Research and development at DWD is structured around 3 interconnected pillars: basic research, transitional research and applied research and development. Knowledge and understanding gained through basic research is translated into applications through transitional research. Applied research and development allows appropriate applications to be further developed, tested, and implemented operationally.
DWD conducts dedicated research programmes in support of research and development in the three pillars. Currently, applied R&D is supported by the in-house programme IAFE (Innovation in applied R&D). Research grants are awarded to external institutions to support transitional research through the extramural research programme. The development of the Hans Ertel Centre for Weather Research and Climate Monitoring will strengthen basic research in meteorology substantially.