Overview
The Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW) is a non-university institute that covers all core disciplines of marine research. Its research programme is directed towards coastal and marginal seas with a special focus on the Baltic Sea ecosystem. The IOW is divided into five departments: Physical Oceanography, Marine Chemistry, Marine Biology, Marine Geosciences and Marine Observation. The research is based on the ten-year research programme “Perspectives of Coastal Seas”, which comprises three interdisciplinary research areas.
In addition to its research activities, the IOW pursues a transfer concept and operates research infrastructures for the scientific community. The IOW is a member of the Leibniz Association. Its institutional budget is jointly funded by the Federal Government and the Länder. The IOW is a foundation under public law.
Director of the institute is Prof. Dr. Heide Schulz-Vogt.
IOW by the numbers
The IOW in numbers (as at 31.12.2025): 262 persons (incl. student assistants), thereof 148 researchers.
Total budget in 2025: 28,4 Mio. EUR of which 18,7 Mio. EUR in institutional funding from the federal and state governments and 9,7 Mio. EUR in third party funding or other income.
Structure and governance, supervisory and advisory boards
