Funding discoveries what does that really mean? Here at the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG in Bonn, we’re about to uncover the story of an organization dedicated to the advancement of science and research in Germany.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft is the German Research Foundation. It is the central self-governing research funding organization in Germany. Since 1951, the DFG has been promoting research of the highest quality in all its forms and disciplines. This includes universities and non-university research institutions.
The DFG’s focus is on funding projects developed by the academic community. It emphasizes knowledge-driven research. The DFG funds research projects. It creates competitive opportunities. The DFG conducts procedures for the review, evaluation, selection, and decision of research proposals. It helps shape the overall conditions and standards of academic research.
The DFG maintains a dialogue with society, politics, and business. It supports the transfer of knowledge. It advises state institutions and institutions working in the public interest. This is all done on issues relating to academic research and research policy.
The DFG takes particular care to promote international cooperation. It supports early career researchers, gender equality, and diversity in science and the humanities.
The DFG has a current annual budget of over €3.9 billion. The German federal government provides most of the funding. The states contribute the remaining amount.
The DFG is an association under private law. Its member organizations include universities. Non-university research institutions are members too. These include the Max Planck Society, Fraunhofer, the Helmholtz Association, and the Leibniz Association. Academies of sciences and humanities and scientific associations are also members. The Head Office supports the work of the statutory and additional bodies.
The DFG’s primary task is to promote excellent knowledge-driven research. Funding science across the entire spectrum of academic disciplines is vital. The DFG has a special responsibility. It must shape the development of the German science system.
Researchers make funding decisions within the DFG. They decide on a self-organized basis. These members are elected by the academic community. They serve on the DFG’s statutory bodies.
Individuals, groups, or institutions can submit funding proposals to the DFG. This can be done at any time and on any topic. The DFG’s funding portfolio includes a broad range of different funding instruments. These cover all academic disciplines and all phases of the research process. There are a wide variety of project formats and forms of collaboration. All career stages are covered.
The DFG develops processes for peer review. It also has comparative assessment and decision-making processes. These specify proposal requirements, process sequences, and supervision of review bodies. The DFG maintains a large international network in all academic disciplines. This ensures project-specific review of every conceivable research topic.
The DFG promotes early career researchers. It offers programs that provide support at every phase of their qualification. The DFG identifies current needs in specific research fields. It offers strategic funding initiatives. Strategic funding includes targeted support for international collaboration.
Many DFG-funded projects are not geared to application. The DFG specifically promotes the transfer of knowledge from the research it funds. This includes funding for science communication and citizen science in DFG-funded projects.
Researchers must access suitable research infrastructures. The DFG also funds research infrastructures, scientific instrumentation, and information technologies. It also supports scientific library services and information systems.
The DFG promotes independent research. It advocates for rigorous scientific, ethical, and legal standards. Equality, diversity, and equal opportunities are also vital. It harnesses the opportunities of the digital turn. The DFG shapes legal frameworks that promote science. It fosters sustainability. As the voice of science, it counsels and participates in political decision-making.
The DFG also endows various research prizes. A notable example is the Leibniz Prize. The Polish-German science award Copernicus is offered jointly with the Foundation for Polish Science. The Heisenberg Programme supports young outstanding scientists. This program enables scientists to prepare for leadership positions.
So, as you stand before the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, remember that you’re looking at an organization that has helped shape the landscape of German science. It continues to drive innovation and discovery.