DeutschThe DRFZ in the Leibniz Association
Networking and science policy engagement in the Leibniz Association
The Leibniz Association connects 96 independent research institutions that range in focus from natural, engineering and environmental sciences to economics, spatial and social sciences and the humanities.
Leibniz Institutes address issues of social, economic and ecological relevance. They conduct knowledge-driven and applied basic research, maintain scientific infrastructure and provide research-based services.
The Leibniz Association identifies focus areas for knowledge transfer to policy-makers, academia, business and the public. Leibniz institutions collaborate intensively with universities – in the form of “Leibniz ScienceCampi” (thematic partnerships between university and non-university research institutes), for example – as well as with industry and other partners at home and abroad.
They are subject to an independent evaluation procedure that is unparalleled in its transparency. Due to the importance of the institutions for the country as a whole, they are funded jointly by the Federation and the Länder, employing some 21,000 individuals, including 12,000 researchers. The entire budget of all the institutes is approximately 2 billion Euros.
from: www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de
Since 2009, the DRFZ is a member of the Leibniz Association and is active at various levels
Leibniz Research Alliances and Research Networks
The DRFZ is engaged in two Research Alliances and one Research Network. Since 2018, the DRFZ itself coordinates the Leibniz Network on Immune Mediated Diseases. The DRFZ has also been successful in applying for research grants in the Leibniz competition, such as the Junior Research Group headed by Kevin Thurley and two network projects.
Leibniz ScienceCampus Chronic Inflammation
Since 2016, the Leibniz ScienceCampus Chronic Inflammation brings together experts of different disciplines to investigate underlying mechanisms of chronic diseases. As a comprehensive centre, it further strengthens the close collaboration with the Charité.
Leibniz Chairs
… reflect a particularly close connection between an international researcher and a Leibniz institution. In 2018, the Leibniz Executive Board appointed Fritz Melchers (honorary for a lifetime) and in 2020 Koji Tokoyoda (until 2025) to a Leibniz Chair.
Self-Organisation in the Leibniz Association
Andreas Radbruch represents the Leibniz Association in the DEAL Commission of the German Research Alliance, negotiating the “publish and read“ contracts with the major publishers and in the Forum Health Research, initiated by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). In 2018, Fritz Melchers, Senior Group Leader at the DRFZ, received a Leibniz Chair for Lifetime, acknowledging his personality and scientific achievements.
Young Scientists in the Leibniz Association
Postdocs and students of the DRFZ are involved in the respective Leibniz Doctoral Network and Leibniz Postdoc Network.