The L3S is a research center for basic and applied research in the field of Web Science. The L3S researchers develop new, inn ... ovative methods and technologies that enable intelligent and seamless access to information on the Web, link individuals and communities in all aspects of the knowledge society – including science and education, and connect the Internet to the real world and its institutions. The L3S is a research-driven institution that stands out through its significant innovations, and attracts top-class graduate and PhD students and staff members from around the world because of its cutting-edge research culture. For young scientists the L3S is encouraging, innovative, international, supportive and independent. Questions that deal comprehensively with the challenges of the field of Web Science Research are addressed in a variety of projects. Since its inception in 2001, the L3S has brought together numerous scientists from the areas of information retrieval, databases, semantic web, performance modeling, service computing and mobile networks that challenge and actively pursue interdisciplinary research. The total research budget amounts to more than 6 million Euros annually, with a variety of projects in the areas of * Intelligent Access to Information * Next Generation Internet * E-Science * Web Governance The tasks of the L3S emphasize on research, but are also focused on consulting and technology transfer. This is possible on the one hand because of the complementary background knowledge of the L3S-researchers themselves, and through cooperation and joint projects with scientists from institutions in other disciplines such as library science, linguistics, psychology, law and economics. read more