Research

Research Network

Research at Freie Universität Berlin is characterized by disciplinary and transdisciplinary excellence and the diversity of its academic networks – both internationally and in the Berlin-Brandenburg science hub. The strategic approach to research at Freie Universität Berlin, which is reinforced by the Excellence Initiative, focuses on the flexibility of new as well as established structures.

Research Diversity in Flexible Structures

In academic terms, Freie Universität Berlin has been profoundly shaped by its humanities. Nationally outstanding and internationally acclaimed, the humanities form an essential strand of its top-level research activities. Due to the university’s global networks and international focus, the social sciences and highly successful area studies are a central element of the university’s research profile.

Freie Universität Berlin’s natural sciences are as uniquely concentrated as they are diverse. Multifaceted networks contribute to their excellence of research: with the medical school Charité (joint department of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin), with the three other major universities and numerous non-research institutions in the Berlin-Potsdam area.

Since 2006, one of the special features of research at Freie Universität Berlin is the university’s targeted formation of research alliances called Focus Areas. The Focus Areas form academic and scientific networks and working platforms for interdisciplinary collaborative research at Freie Universität.

A Network to Promote the Transfer of Knowledge and Technology

Freie Universität Berlin has an extensive network with industry professionals. Many scientists cooperate with business partners in terms of contract research or joint projects. A team at Freie Universität Berlin that is responsible for Knowledge and Technology Transfer ensures that as many results of scientific research as possible can be commercially exploited and matches scientists with business partners. Moreover inventions and business ideas of students, scientists, or alumni are supported by various internal services of Freie Universität Berlin and a broad and vibrant network of investors, experts, and mentors. From 2006 to 2011 some 70 companies were founded with the university’s assistance.