Joint press release from the founding members

How can real-world laboratory research be structured in such a way that it can contribute effectively to the transformation of agricultural and food systems in the long term? In order to pool experience and expertise more effectively in this dynamically growing field of research, nine research institutions are currently preparing, on the basis of a joint memorandum of understanding, to establish a Germany-wide network for real-world laboratory research in agricultural and food systems. The participating institutions presented the joint initiative on 24 September at an event organised by the Innovation Centre for Agricultural System Transformations (IAT) in Gießen. The network is due to be formally established before the end of the year.

This strategic alliance aims to invest in the development of real-world laboratories as innovative research infrastructures, to consolidate findings on research in and about real-world laboratories, to jointly advance research, and to strengthen the appropriate structural framework conditions for real-world laboratories as research infrastructures. The network is being established on the initiative of the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) in collaboration with the IAT, together with eight other partner institutions as founding members. 

What are real-world laboratories and why are they important?

In agricultural research, real-world laboratories are environments in which researchers work together with farmers, consumers and other stakeholders from the field and the world of politics to identify, develop and test new solutions to real-world problems. Joint experimentation often takes place directly in the field, on farms or in regions. At the same time, real-world laboratories bring together different scientific disciplines and make it possible to combine their knowledge and methods. The aim is to make a significant contribution to sustainable change in practice through this close collaboration. 

This approach is becoming increasingly important in research into agricultural and food systems and is currently developing at a rapid pace. Numerous institutions are working on comparable methodological, structural and strategic issues. The agricultural and food sector, in particular, faces different challenges to those encountered in real-world laboratory research in, for example, urban areas.

Stronger together: the consortium’s objectives and activities

The planned consortium sees itself as a strategic alliance of universities and research institutions at national level. The focus is not on individual real-world laboratories, but on research into and about real-world laboratories and their development as infrastructures. The members aim to share and apply insights into the successful design of real-world laboratory research, to highlight common research questions and the conditions for success in terms of impact, and to coordinate strategies for the long-term establishment of real-world laboratory research. At the same time, the consortium aims to contribute to the further development of suitable institutional, political and funding-related frameworks. In doing so, the consortium complements existing networks and initiatives.

“With the planned network, we want to help researchers learn from one another and develop joint research concepts that can be translated into suitable research infrastructures. At the same time, we aim to visibly expand the expertise required for this type of research,” explains Prof. Bettina Matzdorf, co-director of the IAT at ZALF. “In doing so, we aim to live up to our aspiration that this research will make a significant contribution across Germany to the development of sustainable and resilient agricultural and food systems.”

What does this mean for the future?

According to the memorandum of understanding signed by the partner institutions, the consortium is to be formally established before the end of 2026. In the coming months, the first concrete joint activities will be developed and implemented so that, based on the shared objectives, concrete action can follow as quickly as possible. Optional sentences: The new alliance is intended, on the one hand, to better consolidate findings on issues relating to agricultural practice, value creation and the shaping of framework conditions from various real-world laboratories and regions – and, on the other hand, to gather insights into the design of joint research. This will make it possible, at both levels, to identify successful approaches more quickly and transfer them to other regions.  

In addition, networking with European and international initiatives is to be expanded, for example to strengthen the International Forum of Agricultural Living Labs and to learn from experiences in other countries. In this way, Germany is positioning itself as a strong partner for real-world laboratory research in the agri-food system sector. 

Nine partner institutions from various federal states are involved in setting up the consortium. As future founding members, they regard real-world laboratory research in the field of agri-food systems as a central part of their strategic focus. Following the establishment phase, the consortium is also intended to be open to other institutions with a similar strategic commitment.

Consortium partners (founding members):

• Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) – Initiator
• Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Engineering Sciences, University of Bonn
• Bavarian State Institute for Agriculture (LfL)
• Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE)
• Geisenheim University
• Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute (Thünen Institute)
• Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU)
• Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Potsdam
• University of Kassel

Contact person:

Hendrik Schneider
Head of Press and Public Relations
Telephone: +49 (0) 33432 82-242
Mobile: +49 (0) 151 405 455 00
Email: public.relations(at)zalf.de

Subject matter expert

Bettina Matzdorf

Co-Director of the Innovation Centre for Agricultural System Transformation (IAT)
Telephone: + 49 (0) 33432 82-150
Email: bettina.matzdorf(at)zalf.de