Deutsches Institut für Erwachsenenbildung – Leibniz-Zentrum für Lebenslanges Lernen e.V.

What Deutsches Institut für Erwachsenenbildung – Leibniz-Zentrum für Lebenslanges Lernen e.V. does

The Deutsches Institut für Erwachsenenbildung – Leibniz-Zentrum für Lebenslanges Lernen e.V. (DIE) is a non-profit research institute and registered association headquartered in Bonn, Germany, operating as Germany's central research institution for adult education and lifelong learning since its founding in 1957. The institute is a member of the Leibniz-Gemeinschaft and is jointly funded by the German federal government (Bund) and state governments (Länder), with additional project funding from federal ministries. DIE serves three primary customer segments: the adult education research community (universities and research institutions), adult education practitioners (teachers, program planners, and managers working at Volkshochschulen and other providers), and education policymakers at federal and state level.

DIE's core offerings combine applied research, knowledge transfer, and research infrastructure services. The institute operates multiple digital portals including wb-web (for adult education teachers, launched December 2015), alpha-material (literacy and basic education resources), KANSAS-Suche (language learning search engine), ProfilPASS and GRETA PortfolioPlus (competence assessment instruments), and DiPA (digital VHS program archive launched 2020). It houses the largest scientific specialized library for adult education in the German-speaking world and maintains continuous Volkshochschul-Statistik data since the 1960s, providing unique longitudinal data assets. Publications are distributed through wbv Publikation and Springer Nature (which publishes the peer-reviewed Zeitschrift für Weiterbildungsforschung in open access), and the institute engages practitioners via DIALOG-Praxisnetzwerk (a network of 25 providers), annual DIE-Forum Weiterbildung events, and the biennial Preis für Innovation in der Erwachsenenbildung award.

The institute's business model is predominantly publicly funded, with most services provided free of charge and modest revenue from print publication sales through book trade channels. DIE is governed by a board comprising the Wissenschaftlicher Direktor (Prof. Dr. Hannes Schröter since April 2026, succeeding Prof. Dr. Josef Schrader) and Kaufmännische Direktorin (Bettina Pröger since 2013), with oversight from a Verwaltungsrat and Wissenschaftlicher Beirat. The 20-member association is equally split between practice and science representatives. The institute holds cooperation agreements with five German universities (Duisburg-Essen, Bonn, Marburg, Köln, FernUniversität Hagen) and participates in international networks including ESREA, EAEA, European Basic Skills Network, and ASEM Lifelong Learning Research Hub.

Name

Deutsches Institut für Erwachsenenbildung – Leibniz-Zentrum für Lebenslanges Lernen e.V.

Legal name

Deutsches Institut für Erwachsenenbildung – Leibniz-Zentrum für Lebenslanges Lernen e.V.

Website

https://die-bonn.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Deutsches Institut für Erwachsenenbildung (DIE) is a non-profit Leibniz-Gemeinschaft research institute in Bonn, Germany, providing applied research, digital portals, statistics, and infrastructure services for the German adult education and lifelong learning sector since 1957.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Education Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Educational Support Services (611710), Periodical Publishers (513120), Book Publishers (513130)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Research & Pedagogy Scholarly Publishing (EDAGAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarly Societies & Conference Proceedings Publishing (MPAJABAK), Academic & Scholarly Journals Publishing (Peer-Reviewed) (MPAJABAC)

Keywords

• Adult education research
• Continuing education services
• Lifelong learning research
• Adult literacy programs
• Educational policy advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Bonn

