How users see the German Research Funding Atlas

Opinions and congratulations – selected testimonials for the anniversary edition

Whether at universities, research institutes and organisations, in federal and state ministries, or in the field of higher education and science research – the German research Funding Atlas attracts interest in highly diverse areas of the German research landscape. Offering their congratulations on the anniversary of the German Research Funding Atlas, representatives of the various target groups report on how they use it and how important it is to their work.

“Strategy starts with data. This is where the DFG Funding Atlas helps me in developing our research hub. Who’s collaborating with whom? Where are there robust networks and in which disciplines? How do the federal states compare? What is the role of EU funds? Where do we stand internationally? Its effective combination of data and innovative graphics makes the Funding Atlas both an analytical tool and a source of ideas for us. If the Funding Atlas didn’t already exist, it would have to be invented.”

Dr. Rolf Greve, Head of the Science and Research Authority at the Ministry for Science, Research, Equality and Districts of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg

“For me, the Funding Atlas is a vital tool when it comes to evidence-based consultation and the formulation of research policy. The federal government has to keep an eye on the research system as a whole, and a lot of topical issues require a good data basis: Is competition in research funding really excessively intense? Is the ratio of third-party funding to basic funding appropriate? How can universities and research institutions retain a leading competitive status internationally? When it comes to answering questions like these, we at the BMBF will also refer closely to the new Funding Atlas 2024.”

Ministerialrat (Ministerial Counsellor) Ralf Maier, Head of the Division “Higher Education Law, Excellence Strategy, DFG” at the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR)

“The Funding Atlas has become a standard work for key statistics on publicly funded research in Germany – a rich and quality-assured pool of data that now also enables long-term analyses and since 2021 has also included universities of applied sciences in DFG funding. It documents the structure-building role of the DFG and its funding programmes on a national and European scale. Last but not least, the Funding Atlas sets standards in the visualisation of complex and interlinked data.”

Ministerialdirigent (Ministerial Director) Dr. Johannes Eberle, Head of the Department “Research, Science System” at the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts

“As a service that is highly valued by the research community, the Funding Atlas contributes to the sustainable support of research institutions. At the same time, the DFG demonstrates the potential offered by a regularly published analysis of funding and research data. The analysis of the institutions’ European performance is particularly interesting and indeed exemplary in terms of its methodology. The Funding Atlas has also repeatedly broken new ground in its methods of data analysis. For those interested in historical developments, the special sections offer surprising analyses that indicate the persistence of structural features over time while also revealing ruptures and transformations.”

Mag. Wolfgang Neurath, Head of the Research Funding Affairs department at the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF)

At the core of the German Research Funding Atlas are key figures on the acquisition of third-party funding by individual universities or research institutions, so it has developed into a vital planning tool – especially for the member organisations of the DFG and the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK). University leaders share their perspectives on what it means for their institutions.

“The Funding Atlas is much more than an inexhaustible set of figures. It ensures transparency with regard to the DFG’s funding activities. At the same time, the breadth of its analyses and summaries reflects a whole range of the fundamental principles that underpin our research system – such as the clear commitment to knowledge-driven, open-topic basic research, funding decisions made by the research community itself and guided purely by science, and the focus on excellence as a criterion for research funding decisions.”

Professor Dr. Georg Krausch, President of the University of Mainz and Vice-President of the German Rectors’ Conference for Research and Academic Career Paths

“With its key indicators and analyses, the Funding Atlas is an essential tool for Heidelberg University when it comes to positioning itself in the research landscape in Germany. The high level of data and methodological transparency in particular, along with the inclusion of personnel-related funding analyses, enables reliable benchmarking. If we could make one request, it would be for an even more detailed breakdown of disciplines within the humanities and social sciences – this would allow us to provide more targeted support.”

Professor Dr. Frauke Melchior, Rector of Heidelberg University

“For us at RWTH, the Funding Atlas is a valuable indicator of our performance on a national scale. The results show how our profile translates into key figures, helping us assess whether our strategic direction is successful or where we need to intensify our efforts in specific research fields to meet our own expectations.”

