Statutes and Governance

How is the Helmholtz Association organised? What are its central responsibilities? What decision-making bodies does it have and what rights and duties do the various bodies have?

Statutes

The Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft is a registered association. Its members are 18 Research Centres, which are legally independent bodies. The activities of the Helmholtz Association are governed by its statutes.

Structure and Governance

The Senate which is made up of external members performs the important role within the Helmholtz Association of making recommendations to the financial sponsors on thematic priorities and funding for research programmes.

Senate

18 Research Centres are members of the Helmholtz Association. The scientific-technical and commercial directors of these centres meet at least once a year for an Assembly of Members.

Assembly of Members

The executive committee of the Helmholtz Association includes eight vice-presidents in addition to the President and the Managing Director.

Executive Committee

Various Helmholtz Centres compete for funding by setting out their proposed objectives within their particular research area in the form of strategic programmes.

Programme Oriented Funding

The Initiative and Networking Fund is one of the Helmholtz Association's key instruments in achieving its strategic goals and implementing the principles to which the association has committed itself under the Pact for Research and Innovation.

Initiative and Networking Fund