BUNDESANSTALT FUER GEOWISSENSCHAFTEN UND ROHSTOFFE

Their core work

BGR is Germany's federal geological survey and research institute, providing scientific advice on georesources, subsurface use, and geological risks. Their core work spans CO2 geological storage site assessment, critical raw materials intelligence, groundwater management, and radioactive waste disposal safety. They serve as a national knowledge hub translating deep earth science into policy guidance and industrial applications, particularly for Europe's energy transition and resource security strategies.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

BGR's early H2020 work (2015-2018) concentrated on subsurface characterization — CO2 storage site validation, shale gas environmental risks, mineral intelligence, and coastal groundwater. From 2019 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward industrial decarbonisation applications, with CCUS projects targeting steel and cement industries (C4U, LEILAC2), alongside a broadening role in pan-European geological data infrastructure (GeoERA) and nuclear waste disposal (EURAD). The evolution reflects a move from fundamental geoscience research toward applied industrial climate solutions.

BGR is positioning itself as a go-to partner for industrial decarbonisation projects requiring subsurface geological expertise, particularly CCUS deployment in heavy industry.

How they like to work

BGR exclusively operates as a consortium partner or third-party contributor — they have never coordinated an H2020 project. With 305 unique partners across 47 countries, they function as a widely connected specialist that brings geological authority to large, multi-partner consortia. Their participation spans Research & Innovation Actions, Coordination & Support Actions, and Innovation Actions alike, suggesting they are valued both for scientific input and for coordination support roles within broader teams.

BGR has collaborated with 305 distinct partners across 47 countries, making them one of the most broadly networked geological institutions in H2020. Their reach spans well beyond Europe, though the concentration in environment and energy projects anchors them firmly in the European research ecosystem.

What sets them apart

BGR is a federal institution — not a university lab or private consultancy — which gives it regulatory credibility and access to national geological datasets that few partners can match. Their rare combination of CCUS field experience, critical raw materials policy work, and nuclear waste disposal expertise makes them a triple-threat partner for any consortium dealing with Europe's subsurface challenges. For industry partners, BGR brings governmental legitimacy and deep geological data that de-risks subsurface project proposals.

Highlights from their portfolio

• GeoERA
  Largest funded project (EUR 639K) establishing a pan-European geological service — reflects BGR's ambition to unify geological survey data across the continent.
• LEILAC2
  Demonstration-scale project (EUR 422K) for low-emission cement and lime production — represents BGR's push into industrial-scale CCUS deployment.
• ENOS
  EUR 510K project running real-world CO2 storage pilots and field experiments across European onshore sites — core to BGR's subsurface storage expertise.