• "Pure" basic research, represented by the Max Planck Society.
• "Application-oriented" research and development, represented by the Fraunhofer Society.
• The Helmholtz Association, which brings together major research institutions.
• Governmental departmental research (federal research institutes), which serves preliminary research and sovereign tasks (e.g., disease control).
• "Application-oriented" basic research, represented by the Leibniz Association. Institutes in this sector often work closely with universities, ministries, and industry. Many of these institutes (e.g., ATB, IGZ, ZALF) are jointly funded by the federal and state governments and have close collaborative ties with the universities and universities of applied sciences listed previously. For example: IGZ collaborates closely with HU Berlin and Humboldt- Universität, ATB works with the University of Potsdam and TU Berlin, IPK is a key partner for Martin Luther University Halle- Wittenberg.

1. Plant & Crop Sciences

Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) Gatersleben

Focus: One of the world's largest gene banks for crop plants, fundamental research in plant genetics, genomics, and breeding research for cereals and other crops.

Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ) Großbeeren/Erfurt

Focus: Dedicated horticultural research. Systems-oriented research on vegetable and ornamental plant production, focusing on resource efficiency, quality, and sustainable cultivation systems (e.g., greenhouse, hydroponics).

Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO) Halle (Saale)

Focus: Agricultural policy, development, and structural change in Central, Eastern, and Southeast Europe as well as Asia.

Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB) Potsdam

Focus: Precision agriculture and bioeconomy. Research on intelligent machinery, process engineering for plant and animal production, and the conversion of biomass into materials and energy.

Focus: Biology of farm animals, including genetics, nutrition, physiology, and behavior, with an emphasis on animal welfare and sustainable production.

Focus: Wildlife biology, which intersects with agriculture in areas like zoonotic diseases and human-wildlife conflict.

4. Ecosystem & Soil Sciences (Foundational for Agriculture/Horticulture)

Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) Müncheberg

Focus: Land use in agricultural landscapes. Research on soil health, water management, biodiversity, and climate adaptation strategies for agricultural systems.

Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry (IPB) Halle (Saale)

Focus: Molecular and chemical basis of plant interactions with the environment, relevant for natural product use and plant protection.

• The (often limited) research at universities of applied sciences, mostly conducted in the form of thesis projects (Diploma, Bachelor's, Master's theses).
• Research on practical questions at teaching and experimental stations (e.g., on crop varieties or cultivation methods), which is more aligned with development than with fundamental research.