The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) is the central, independent research funding organisation in Germany. It serves all branches of science and the humanities by funding research projects at universities and other research institutions.

The DFG is the self-governing organisation for science and research in Germany. It serves all branches of science and the humanities. In organisational terms, the DFG is an association under private law. Its membership consists of German research universities, non-university research institutions, scientific associations and the Academies of Science and the Humanities.

The DFG receives the large majority of its funds from the federal government and the states, which are represented in all grants committees. At the same time, the voting system and procedural regulations guarantee science-driven decisions.

The main task of the DFG is to select the best projects by researchers at universities and research institutions on a competitive basis and to finance these projects. Individuals or higher education institutions submit proposals in a particular field of curiosity-driven basic research that they themselves select. Interdisciplinary proposals are also considered.

In a multi-layered decision-making process, the proposal is evaluated by voluntary reviewers exclusively according to scientific criteria; on the basis of this expert review, it is assessed by elected members of a review board, and the final decision is made by a grants committee. In this way, DFG funding guarantees quality-based differentiation in the German research system. The DFG is thus a cornerstone of Germany's strength as a research location and also helps to shape the European Research Area.

For more information please visite website DFG