Stiftungsratsvorsitzende Dr. Silke Launert | ©Bundesregierung | Sandra Steins
DSF turns 25!
For 25 years, the German Foundation for Peace Research (DSF) has been supporting projects in the field of peace and conflict research—as an independent, non-profit organization based in the “City of Peace,” Osnabrück.
In Berlin, the DSF celebrated its major anniversary on May 5, 2026. Together with long-time supporters, project recipients, and partners, we looked back on milestones and discussed Europe’s options for action in an increasingly polarized world.
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Major personnel changes
Malte Göttsche is elected as the new chair of the Executive Board. He succeeds Ulrich Schneckener, who leaves the Executive Board after ten years in accordance with the bylaws. Malte Göttsche is the first scientist to head the Executive Board. Tobias Pietz was appointed vice chair. In addition, Sandra Destradi, Jana Hönke, and Paulina Starski were newly appointed to the Executive Board.
There were also changes on the board of trustees: Following the appointment of members from the Federal Government and the German Bundestag, Silke Launert is elected as the new chair. The Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR) will assume strategic and financial oversight of the foundation’s work together with the newly appointed members and the scientific members.
Effective immediately, applications must be submitted via the DSF’s new funding portal. The portal allows you, as an applicant, to manage your research project entirely online—from the initial application and funding requests to the submission of a statement of funds used following a positive funding decision. Once your institution has been registered and you have created your personal account, you can begin the application process right away.
Here’s what’s new for you:
- Direct entry into the system instead of PDF uploads
- Citation style: Switch to the Harvard system
Applications for Funding Area 2 cannot currently be submitted via the funding portal. Please send these to us by email at: info@bundestiftung-friedensforschung.de.
Application deadlines for project funding:
Funding Area 1: November 1, 2026
Funding Area 2: ongoing
Funding Area 3: to be announced
The format of the strategy conference will continue
The DSF will continue to offer the strategy conference format in the future. The Board of Trustees agreed to continue the strategy conferences based on the positive experiences of recent years. The aim of the format is to provide new impetus for peace and conflict research, strengthen academic networks, and initiate collaborations with related disciplines and research fields. Funding of up to 25,000 euros can be provided for the organization of a strategy conference.