The Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden – in short IFW Dresden – is a non-university research institute and a member of the Leibniz Association. It is concerned with modern materials science and combines explorative research in physics, chemistry and materials science with technological development of new materials and products.

The research program is focussed on functional materials which hold a key position in many fields of application: superconducting and magnetic materials, thin film systems and nanostructures as well as crystalline and amorphous materials. Further missions of the Institute are the promotion of young scientists and the training of technical staff as well as supplying industrial companies with the Institute's R&D know-how and experience.