The Abbe Center of Photonics (ACP) forms the academic centre of the scientific activities in the field of optics and photonics at Friedrich Schiller University. ACP promotes interdisciplinary strategic research collaborations and the exchange of scientific ideas focusing on its three key research areas Ultra Optics, Strong Field Physics and Biophotonics. These main research thrusts are interconnected by an interdisciplinary and internationalized education program coordinated by ACP’s integrated Abbe School of Photonics. ACP follows the vision to sustain its position as one of the leading European centres for research and education in optics and photonics as well as in the development and transfer of optical technologies beyond 2020. To this end, the ACP fosters and sustains strong links with local industry partners as well as with the international scientific community. Major research efforts are conducted in very close cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute of Applied Optics and Precision Engineering Jena, the Helmholtz Institute Jena and the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology Jena.