APPA is an umbrella for several collaborations working on Atomic Physics, Plasma physics and Applied sciences in the bio, medical, and material sciences. Common for all collaborations is that they share installations and experimental techniques, despite quite diverse research fields.

The following research collaborations are organized within APPA:

• BIOMAT - Biology and Material Science 
• FLAIR - Facility for Low-Energy Antiproton and Heavy Ion Research
• HED@FAIR - High Energy Density Science at FAIR
• SPARC - Stored Particles Atomic Research Collaboration

Organized units and programs within APPA are:

• ErUM-FSP APPA BMBF Collaborative Research Center - programme for funding APPA research at German universities
• APPA/MML - GSI research divisions doing APPA research and part of the Helmholtz-programme "From Matter to Materials and Life".