Impact of leading plant research centers of excellence on the scientific and socio-economic development in Europe

Background: Centers of Excellence (CoEs) are key instruments for advancing scientific excellence, innovation, and socio-economic development in Europe. Methods: The paper compares three leading European Centers of Excellence in plant science: the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology (Potsdam-Golm, Germany), the Center for Plant Systems Biology at the Flanders Institute of Biotechnology (Gent, Belgium), and the Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology (Plovdiv, Bulgaria). The survey explores their organizational structures, funding sources, scientific focus and impact on the regional socio-economic environment. Results: All centers impose substantial influence on the scientific advancement of their countries. The study indicates that the contributions of these institutions extend beyond national borders, supporting scientific progress at the European and global level. Conclusion: In addition to research impact and innovation potential, these institutions enable socio-economic development of their regions by improving local infrastructure, creating jobs, promoting a favorable business environment, and facilitating stronger linkages between academia and industry.