Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI

Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI

Das Fraunhofer-Institut für System- und Innovationsforschung ISI analysiert Entstehung und Auswirkungen von Innovationen.
© Fraunhofer ISI / shutterstock.com / Andrey Suslov, Rabbit_Photo, Anatolii Babii
The Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI analyzes the origins and impacts of innovations.

Fraunhofer ISI

shaping | the future | together

© Fraunhofer ISI / shutterstock.com / Andrey Suslov, Rabbit_Photo, Anatolii Babii

Our research

Fraunhofer ISI conducts research as an independent thought leader for society, politics and industry. 

 

What we offer

We study the conditions under which innovations emerge and their effects – at the scientific, economic, ecological, social, organizational, legal and political level. We assess the potential and limitations of technical, organizational and institutional innovations and help decision-makers from industry, science and politics make strategic decisions. At the Joint Innovation Hub we make the world a better place by working with our clients to implement innovative developments.

Our expertise

Our employees combine their technical, economic and social science knowledge in nine departments with more than 30 business units and research groups. This synergy of different skills and research areas forms the basis of our long-standing expertise in systems and innovation research.

Our methods

We work with a broad spectrum of methods  from advanced scientific theories, models and social science measurement instruments, and continuously develop these using empirical findings from our research projects.

News

Press Release / 23.10.2026

A study calls for strengthening Europe’s innovation clusters

As an innovation location, Germany, and indeed the whole of Europe, is facing mounting pressure from international competition. A new study by Fraunhofer ISI on behalf of the European Round Table for Industry reveals the role that powerful innovation clusters could play in Europe’s competitiveness in the future. Although Europe still has strong research locations and industrial innovation clusters, there is the risk of the continent falling behind the US and China when it comes to investment in new and emerging fields of technology. The study therefore recommends consolidating existing strengths and focusing on enhancing internationally competitive innovation clusters in Europe.

to the press release
 

© Fraunhofer ISI

Battery Update / 22.10.2026

Company Cars for Europe's Electric Vehicle Industry: What Two Proposed EU Laws Could Mean for the Economy

The proposed EU regulations IAA and CCVR could significantly strengthen the production of electric vehicles and key components in Europe, a modeling study by Fraunhofer ISI shows.

read the Battery Update

Policy Brief / 19.10.2026

Funding participation, not just requiring it: How can research funders improve transdisciplinary research?

Addressing today’s societal challenges requires research that closely connects science and practice. A new policy brief explores how transdisciplinary research can be supported more effectively. Drawing on experiences from the "SHARED GREEN DEAL" project, authors from Fraunhofer ISI, Dutch Research Institute for Transitions, and Anglia Ruskin University present concrete recommendations for future-oriented research funding that enables participation, collaboration, and societal impact.

Press Release / 24.9.2026

New study maps where electric truck charging demand will emerge in Europe

A new technical report by Fraunhofer ISI and the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) provides a detailed picture of where and when charging demand for battery electric trucks is likely to arise across Europe through 2045. Using the newly developed VESUVIO model, the researchers show that charging demand will grow strongly in the coming decades, remain highly concentrated in a limited number of locations, and differ substantially across countries.

to the press release

Press Release / 17.9.2026

Innovation and Data Protection: A European approach between competitiveness and basic rights

Less data protection, more innovation? A new policy paper by Plattform Privatheit (Platform Privacy), which is coordinated by Fraunhofer ISI, shows why this simple equation falls short. Instead, the authors argue for a European approach that combines innovative capacity and competitive strength with data protection, self-determination and digital sovereignty. 

to the press release

Press Release / 5.8.2026

Human-centered value creation: The key to industrial success

Industrial progress is increasingly shaped by digital and AI-driven technologies. Automation, data-driven systems and intelligent machines are fundamentally transforming production and innovation processes. At the same time, it is becoming clear that: Technological performance does not arise solely from new systems, but largely from the way employees are integrated into production and change processes. A new study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI makes it clear that human-centered value creation can be a key factor for innovation and productivity in companies.

to the press release

Announcement / 3.8.2026

KIT appoints Jakob Edler as Professor for “Governance of transformative innovation“

Jakob Edler’s new professorship focuses on governance and state policy in science and innovation in the context of socio-economic transformations. The professorship will contribute to broadening the ties between KIT and Fraunhofer ISI, intensifying personal connections and enhancing collaboration in research.

 

© Fraunhofer ISI

Publication series

Current Policy Brief

Our Departments

With our broad, interdisciplinary perspective, we deliver a diverse range of research services for our clients. These are organized into nine departments, encompassing more than 30 business units and research groups, as well as the Joint Innovation Hub:

© gettyimages.de/Don White

Energy Policy and Energy Markets

We examine how the political and institutional framework of sustainable energy systems can be designed, further developed and evaluated.

© shutterstock.com/hrui

Energy Technology and Energy Systems

We analyze innovative energy technologies and their contribution to a sustainable energy system from a strategic perspective.

© gettyimages.de/Linghe Zhao

Foresight

We develop, implement and conduct foresight processes within business, politics and society.

© gettyimages.de/olaser

Innovation and Knowledge Economy

We analyze the prerequisites for innovations and their effects from the company level up to national innovation systems.

© gettyimages.de/WePro

Sustainability and Infrastructure Systems

We analyze the prequisites and possibilities to reduce emissions, and improve resource efficiency.

© gettyimages.de/© Marco Bottigelli

Emerging Technologies

We deal with the identification, evaluation and design of new technological developments and socio-technical transformations.

© gettyimages.de/fhm

Policy for Innovation

Research and innovation are increasingly called upon to contribute to overcoming societal challenges. We examine the resulting requirements.

© gettyimages.de/Krzysztof Baranowski

Regional Transformation and Innovation Policy

We analyze, evaluate and develop instruments to shape regional transformation processes and innovation policy interventions.

© gettyimages.de/olaser

Knowledge and Technology Transfer

We improve the transfer of knowledge and technology between science, industry and society.

© shutterstock.com/Yurchanka Siarhei

Joint Innovation Hub

We make the world a better place to live in by applying a scientific, systemic approach to anticipate innovative developments in good time, analyze them, and work with you to design and implement them in a sustainable way.