Since October 01, 2009, Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe has merged with the Universität Karlsruhe into the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).

A cooperation results in a merger, both institutions are now an entity. KIT assumes the tasks, rights, obligations, authorities, and responsibilities of the former Forschungszentrum and the former Universität Karlsruhe. All contractual relations will continue to exist. KIT combines the potentials of a research center and a university in a unique manner.

The formerly Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe (FZK) was a member of the Helmholtz Association. The FZK was one of the biggest science and engineering research institutions in Europe. It was funded jointly by the Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Baden-Württemberg.

Three institutes of the Campus North of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology participate directly in the Karlsruhe School of Optics & Photonics:

The Institute of Nanotechnology (INT) comprises research groups on Photonic Crystals and Metamaterials (headed by M. Wegener) and on Physical Chemistry (headed by M. Kappes). V. Saile has a joint appointment as university professor and director of the Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT). M. Bastmeyer is a member of the Virtual Institute for Bio-Imaging.

The Karlsruhe School of Optics & Photonics takes advantage of the excellent infrastructure and technological possibilities at the KIT institutes on Campus North. The mutual interaction with the world-class research groups and the possibility to carry out experiments provides excellent conditions for Master and especially for Ph.D. students.