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public Institutional Funding: Core funding from Bund and Länder (federal and state governments) as a member of the Leibniz-Gemeinschaft. Additional project funding from federal ministries (BMBFSFJ, BMBF) and state science ministries.
2. Research Services and Publications: Open access publications distributed through partner publishers (wbv Publikation, Springer Nature) and the institute's own repository. Print publications available through book trade.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The DIE conducts applied research on adult and continuing education, produces longitudinal statistics and policy advice, and operates knowledge-transfer services for educators and policymakers in Germany. It publishes peer-reviewed journals, books, and open-access materials; runs digital portals (wb-web, ProfilPASS, Alpha-Material, KANSAS-Suche, VHS-Programmarchiv) and the largest specialized library in the field; and convenes the DIALOG-Praxisnetzwerk practice network and the annual DIE-Forum Weiterbildung.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• wb-web Portal Open-access online portal providing practice-oriented, research-based pedagogical knowledge, teaching materials, and professional development resources for teachers in adult and continuing education.
• ProfilPASS Competence assessment instrument with multiple variants for different target groups, used to identify, document, and recognize individual competencies in adult learners.
• Alpha-Material Database Digital resources platform for literacy and basic education offering legally secure and free access to materials for use in adult literacy programs.
• KANSAS-Suche Search engine for language learning texts at all levels of literacy and basic education, supporting adult literacy instruction.
• VHS-Programmarchiv (DiPA+) Digital archive of adult education center (Volkshochschule) programs dating back to the 1950s, providing retrodigitized searchable collections for historical research.
• DIE-Bibliothek Largest scientific specialized library for adult education and lifelong learning in German-speaking countries, providing on-site and remote access (Web-OPAC) to literature and research materials for adult education researchers and practitioners.
• Zeitschrift für Weiterbildungsforschung (ZfW) Peer-reviewed academic journal on continuing education research, published in open access by Springer Nature for researchers and academics in adult education.
• weiter bilden (DIE-Zeitschrift für Erwachsenenbildung) Practitioner-oriented journal on adult education with a redesigned layout and broader audience reach, published in cooperation with wbv Publikation.
• Volkshochschul-Statistik (VHS-Statistik) and Verbundstatistik Longitudinal statistical service providing annual adult education center data and integrated continuing education statistics for researchers, policymakers, and providers.
• DIALOG-Praxisnetzwerk Practice network of 25 adult education providers for direct knowledge transfer and innovation, including VHS Stuttgart, IHK Bonn/Rhein-Sieg, AWO Bielefeld, and other providers representing diverse adult education sectors.
• DIE-Forum Weiterbildung Annual flagship event bringing together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from science and practice in adult and continuing education.
• Preis für Innovation in der Erwachsenenbildung Biennial innovation award recognizing practice-tested innovative projects in adult education, described as the most nationally renowned distinction in adult education (Frankfurter Rundschau).
• GRETA PortfolioPlus Competence assessment tool for educators in adult education, enabling professional recognition and documentation of teaching competencies.
• DIE Survey and Book Series (Theorie und Praxis, Perspektive Praxis, Lehrbücher, Länderporträts) Series of recurring research publications and country portraits on continuing education, providing practice-relevant reports and theoretical contributions for the adult education community.
• alphamonitor Statistical monitoring service for the Alpha (literacy and basic education) initiative, providing data on adult basic education in Germany.

