DEUTSCHES ZENTRUM FUR LUFT - UND RAUMFAHRT EV

Their core work

DLR is Germany's national aerospace, energy, and transport research centre — one of Europe's largest and most diversified research institutions. They develop and test technologies across aeronautics, space systems, energy conversion, and ground transportation, operating major wind tunnels, simulation facilities, and satellite ground stations. Beyond their core engineering research, DLR also runs a significant EU-wide coordination role, managing networks of National Contact Points and policy alignment initiatives across multiple Horizon 2020 programme pillars. Their dual identity as both a heavyweight technical lab and a programme coordination hub makes them uniquely embedded in the European research landscape.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2014–2017), DLR invested heavily in EU programme infrastructure — building and running National Contact Point networks, policy dialogue platforms, and cross-programme alignment initiatives across health, humanities, space, and widening participation. From 2018 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward applied technology: machine learning, digital twins, drone airspace management (U-space), condition-based maintenance, and certification frameworks. This reflects a transition from "helping Europe organize its research" to "building the next generation of aerospace and transport technologies."

DLR is rapidly digitalizing its traditional aerospace and transport domains — expect future work centred on AI-driven simulation, autonomous aviation systems, and predictive maintenance.

How they like to work

DLR operates primarily as a large-consortium participant (368 of 467 projects), but takes the coordinator seat frequently enough (89 projects, ~19%) to be considered a credible consortium leader when needed. With 3,061 unique partners across 100 countries, they function as a mega-hub in the European research network — few organizations can match their breadth of connections. Working with DLR means access to an enormous partner network and deep institutional knowledge of EU programme mechanics, but expect to operate within large, structured consortia rather than agile small teams.

DLR has collaborated with over 3,000 unique partners across 100 countries, making them one of the most connected research organizations in Horizon 2020. Their network spans all EU member states and extends globally, with particular density in Western European aerospace and transport clusters.

What sets them apart

DLR occupies a rare dual role: they are simultaneously one of Europe's top technical research centres in aerospace and energy AND one of the most active coordinators of EU programme support infrastructure (NCP networks, policy alignment). This means they understand both the science and the funding machinery at a level few organizations can match. For consortium builders, DLR brings not just world-class labs and simulation facilities, but also deep relationships with funding programme managers and a tested ability to run complex multi-partner projects.

Highlights from their portfolio

• LPA GAM 2018
  Largest single EC contribution at EUR 19.4M — a flagship Clean Sky 2 large passenger aircraft programme demonstrating DLR's role in Europe's biggest aviation R&D initiative.
• NET4SOCIETY4
  DLR coordinated this EUR 1.5M pan-European NCP network for social sciences and humanities, illustrating their unusual range beyond hard engineering into programme coordination.
• TE2 GAM 2018
  As coordinator of the Technology Evaluator for Clean Sky, DLR assessed the fleet-level emission reduction impact of new aircraft technologies — a unique cross-programme evaluation role.