Recognising the key role that Living Labs play in mission-driven and impact-focused research, the Living Labs Incubator (LLI) studies and supports Living Labs connected with RWTH Aachen University, the largest technical university in Germany. The main goals of the LLI are: i) to form a network of existing and emerging Living Labs; ii) to develop adequate Living Lab research and evaluation methods; and iii) to establish a Living Lab Training Center supporting transdisciplinary research in and through Living Labs.

Facing up to global sustainability challenges in a region undergoing deep structural changes, the LLI seeks to effectively strengthen the local, regional and national innovation ecosystem that RWTH Aachen University forms an integral part of. By facilitating peer-learning, offering conceptual tools and methodological support and reflecting on political and epistemic dimensions, the LLI provides a unique knowledge platform dedicated to Living Lab research based at a technical university. The LLI is funded within the Excellence Strategy by the German state and federal government, which aims to promote cutting-edge inter- and transdisciplinary research.