The Institute of Applied Research (IAF) serves as the central contact point for all research activities of the university.
Our research is based on the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and the HFT Stuttgart's focus areas for the climate-competent design of resilient, networked living spaces. In particular, our research addresses Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4 - Quality Education, 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation, 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy, 9 -Industry, Innovation and Infrastrucutre, and 17 - Partnerships for the Goals.
We want to contribute to the "metropolitan areas of tomorrow" that meet the needs of current and future generations. Our research projects are often characterized by strong interdisciplinary networks and cooperation, which enables us to work on complex topics of the future in a holistic way. An outstanding example of this is the lead project "Intelligent City" (iCity), funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, in which all the university's competence centres are conducting research together with companies from the region.
In 2017, the HFT Stuttgart was awarded the title of "Innovative University" by the excellence initiative of federal and state governments. In addition, we are currently being promoted in the expansion of transfer structures, and we intend to build on the success of the wide variety of research projects in recent years.
Our goal as IAF is to contribute to society with our research. As a driver of innovation, we provide impulses for the further regional development and at the same time are linked to relevant research groups worldwide.
The IAF supports the interdisciplinary communication between the faculties and the competence centres of the research thrusts in order to initiate and shape application-oriented research - often together with corporate partners - and support the transfer of results.
In addition, IAF and its members promote practical relevance in the education of students. By integrating research projects into teaching and combining them with bachelor or master theses, students are given the opportunity to work on research projects. The IAF Research Management informs professors about current research programmes, supports them in processing new applications and advises them in project management.