Quantifiable outcome

• Digital portal wb-web selected as exemplary transfer case by Leibniz-Gemeinschaft in 2019
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Leibniz-GemeinschaftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Leibniz-Association, a network of independent research institutions. DIE is jointly funded by federal and state governments based on its nationwide importance. The association includes approximately 97 institutes with around 20,000 employees.
• ESREA (European Society for Research on the Education of Adults)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2019, Bonn is home to ESREA headquarters. The society promotes and disseminates empirical and historical research in adult education. Susanne Lattke (DIE) serves as Managing Director. Founded 1991.
• Universität Duisburg-EssenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation agreement for joint research and academic exchange in adult education.
• Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität BonnmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation through the Center for Teacher Education (Zentrum für Lehrerbildung) with joint activities.
• Philipps-Universität MarburgmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing cooperation agreement with the university.
• Universität zu KölnmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation agreement for joint academic activities.
• FernUniversität in HagenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. Dr. Hannes Schröter holds cooperation professorship for 'Kognition und Lernen Erwachsener'. Prof. Dr. Andreas Martin holds cooperation professorship for educational science.
• Leibniz-Forschungsnetzwerk 'Bildungspotenziale' (LERN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of renowned non-university and university educational research institutes working on how education systems can be designed effectively.
• Leibniz-Forschungsverbund 'Open Science'majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeals with impact of innovative network technologies on science and society; DIE contributes to digital opportunities for adult education.
• Leibniz-WissenschaftsCampus 'Bildung in Informationsumwelten'majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterdisciplinary research on influence of digital media on knowledge and educational processes with Leibniz Institute for Knowledge Media and University of Tübingen.
• EAEA (European Association for the Education of Adults)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean network for adult education in which DIE participates actively.
• European Basic Skills NetworkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean network focused on basic skills in adult education.
• University of British Columbia, KanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational cooperation in educational studies department.
• Linköping University, SchwedenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation with Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning.
• ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) Research Hub for Lifelong LearningmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDIE coordinates the 'Professionalisation' network in this international forum.
• wbv PublikationmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublishing partner for the journal 'weiter bilden' and most books of the institute.
• Springer NaturemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublisher of the peer-reviewed journal 'Zeitschrift für Weiterbildungsforschung' (ZfW) under open access model.
• Bertelsmann StiftungmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development partner for the wb-web portal, which was launched in 2015 and is now operated exclusively by DIE.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA): EAEA is a European NGO representing over 120 organizations active in adult learning. DIE is a participant member; EAEA is comparable to DIE as a network organization in the European adult education ecosystem, though EAEA's primary role is advocacy and network coordination rather than research production.
• wbv Publikation: wbv Publikation is DIE's primary publishing partner for the journal 'weiter bilden' and most of the institute's books. It is comparable as a co-producer of DIE's published scholarly output and a key channel for distributing the institute's content to the German adult education market.

Broad incumbents

• UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL): UIL is a UNESCO Category 1 research and policy institute on lifelong learning based in Hamburg. It is comparable to DIE as a globally recognized authority on lifelong learning research, policy advice, and capacity building, though it operates at a supranational level with a broader (non-German) scope.
• OECD Centre for Skills: The OECD Centre for Skills conducts comparative research on adult skills, education, and lifelong learning across OECD countries. It is comparable to DIE as an authoritative source for cross-national adult education statistics and policy advice, though at a supranational scale.

Direct peers

• DIPF | Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education: DIPF is the closest Leibniz peer to DIE, conducting educational research and providing research-based information services in Germany. Both are Leibniz-Association institutes focused on education research with joint federal-state funding, similar governance models, and overlapping mandates on evidence-based education.
• IQB - Institut zur Qualitätsentwicklung im Bildungswesen (Institute for Educational Quality Improvement): IQB is a German research institute focused on educational quality and assessment, hosted at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. It is comparable to DIE in providing evidence-based research and policy advice on the German education system, with significant overlap in adult education quality research.
• Deutsches Jugendinstitut (DJI) - German Youth Institute: DJI is a Leibniz-Association social science research institute focused on children, youth, and families. It is directly comparable to DIE in institutional structure (Leibniz member, public funding, research-plus-transfer model) and partially overlaps in the lifelong learning and education policy space.
• Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB) - Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training: BIBB is a German federal research and policy advisory institute for vocational education and training, closely related to DIE's adult education research and policy advisory function. Both provide research services, statistics, and policy advice to the German government on education matters.
• Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung (WZB) - Berlin Social Science Center: WZB is a Leibniz-Association social science research institute. It is comparable to DIE as a fellow Leibniz social science research center with public funding, transfer activities, and longitudinal research, though it covers a broader set of topics beyond education.

Regional players

• Learning and Work Institute: Learning and Work Institute is a UK-based research and policy organization focused on lifelong learning, adult education, and skills. It is comparable to DIE in its combination of research, policy advocacy, and practitioner support, though it operates in the UK rather than the German-speaking market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC1MlpqRr-g6wGKOG5d8t8KA
• Facebookfacebook.com/diebonn.de
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deutsches-institut-fuer-erwachsenenbildung

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Deutsches Institut für Erwachsenenbildung – Leibniz-Zentrum für Lebenslanges Lernen e.V.