The Leibniz Institute for Applied Geosciences was established as an independent research institute in January 2000. It succeeds the "Geowissenschaftliche Gemeinschaftsaufgaben" (joint geoscientific projects) division of the Geological Survey of Lower Saxony. The abbreviation of its predecessor (GGA) is incorporated in its German name, "GGA-Institut". The GGA was set up in 1948 by the "Höchst" Agreement worked out by representatives of German state governments to carry out geoscientific research for the state Geological Surveys.

Today, the Leibniz Institute for Applied Geosciences, together with the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) and the Geological Survey of Lower Saxony (NLfB), is part of the Hannover GEOZENTRUM. The three institutes share infrastructure and administration.

www.geozentrum-hannover.de

The institute is a member of the Gottfried-Wilhelm-Leibniz Science Association (WGL), commonly known as the Leibniz Association.

www.wgl.de

The Leibniz Association promotes the common interests of its members. It strengthens co-operation in science and research and promotes the involvement of young scientists in research. The performance of the members of the Leibniz Association is regularly evaluated.