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

Blog Post / 2.6.2026

Sustainable Supply of Materials for the Energy Transition: The Key Trends

Materials are indispensable for manufacturing components and products. Yet resource scarcity and international crises can lead to supply bottlenecks and material shortages. Which trends are relevant, and where do the greatest uncertainties emerge? An analysis from the Fraunhofer Flagship Project ORCHESTER identifies 75 future trends and condenses them into the main drivers. Three "Game Changers" illustrate why action is needed now to ensure a sustainable and resilient supply of materials for the energy transition.

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New Report / 2.6.2026

ERA Scoreboard 2025: Continuous progress across European Research Area priorities

The EU, its Member States and countries associated to Horizon Europe have continued to make substantial progress from 2010 to 2023 in key research and innovation areas across the EU, according to the latest European Research Area (ERA) Scoreboard 2025. The full report on the ERA Scoreboard 2025 was prepared by Chiara Ferrante, Peter Neuhäusler and Rainer Frietsch from Fraunhofer ISI's Department of Innovation and Knowledge Economy.

Blog Post / 1.6.2026

Used electric vehicles in Germany: A mature market with bright prospects

The market for second-hand electric vehicles in Germany has changed fundamentally: What used to be a niche market a few years ago is evolving into an established market segment with a growing supply, transparent pricing structures and reliable quality standards. An analysis by Fraunhofer ISI provides insights into the prices for used battery-electric cars. It shows a high availability of electric cars in mid-price ranges, indicating a solid market.

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Blog Post / 12.5.2026

What can Europe‘s AI-future look like?

In the project “Foresight on Demand” representatives of the European Commission have created together with experts scenarios for artificial intelligence in Europe in the year 2040. Professor Kerstin Cuhls is a foresight researcher who organized the scenario-process. In conversation with Dr. Bernd Beckert she explains the results.

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Press Release / 5.5.2026

Company survey on the transformation of Germany’s automotive industry reveals a split when it comes to the ICE sales ban and CO2 fleet limits

The German automotive industry’s transformation toward electric mobility is more advanced than is often assumed. This is shown by a strategy paper based on a survey of managers in the automotive industry. In particular, those companies that have already invested heavily in electrification are opposed to any watering down in phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles and CO2 emission performance standards. 

to the press release
 

© Fraunhofer ISI

Battery Update / 20.4.2026

Battery recycling for electric vehicles in East Asia: three countries, three policy approaches

Used batteries from electric vehicles are not waste, but a strategic source of raw materials. Different countries have different policy frameworks for the recycling of electric vehicle batteries. A look at East Asia also offers lessons for Germany and the EU.

read the Battery Update

Publication / 9.4.2026

Transporting the future

The paper “Transporting the future: A methodology and case study for pipeline imports of hydrogen derivatives to Germany” highlights the strategic importance of considering pipeline imports of liquid derivatives in infrastructure planning and suggests that repurposing existing oil and gas pipelines could offer substantial cost advantages. 

A case study demonstrates that it could be 10 times more cost-effective to transport liquid hydrogen derivatives via pipeline than hydrogen or CO2, even across elevated Alpine terrain. A sensitivity analysis identifies pipeline capital expenses, infrastructure reuse, and the weighted average cost of capital as the main cost drivers. 

 

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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:

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Energy Policy and Energy Markets

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

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Energy Technology and Energy Systems

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

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Foresight

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

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Innovation and Knowledge Economy

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

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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.

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Policy and Society

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.

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Knowledge and Technology Transfer

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

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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.