The Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) offers a wide range of academic subjects in the areas of humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and medicine. The oldest and largest university in Saxony-Anhalt was created in 1817 when the University of Wittenberg (founded in 1502) merged with Friedrichs University Halle (founded in 1694). Today the university has 340 professors and 20,000 students. Research at the university focuses on nano and life sciences, the Enlightenment, society and culture.

The Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben is a non-university research centre of the Leibniz Association with more than 500 employees. The basic and applied interdisciplinary research of the institute focuses on gaining knowledge and developing novel technologies enabling the comprehensive use of genetic plant resources for food security and sustainable plant production.

The Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry (IPB), Halle (Saale) is a non-university research institution with about 200 employees. The research focuses on chemical diversity, biosynthesis, biological roles, and mechanisms of action of plant and fungal natural products, with an emphasis on specialized metabolites and chemical mediators. The knowledge gained paves the way to a plant-based bioeconomy: it facilitates sustainable crop production and innovative biotechnology to improve the nutrition and health of humans, animals, and plants.

iDiv is a DFG research centre with more than 450 employees and members based primarily in Halle, Jena and Leipzig. Here, researchers from 40 nations establish the scientific basis for the sustainable management of our planet’s biodiversity.