Forschungszentrum Julich
Forschungszentrum Jülich is a German government research center operating JUPITER (Europe's first exascale supercomputer) and JUNIQ quantum computing infrastructure, serving academic researchers, European research consortia, and industry partners across energy, information, and bioeconomy domains.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1956
- HeadquartersJülich, Germany
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Forschungszentrum Julich does
Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) is a large multidisciplinary government research center founded in 1956 in Jülich, Germany, operating as a member of the Helmholtz Association — Germany's largest scientific organization. The center employs approximately 7,571 staff across 16+ specialized institutes covering energy (hydrogen, electrochemical, photovoltaics, fusion), information (supercomputing, quantum, neuromorphic computing, simulation science), and bioeconomy (plant sciences, biotechnology, agrosphere, neuroscience, structural biology). Its core research infrastructure includes JUPITER, Europe's first exascale supercomputer (>1 ExaFLOP/s, ranked 5th globally on TOP500 and most energy-efficient in its class), and JUNIQ, the world's first quantum computing user infrastructure providing access to multiple quantum systems including a D-Wave Advantage2 and eleQtron MAGIC ion-trap processors.
FZJ operates as a non-commercial research institution funded principally by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia through the Helmholtz Association, supplemented by European Commission grants (EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, EU Chips Act, EERA Clean Hydrogen) and industry collaborations with partners such as Ericsson, Siemens Energy, ZEISS, D-Wave, NVIDIA, and eleQtron. Its technology transfer occurs via the Innovation Management division, which supports spin-offs (Drought Analytics, Hyca Heat, ARQUE Systems), patent licensing, and joint development. Distribution of computing resources follows a competitive application model for academic researchers and a direct enterprise engagement model for industry partners.
The center's business model does not rely on commercial product pricing; instead, value is captured through institutional funding, competitive computing-time allocation, collaborative research agreements, and IP commercialization. Customers span academic researchers, European research consortia (EERA Clean Hydrogen covers 250+ organizations), government agencies (DLR), and enterprise partners in energy, telecoms, and quantum computing. Branch operations in Erlangen (HI ERN) and Münster (HI MS) extend its renewable energy and storage research footprint.
Forschungszentrum Julich firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Forschungszentrum Julich
- Legal name
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
- Website
- https://fz-juelich.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1956
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Forschungszentrum Jülich is a German government research center operating JUPITER (Europe's first exascale supercomputer) and JUNIQ quantum computing infrastructure, serving academic researchers, European research consortia, and industry partners across energy, information, and bioeconomy domains.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Forschungszentrum Julich industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Scientific Research Infrastructure and Services
- NAICS
- Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy) (BPAIAAAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Research Universities with National Laboratories/Big Science Facilities (EDAHAAAJ), Research Collaboration & Joint Labs (International Partnerships) (EDAIABAC)
Keywords
Where Forschungszentrum Julich is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Jülich
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Forschungszentrum Julich business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Government Research Funding: Primary funding from German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), state government of North Rhine-Westphalia, and membership in the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers.
- European Commission Research Grants: Funding through EuroHPC Joint Undertaking and other EU programmes including Chips Act for quantum technology development and AI infrastructure.
- Industry Collaborations: Collaborative research agreements with companies such as Ericsson, Siemens Energy, ZEISS, and D-Wave for joint technology development.
- Computing Time Allocation: Provision of computing time on JUPITER and JUNIQ to national and international research projects through competitive review processes.
- Technology Transfer and Licensing: Transfer of research outcomes through spin-off companies, patent licensing, and technology commercialization via Innovation Management division.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | Guest house room in shared 4-person apartment |
| Other | Monthly | Guest house 1-room flat (small) |
| Other | Monthly | Guest house 1-room flat (large) |
| Other | Monthly | Guest house 2-room flat |
| Other | Monthly | Guest house 3-room flat |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Canteen lunch for visitors |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels12 records
Forschungszentrum Julich product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Forschungszentrum Jülich is a large multidisciplinary research center conducting scientific research in energy, information, and bioeconomy domains. It operates major research infrastructure including the JUPITER exascale supercomputer and JUNIQ quantum computing user infrastructure, providing computing time to academic and industry researchers through competitive review processes. The center also coordinates large-scale European research programmes (e.g., EERA Clean Hydrogen) and conducts collaborative research with industry partners, with technology transfer through spin-offs, patents, and licensing.
