies an ideal environment for sustainable development. Cross-sector synergies in future industries such as life sciences, chemistry, ICT, engineering, energy and mobility fuel interdisciplinary cooperation, forming a perfect ecosystem for start-ups, SMEs and large companies. The BioCampus provides a powerful boost to Cologne as an innovative business location and is already one of the largest technology parks in Germany with an area of 25 hectares.

German Aerospace Center

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is headquartered in Cologne. Among other things, it conducts research into technologies for energy system transformation, space exploration, new security solutions and new methods of communication. Through its Space Operations Centre, Cologne has a direct connection with space. In cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA), DLR Aerospace Medicine supports astronauts such as Alexander Gerst before and after they travel into space. The research facility ":envihab" at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) has enabled European astronauts to train for the International Space Station (ISS) since 2013. Soon, a 1,000 m² sized test and training facility called LUNA will prepare them for future missions to the moon. The European Aviation Safety Agency, EASA, adds up to Cologne's key competence in aeronautics and space.

We provide an overview of all Cologne universities and research institutions. Up-to-date scientific events can be found in our calendar of events.

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