About us

GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is one of the world's leading institutions in marine research. GEOMAR investigates the global ocean from the seafloor to the atmosphere, covering a unique spectrum of physical, chemical, biological and geological processes in the ocean.

Our World is the Ocean: the GEOMAR vision, mission and profile

Research divisions of GEOMAR

• Ocean Circulation and Climate Dynamics
• Marine Biogeochemistry
• Marine Ecology
• Dynamics of the Ocean Floor

Research core themes of GEOMAR

• Ocean and Climate
• Marine Ecosystems and Biogeochemical Cycles
• Ocean Threats and Benefits

GEOMAR is a foundation under public law and a member of the Helmholtz Association. It is jointly funded by the Federal Republic of Germany (90%) and the State of Schleswig-Holstein (10%). Currently, GEOMAR has an annual budget of about 89 million euros and 1000 employees (as of 2024).

GEOMAR makes important contributions to some of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and to the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Within the program-oriented funding of the Helmholtz Association, GEOMAR is involved in the program "Changing Earth - Sustaining our Future" of the Research Field Earth and Environment.