DLR is the Federal Republic of Germany's research centre for aeronautics and space. We conduct research and development activities in the fields of aeronautics, space, energy, transport, security and digitalisation. The German Space Agency at DLR plans and implements the national space programme on behalf of the federal government. Two DLR project management agencies oversee funding programmes and support knowledge transfer.
Climate, mobility and technology are changing globally. DLR uses the expertise of its 55 research institutes and facilities to develop solutions to these challenges. Our 10,000 employees (as of February 2021) share a mission – to explore Earth and space and develop technologies for a sustainable future. In doing so, DLR contributes to strengthening Germany's position as a prime location for research and industry.
Working at DLR
DLR has 10,000 employees at 30 locations in Germany: Cologne (headquarters), Aachen, Aachen-Merzbrück, Augsburg, Berlin, Bonn, Braunschweig, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Cochstedt, Cottbus, Dresden, Geesthacht, Göttingen, Hamburg, Hanover, Jena, Jülich, Lampoldshausen, Neustrelitz, Oberpfaffenhofen, Oldenburg, Rheinbach, Stade, St. Augustin, Stuttgart, Trauen, Ulm, Weilheim and Zittau. DLR also has offices in Brussels, Paris, Tokyo and Washington D.C.
In the fiscal year 2019, DLR's budget for research and operations was 1155 million euro, 46 percent of which was third-party funding acquired through competitive tendering. The space budget, which is also managed by DLR, was 1511 million euro. Of this, the German contribution to financing the European Space Agency (ESA) accounted for 62 percent, the German contribution to the national space programme for 20 percent and space research at DLR for 18 percent. The DLR Project Management Agency's funding was 1540 million euro and the Project Management Agency for Aeronautics Research and Technology had a budget of 178 million euro.
DLR’s performance is based on its well trained and highly motivated employees, who are able to continue their training while at DLR. Equal opportunities are a top priority. Flexible working hours, part-time employment and special support measures ensure that work and family life can be satisfactorily combined.
Video: DLR at a glance — international sign language
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