Funding Guidelines

The funding guidelines are substantively based on Paragraph 2 (1) of the Foundation Charter, which states:

§ 2 Purpose

1 The purpose of the foundation is to promote and foster scientific research in the fields of producing, storing, transfer and intelligent network planning of alternative, sustainable and ecologically compatible energy as well as the reduction of energy consumption in regard to the overall environmental situation.

Based on the above, the following guidelines are in effect:

The focus is mainly on project-related funding predominantly in the form of grants/scholarships to doctoral candidates – amounts range from €1,000 to €2,500 monthly
The projects should have clearly defined goals. Success will be monitored
Cooperative projects (domestic/international) are welcome
Funding is mainly concentrated on German research institutes
The advancement of knowledge is the primary goal of all funding
Women and men should be supported equally as far as possible
Studies can receive funding – they should not take longer than 6 months to complete
Projects that are exclusively publicity-related may be funded on a small scale
Funding timelines should not exceed three years
Endowed professorships are entitled to receive funding
Funding is granted subject to the condition that the project will not be denied public or other funding or cause public or other funding to be revoked
The projects should be of broad public interest and generate effective publicity
Foreign development aid projects are not funded
Prizes in line with the foundation’s purpose may be awarded
Maximum funding per project is not to exceed €150,000
The allocation of funds is decided upon by the members of the board of the foundation
Opinions by experts may be obtained to evaluate applications for funding