Our funding goals
We provide funding for research and teaching in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. As one of the major foundations in Germany, we continue our founder’s mission in a contemporary form. We provide funding via tenders, programmes and projects. In doing so, we follow four guiding principles:
We facilitate scientific breakthroughs
... in basic research and applied research.
We strive to achieve scientific breakthroughs with added value for science, the economy and society. Our funding ranges from basic research to specific applications.
We offer freedom
... for people and institutions.
We place our trust in the creativity of individuals and the power of innovation of the organisations for which we provide funding. We encourage bravery and the willingness to try out new things by also sharing risks. In this regard, we act quickly and flexibly.
We build upon our reputation
... by focusing on key topic areas.
Scientific findings advance society and the economy. In order to do this, we concentrate our funding on focus topics which address current scientific challenges and are of economic or social relevance.
We create added value
... by supporting partnerships.
We work at interfaces: between academic disciplines, scientific institutions, social sectors and countries. In this regard, we bring people together and provide funding for multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research approaches.
