Risk

What do we mean by ‘Risk’?

Risk is particularly present when the likelihood of failure exceeds the chance of success. Bold research ideas at a very early stage carry a particularly high risk of "failure". Consequently, they are often not considered in many funding programmes. In contrast, we aim to create an open environment specifically for these research ideas. At the core, we focus on research ideas that are in a very early stage, are radically new or unconventional, challenge traditional concepts, and, if successful, possess high innovation potential.

What do we aim to achieve?

In the "Risk" funding area, we pursue the following objectives:

• Provide space for bold ideas with significant innovation potential
• Encourage unconventional (out-of-the-box) thinking beyond individual projects
• Pave the way into new, uncertain research fields
   

Why do we see ‘Risk’ as an area of potential?

Our founding figures – Carl Zeiss, Ernst Abbe, and Otto Schott – acted at crucial points in their professional lives according to the principle of “high risk, high gain.” Their developments were not always straightforward but were shaped by trial and error. As a young man, Carl Zeiss set up a workshop for optical instruments in Jena – a city unfamiliar to him – despite existing competition. Later, he supported the fundamental optical research of the scientist Ernst Abbe over many years, providing trust, freedom, and resources. The results of this collaboration led to groundbreaking discoveries in optics. Together with Otto Schott, they subsequently embarked on a “joint venture” involving an innovative method of glass production, assuming considerable financial risk. This cooperation laid the foundation for the long-term success of our foundation’s enterprises.

We aim to reflect this “courage to take risks” in our funding activities. Too often, innovative research ideas fail due to rigid formal requirements or the demand for preliminary results that are not yet available at the early stages of new research. Projects that pursue an interdisciplinary approach, challenge established knowledge, or explore entirely new research fields also often struggle within conventional funding mechanisms. As an independent foundation, we offer tailored funding formats in which we consciously accept a high risk of failure.