Product overview
Forschungszentrum Jülich is a large multidisciplinary research organization operating as part of the Helmholtz Association. Its portfolio consists of specialized research institutes, major research infrastructure, and technical facilities rather than commercial products. The core infrastructure includes JUPITER (Europe's first exascale supercomputer exceeding 1 ExaFLOP/s) and JUNIQ (the world's first quantum computing user infrastructure providing access to various quantum systems). Additional offerings span specialized institutes covering bio- and geosciences (IBG), biological information processing (IBI), climate and energy systems (ICE), energy technologies (IET), fusion energy and nuclear waste management (IFN), hydrogen economy (IHE), energy materials and devices (IMD), neuroscience and medicine (INM), supercomputing (JSC), and quantum/semiconductor research through the Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI). Technical support services include electronics, data processing, construction, and workshop facilities. The organization also operates visitor services and a guest house.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- JUPITER Exascale Supercomputer Access Computing time on Europe's first exascale supercomputer (>1 ExaFLOP/s at 64-bit precision, ranked 5th on TOP500), allocated to national and international research projects for scientific simulations in climate, energy, medical, and materials research through competitive application processes. Over 120 projects have applied for computing time.
- JUNIQ Quantum Computing User Infrastructure World's first quantum computing user infrastructure providing scientists and industry users access to various quantum computing systems at different development stages, including the D-Wave Advantage2 annealing quantum computer.
- Guest House Accommodation Accommodation facility in Jülich city center with 62 units in five categories (shared 4-person apartment from EUR 395/month to 3-room flat at EUR 1,460/month), serving employees, visiting scientists, and students of Forschungszentrum Jülich.
- Campus Visitor Tours Free guided tours of the campus for groups of 10 or more people on weekdays, with topics aligned to specific research areas.
Quantifiable outcome
- JUPITER achieved 1 ExaFLOP/s computing performance, exceeding the exascale threshold as first European supercomputer
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Forschungszentrum Julich
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Forschungszentrum Julich technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability11 records
Feature7 records
Forschungszentrum Julich partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- European Energy Research Alliance (EERA)coreProf. Peter Wasserscheid appointed coordinator of EERA's Clean Hydrogen research programme covering hydrogen production, storage technologies, and applications in industry, mobility, and energy trading across 250+ European research organizations.
- Alexander von Humboldt FoundationcoreFriedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Prize awarded to Prof. Iryna Zenyuk enabling her research stay at Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg (HI ERN), a branch of Forschungszentrum Jülich.
- NVIDIAcoreCollaboration with NVIDIA on the JUPITER supercomputer using GH200 Superchips for quantum simulation research. The 50-qubit simulation required over 16,000 GH200 Superchips.
- GSI HelmholtzzentrumcoreLaser experiments conducted at GSI Helmholtzzentrum in Darmstadt using PHELIX high-power laser on pre-polarized Helium-3 gas for laser-plasma acceleration research.
- EricssoncoreCollaboration to develop neuromorphic AI for telecoms focusing on energy-efficient hardware architectures for future networks including 6G. Uses Europe's fastest supercomputer Jupiter for AI and HPC research.
- SPINS Consortiumcore€50 million semiconductor quantum pilot line under EU Chips Act coordinated by imec with 25 European partners including Forschungszentrum Jülich, focusing on semiconductor-based spin qubits for quantum computing.
- RWTH Aachen UniversitycoreLong-standing research partnership in quantum computing, including collaboration on fault-tolerant quantum computation demonstration using trapped-ion quantum processor implementing Grover's search algorithm.
- ETH ZurichcoreCollaboration with Paul Scherrer Institute, RWTH Aachen University, and Forschungszentrum Jülich on quantum operations between superconducting logical qubits while correcting errors during computation.
- SPINNING Project PartnerscoreJoint project developing diamond spin-photon-based quantum computer with 6 universities, 2 non-profit research institutions, 5 industrial companies, and 14 associated partners. Coordinated by Fraunhofer IAF.
- eleQtroncoreeleQtron develops scalable ion trap quantum processors using MAGIC technology in partnership with Forschungszentrum Jülich and DLR. Long-term collaboration for scalable quantum chip production in Europe.
- Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD)coreCollaboration with FMD to establish scalable quantum chip production in Europe using FMD's microfabrication expertise. Involves Fraunhofer ENAS and Fraunhofer ISIT focusing on heterogeneous integration and novel packaging.
- Siemens EnergycoreJoint megawatt-scale electrolyzer test facility with Siemens Energy where researchers study aging processes in electrolyzers using advanced ZEISS X-ray and scanning electron microscopes.
- ZEISScoreZEISS X-ray and scanning electron microscopes used by Forschungszentrum Jülich researchers to study aging processes in electrolyzers for improving hydrogen production efficiency.
- EuroHPC AI Factories NetworkcoreEuroHPC selected new AI Factory in Germany to work alongside JUPITER, providing AI-optimized high-performance computing resources, training, and technical expertise to startups, SMEs, and researchers.
- D-Wave Quantum Inc.coreD-Wave's Advantage2 annealing quantum computer was purchased for installation at Jülich Supercomputing Centre. D-Wave highlighted collaboration with Jülich as evidence of quantum's near-term viability for practical applications.
- Human Brain ProjectcoreForschungszentrum Jülich participated in the decade-long EU-funded Human Brain Project advancing digital neuroscience and brain research infrastructure.
