German State of North Rhine-Westphalia
Home to around 70 universities and universities of applied sciences, NRW stands as a hub of academic excellence and innovation. With its central location in Europe (capital city Düsseldorf, other important cities Cologne, Dortmund, Bonn, Münster) and a population exceeding 17 million, NRW combines industrial heritage with cutting-edge research, making it an attractive destination for students, scientists, and businesses.
North Rhine-Westphalia has a diverse higher education landscape: 14 public universities, 16 public universities of applied sciences, 7 state art and music universities, 25 recognized private and church universities with headquarters in North Rhine-Westphalia, 5 administrative universities, and another 11 universities with headquarters outside North Rhine-Westphalia.
More than 50 non-university research institutions are based in North Rhine-Westphalia - including 14 Max Planck Institutes jointly funded by the federal and state governments, 14 Fraunhofer Institutes and two Fraunhofer facilities, 10 Leibniz Institutes as well as three research centres of the Helmholtz Association and one Helmholtz Institute in Münster. In addition, there are 16 state-funded institutes of the Johannes Rau Research Association.
Pioneering ideas for the future are developed at these non-university research centres. They complement and strengthen North Rhine-Westphalia as a centre of research.
Overview of research Institutions of North Rhine-Westphalia: Research Institutions of NRW
By fostering a strong connection between academia, research, and industry, North Rhine-Westphalia plays an important role in addressing global challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, and healthcare advancements. The region’s commitment to education and innovation ensures it remains a cornerstone of Germany's academic and scientific progress.
For more details, please visit:
Ministry of Culture and Science of NRW
Map of universities: source Ministry of Culture and Science of NRW
