The German Foundation for Peace Research (DSF) was established in October 2000 by the Federal Republic of Germany, represented by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (now BMFTR)..
The objectives of the foundation’s establishment arise from the foundation’s deeds:
“The DSF is intended to promote peaceful coexistence among people and nations. It is intended to help create the conditions and prerequisites for preventing war, poverty, hunger, and oppression, upholding human rights, and establishing international relations on the basis of law. Furthermore, it is intended to help ensure that the natural resources and their development potential are both utilized and preserved for future generations.”
Legal status and purpose of the foundation
The DSF is a funded foundation under civil law, recognized as a non-profit organization. It was founded with the purpose of
“to permanently strengthen peace research in accordance with its foreign and security policy significance, particularly in Germany, and to contribute to its political and financial independence.” (§2 of the statutes)
The DSF is an institution that promotes research in the field of peace and conflict studies. According to its statutes, the foundation’s purpose is fulfilled through the following tasks:
- Promoting and initiating scientific projects
- Holding national and international scientific conferences
- Promoting young scientists
- Promoting scientific networking and the dissemination of research results to practitioners and the public
The foundation does not conduct its own scientific research.
Foundation bodies
The organs of the German Foundation for Peace Research are the Executive Board and the Foundation Council.
The board
The Executive Board consists of five members appointed by the Board of Trustees for a term of three years. It manages the Foundation’s business in accordance with the Board’s resolutions and, in particular, decides on the use of the Foundation’s funds.
The members of the Executive Board elect a Chair and a Deputy Chair from among their number. The Chair of the Executive Board is Professor Dr. Ulrich Schneckener, Center for Democracy and Peace Research (ZeDF) at the University of Osnabrück..
The Foundation Board consists of twelve members appointed by the founder – represented by the Federal Minister of Education and Research – for a term of four years. According to the statutes, it includes five academics, four representatives of the Federal Government, and three members of the German Bundestag. The Chairman of the Foundation Board is Stefan Müller, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Education and Research.
The Board of Trustees is responsible for determining the foundation’s fundamental direction and the framework for measures to fulfill its purpose. It also oversees the activities of the Executive Board.
The Scientific Advisory Board advises the foundation’s governing bodies on the design of funding programs and its own scientific events in the areas of research and outreach. It also supports the work of the DSF with expert opinions and evaluations. It has up to 15 members.
The chair of the Scientific Advisory Board is Prof. Dr. Heike Krieger.
Headquarters of the foundation
The DSF is headquartered in Osnabrück, the city of peace. The DSF’s office is located in the historic Ledenhof stoneworks.