The Managing Director

The Managing Director’s responsibilities

The Managing Director is primarily responsible for the procedures regarding the allocation of funds under the Association’s program-oriented funding and investments in further expansion. He ensures that the resources are allocated transparently and is responsible for key output figures in terms of overall coordination of the Helmholtz Centers. The Managing Director also provides support on the establishment of long-term partnerships between research and business via technology transfer instruments (spin-off support and the Validation Fund).

The Managing Director is nominated by the President and elected for a term of five years by the general assembly. The Managing Director may be re-elected.

Managing Director: Sabine Helling-Moegen

Since November 2025 Sabine Helling-Moegen is the Managing Director of the Helmholtz Association. An experienced science manager, she knows Helmholtz from many perspectives: she began her career at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), worked in the Helmholtz Association’s head office, and served as Administrative Director of the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) for over a decade. From 2021 to 2024, she also served on the Helmholtz Executive Committee as an Administrative Vice President and spokeswoman for the Administrative Directors of the Helmholtz Association.