Research institutes
Last updated: 7.1.2025
European research institutes: Think tanks inventing a better tomorrow
When it comes to innovative technologies, global corporations and high-tech enterprises may be at the forefront of public attention. But away from the spotlight, universities and research institutes are quietly leading the way in many technical fields. Discover the most important think tanks across Europe, including numerous winners and finalists of the European Inventor Award.
Materials for teachers
Looking to create university courses on Intellectual Property? The European Patent Academy offers a number of teaching materials covering the basics of the European patent system, specifically designed for use by university lecturers.
Interactive teaching materials
Here's your chance to discover the basics of Intellectual Property practice in our free interactive Patent Information Tour, offering four thematic e-learning modules.
Did you know?
According to the EPO's 2023 figures, K.U. Leuven, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, and Danmarks Tekniske Universitet led the field in terms of patent applications among European institutes of higher education.
European research institutes: Think tanks inventing a better tomorrow
They are developing the medicines, "green" technologies and digital gadgets of the future. They employ a host of hundreds of thousands of scientists, transforming research budgets worth billions of Euros into valuable patents and successful products.
Without a doubt, Europe's universities, technical colleges and private research institutes are international leaders when it comes to innovation. Each year, the EPO receive thousands of patent applications from hundreds of institutions of higher education across Europe.
The growing roster of groundbreaking achievements from European research institutes also includes winners and finalists of the European Inventor Award. Here are some highlights:
- Cambridge: Dedicated to scientific excellence
The scientific legacy continues at the Cambridge University whose alumni already include luminaries such as Francis Bacon, Isaac Newton and Stephen Hawking. Over 120 staff and alumni have received Nobel Prizes and the university is routinely ranked among the top ten learning institutes in the world by multiple university ranking bodies.
Several researchers from Cambridge University have been recognised at the European Inventor Award:
John Daugman (UK): Iris recognition system
Helen Lee (UK): Diagnostic Kits for developing countries
Carol Robinson (UK): Advancing biochemistry with mass spectrometry
- Fraunhofer Society: Think tank built on tradition
Since its founding in 1949, the German Fraunhofer Society has grown into a powerhouse among European research institutes. It employs some 32 000 people across 76 locations, with an annual research budget of €3.4 billion per year. Their researchers span various technical fields and develop inventions for industrial companies and federal institutions.
Fraunhofer scientists and researchers are routinely honoured at the European Inventor Award:
Adolf Goetzberger (Germany): Pioneering work in solar energy
Karlheinz Brandenburg (Germany): Invention of the MP3
Jürgen Pfitzer and Helmut Nägele (Germany): Arboform renewable plastic
- Max Planck: International standout
Hardly any other European research institute maintains a more pronounced competitive edge on the international market than the German-based Max Planck Society. The society headquartered in Munich has consistently ranked first in Germany in the Nature Index, which tracks the number of articles published in leading scientific journals and the contributions made by the institution's researchers.
Max Planck scientists have been known to push the boundaries of what is scientifically possible. It is little wonder that they are often among the finalists and winners at the European Inventor Award:
Stefan Hell (Germany): STED microscope
Ursula Keller (Switzerland): Pioneer in ultra-fast laser technology
Jens Frahm (Germany): Improved magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Axel Ullrich (Germany): Next-generation cancer treatments and breakthroughs in laboratory genetics
Thomas Tuschl (Germany): Gene-silencing technique to treat diseases
Matthias Mann (Germany): Protein analysis to diagnose disease
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS): Award-winning innovation
Founded in 1939, the CNRS continues to lead the way as one of Europe's main state-funded research agencies. Headquartered in Paris, the center employs 33 000 specialists across 1 110 laboratories with an annual budget of €4 billion.
In addition to numerous Nobel Prizes in chemistry, medicine and physics, the CNRS is also regularly honoured at the European Inventor Award:
Gilles Gosselin (France): New drug for hepatitis B treatment
Bruno Berge (France): Small, resilient liquid lenses
Ludwik Leiber (Poland): Vitrimers – a new class of polymers
Sylviane Muller (France): Treating lupus by targeting T-cells
Claude Grison (France): Decontaminating polluted soils with metal-eating plants
- Catholic University Leuven/Louvain: All eyes on the future
Founded in 1425, the University of Leuven is the oldest Catholic university in the entire world. But instead of relying on tradition, Leuven has its eyes set firmly on the future and constantly delivers breakthrough achievements in the medical field. With 65 000 students representing over 150 nationalities, the university is a hub that encourages cutting-edge research and global collaboration across a wide range of disciplines.
The University is not only held in high regard as a learning institute, but has also featured prominently at the European Inventor Award:
Erik De Clercq (Belgium): Contributions to antiviral therapy
Yves Jongen (Belgium): Proton beams to treat cancer
Joan Daemen (Belgium), Pierre-Yvan Liardet (France) and team: Secure smart-card encryption
Johan Martens, Tom Bosserez and Jan Rongé (Belgium): Green hydrogen from sunlight and air
Michiel Dusselier and Bert Sels (Belgium): A cheaper and greener process for producing bioplastics