- CINECAminorEuroHPC JU procured EuroQCS-Italy quantum computer to be hosted by CINECA in Bologna as part of Europe's quantum computing infrastructure integration.
- EuroHPC Joint UndertakingcoreEuroHPC JU developed and procured JUPITER, Europe's first exascale supercomputer. The joint undertaking coordinates European high-performance computing resources and has invested significantly in Jülich's supercomputing infrastructure.
- ARQUE SystemsminorSpin-off from Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen University developing scalable quantum computer architecture using conventional semiconductor technology. First quantum processor being installed at Jülich Supercomputing Centre.
- de.NBI / ELIXIR GermanycoreIBG-5 coordinates the German Network for Bioinformatics Infrastructure (de.NBI) and ELIXIR Germany, the German node of the European ELIXIR infrastructure, providing bioinformatics tools and training.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Forschungszentrum Julich competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CINECA: Italian non-profit computing consortium and EuroHPC hosting site (hosting Leonardo pre-exascale and EuroQCS-Italy quantum computer). Direct peer to FZJ as another EuroHPC national supercomputing centre competing for European research allocations and serving as a hosting site for European quantum infrastructure.
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC): Spain's national supercomputing centre, host of the MareNostrum pre-exascale system and an early EuroHPC site. Direct peer to FZJ in operating tier-1 European HPC infrastructure and coordinating large European research consortia.
- Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS): Operates the Alps supercomputer and provides national HPC services to Swiss academia and industry. Direct peer to FZJ as a national HPC centre serving research and industry with tier-1 systems and EuroHPC integration.
- GENCI: France's national HPC agency operating TGCC and contributing to EuroHPC. Direct peer to FZJ in coordinating and providing HPC access to national research communities and as a EuroHPC partner.
- CEA (Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives): French government-funded multidisciplinary research organization covering energy, information technology, and defense. Direct peer to FZJ as a comparable large-scale European national research centre operating big-science infrastructure including HPC and quantum (TGCC host).
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT): Germany's largest research university and member of the Helmholtz Association, with significant HPC activities through SCC. Direct peer to FZJ as a German Helmholtz-affiliated research institution operating major research infrastructure including supercomputing.
Broad incumbents
- Max Planck Society: Germany's largest non-governmental basic research organization with 86 institutes covering physics, biology, materials, and more. Broad incumbent peer to FZJ as a fellow major German research umbrella organization operating at scale with significant federal/state co-funding.
- Fraunhofer Society: Europe's largest applied research organization with 76 institutes focused on contract research for industry. Broad incumbent peer to FZJ in German research landscape and a direct collaborator in quantum chip production (Research Fab Microelectronics Germany).
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory: U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory operating the Frontier exascale supercomputer (currently ranked #1 on TOP500). Broad incumbent peer to FZJ as a major national-lab operator of tier-1 exascale HPC infrastructure with similar research breadth.
- RIKEN: Japan's largest multidisciplinary research organization, operator of the Fugaku supercomputer (formerly #1 on TOP500). Broad incumbent peer to FZJ as a national research organization operating flagship HPC and quantum systems.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Forschungszentrum Julich social profiles
Digital presenceForschungszentrum Julich compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Forschungszentrum Julich financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Forschungszentrum Julich leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Forschungszentrum Julich subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Forschungszentrum Julich funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Forschungszentrum Julich M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Forschungszentrum Julich
What does Forschungszentrum Julich do?
Forschungszentrum Jülich is a large multidisciplinary research center conducting scientific research in energy, information, and bioeconomy domains. It operates major research infrastructure including the JUPITER exascale supercomputer and JUNIQ quantum computing user infrastructure, providing computing time to academic and industry researchers through competitive review processes. The center also coordinates large-scale European research programmes (e.g., EERA Clean Hydrogen) and conducts collaborative research with industry partners, with technology transfer through spin-offs, patents, and licensing.
Is Forschungszentrum Julich a public or private company?
Forschungszentrum Julich is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Forschungszentrum Julich founded?
Forschungszentrum Julich was founded in 1956. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Forschungszentrum Julich based?
Forschungszentrum Julich is headquartered in Jülich, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Forschungszentrum Julich make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Government Research Funding is the primary driver. The others are european Commission Research Grants, industry Collaborations, computing Time Allocation and technology Transfer and Licensing.
Who are Forschungszentrum Julich's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CINECA, Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS), GENCI, CEA (Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives) and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Broad incumbents are Max Planck Society, Fraunhofer Society, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and RIKEN.
Does Forschungszentrum Julich have an API?
No public API is recorded for Forschungszentrum Julich.
What industry is Forschungszentrum Julich in?
Forschungszentrum Julich's product category is Scientific Research Infrastructure and Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAAAK, Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy), with a secondary code of EDAHAAAJ, Public Research Universities with National Laboratories/Big Science Facilities. Its NAICS code is 5417 and its SIC code is 8731.