Potsdam, the provincial capital of Brandenburg, is a city of knowledge. Out of a population of 150,000, approximately 5,000 people work with Potsdam's scientific institutions. No other city in Germany has a higher percentage of scientists among its population. 

Whether you are looking for a particular institute, or just want to get an idea of Potsdam's diverse scientific community: check out the following comprehensive list of the city's scientific and research institutions, including

» Universities
» Research institutes
» Science for the public 

The list is based on the Atlas of Science, first published by the City of Potsdam in 2003, Potsdam's "Year of Science".

» Atlas of Science: Map with locations  (PDF, 3 MB, in German)

 More than 21,000 students are currently enrolled at Potsdam University, the University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule), the Film and Television Academy "Konrad Wolf", the newly founded Babelsberg Film School, and the private, but state-approved University of Management and Communication (UMC). More than 40 other research institutions are located in this region, such as Max Planck Institutes, Fraunhofer Institutes, institutes of the Leibniz Society and the Helmholtz Centre Potsdam with its German Research Centre for Geosciences. The Hasso Plattner-Institute for Software Systems Engineering (HPI), founded in 1998, is the first and only fully privately funded university institute in Germany. In addition, plans exist to establish a leading institute for climate research and sustainability studies named IASS (Institute for Advanced Studies - Climate, Earth System and Sustainability Studies).

Visiting scientists from all parts of the world make up roughly 25 per cent of Potsdam's scientific community. Before their arrival and during their stay in Potsdam, the Welcome Center Potsdam, located both at the city hall (Stadthaus) and at the university, provides support and assistance for them and their families.

Potsdam's scientific institutions engage in bilateral and multilateral networks, with the University of Potsdam at the centre. The university's constitution stipulates that new chairs be filled jointly by the university and other scientific institutions. The university offers joint study programs with the Potsdam University of Applied Studies and with several universities abroad. LAUF, an association of scientific institutions unique to the state of Brandenburg, represents the common interests of non-university research institutions.

Since 2007, the City of Potsdam has bestowed an annual award upon young scientists from Potsdam and the surrounding region for extraordinary achievements at the beginning of their scientific careers. The award is presented on Einstein Day, celebrated by the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences (BBAW).

The youngest explorers are attracted by the "Exploratorium", a hands-on science museum for children offering more than 100 exhibits on 1,400 square meters.

Institutions such as the Go:In, the Incubator, the Technology Incubation Centre TGZP and the Media Communication Centre serve to link science with the business world and support the establishment of new enterprises. In addition, the Potsdam Founders Forum aims at fostering the establishment of innovative companies in the Potsdam region by helping to create a positive business climate and improving the cooperation between science and industry.

ProWissen Potsdam, founded in 2004, is a non-profit organization connecting science and research with the political administration, the business community, cultural institutions and the general public. ProWissen, with more than 40 member organizations in its ranks, pursues an internal as well as an external marketing strategy: it promotes science to Potsdamers, and it engages in enhancing Potsdam's reputation as a city of knowledge.