The German Research Foundation (DFG) developed from the fusion of the Emergency Association of German Science (Notgemeinschaft der Deutschen Wissenschaft) and the German Science Council (Deutscher Forschungsrat) in 1951. The Emergency Association had already been founded in 1920 by a coalition of academies, universities and science associations to "avert the danger of a complete collapse of the German scientific research". This was a risk after the first world war because the research facilities lacked funding and personnel. In 1990 the DFG extended its funding to the entire territory of the reunified Germany.

The DFG funds projects at universities and other research facilities. It sets impulses for international cooperations and supports the younger generation of scientists and equality. Additionally, it advises parliament and authorities on scientific questions.


The DFG is a private association whose members are German universities, non-university research facilities, science associations and the Academy of Science. It is mainly financed by the German state and the Länder but also receives EU-subsidies and private support.