Professor Dr. Ulrich Rüdiger, Rector of RWTH Aachen

“Serving as both a precise compass and a comprehensive reference, the Funding Atlas helps identify institutional strengths and drive forward the distinct research profiles of individual universities. One particularly important point is that the data sources and methodology are transparent – the Funding Atlas even provides information on other funding providers. The analyses are differentiated and often available down to subject level – all data is fully available to the universities for further digital processing, too.”

Professor Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein, Rector of the University of Freiburg

Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Dr. h.c. Bernd Huber

“With its broad and high-quality data basis, the Funding Atlas provides a unique overview of the German research landscape. It is a very helpful tool for shedding light on the diverse research activities that go on at universities and non-university research institutions in Germany, as well as providing valuable insights into the distribution of funding.”

Professor Dr. Bernd Huber, President of LMU Munich

“The Funding Atlas is an extremely useful tool for us, especially when it comes to strategically planning and analysing our research activities. We use it specifically to assess the competitiveness of our university in various research areas and also to make strategic decisions based on sound data. Of particular interest to us are the statements on research funding and the comparability of our standing in the national context.”

Professor Dr. Thomas F. Hofmann, President TU Munich

“The Funding Atlas is extremely helpful in visualising the diverse and dynamic research landscape in Germany from the perspective of public third-party funding. In the review process for the Excellence Strategy, for example, we used graphics from the 2018 Funding Atlas – fresh off the press at the time – to demonstrate the interconnectedness of the four players in the Berlin University Alliance, i.e. FU, HU, TU and Charité. In this sense, the Funding Atlas not only highlights achievements, it also reveals future potential.”

Professor Günter M. Ziegler, President of FU Berlin

Whether advising researchers or shaping career development strategies, many university research officers rely on the German ResearchFunding Atlas as a key resource in their day-to-day work. They share their experience with us.

“At TU Dresden we eagerly await the new Funding Atlas every three years. We’re interested naturally in our own current ‘placement’ in a nationwide comparison, because third-party funding strength remains one of the key indicators of academic performance and shows whether the university’s research profile is up to date. In addition, the analyses provided by the DFG help us in our own strategic considerations by providing an outside perspective.”

Dr. Katrin Jordan, Head of the Research Division at TU Dresden

“For me, it is always very exciting to read the latest issue of the Funding Atlas and get our university’s self-assessment of its overall performance: Which research fields are particularly prominent? Where might there be untapped potential for connecting researchers who could collaborate on new projects or new funding programmes? It is gratifying to see in the Funding Atlas that our university’s strategies are working – such as the support we offer to researchers preparing funding proposals in early career phases.”

Dr. Anja Eisenbeiß, Head of Research Support at the University of Konstanz

“My colleagues and I are regularly asked where HU Berlin stands in terms of its research activities compared to other universities in Germany. This is where the Funding Atlas helps us immensely: the charts allow us to quickly see HU’s third-party funding strength in general but also in relation to individual scientific disciplines and the DFG’s funding programmes. This gives us a clear picture of where we are successful and where we can do even better.”

Kerstin Klug, Research Advisor at the Research Service Centre (SZF), HU Berlin

“For our research funding team at the University of Tübingen, the Funding Atlas is a valuable and practical tool. Its well-structured data provides a clear overview of our university’s external funding breakdown as compared to other institutions across Germany. What’s especially interesting for us is tracking how this evolves over time. These insights help us develop new strategies to support research more effectively.”

The Department II 2 Research Funding team at the University of Tübingen

“The Funding Atlas is a key tool and an essential part of our external funding monitoring. In our work, it’s crucial to systematically track key indicators for individual DFG programmes and other funding sources. At the same time, comparing the external funding strength of other universities plays an important role in our self-assessment and positioning. When mapping regional funding data, we would love to see the Rhineland represented as a cohesive scientific region, encompassing the key hubs of Cologne, Bonn, Düsseldorf, and Aachen.”

Dr. Dominik Büschken, Research Officer at the University of Bonn

The published data is of interest not only to the universities but also to the German research organisations – and in very different ways. Representatives of the organisations present their own personal perspectives.

“The Funding Atlas is an indispensable tool for anyone in Germany who is interested in how research is funded with public money. We use it at our office to compare figures and identify trends, for example. Longer time series would sometimes be helpful here. It is the sound combination of overall patterns and focus on detail that makes the Funding Atlas so invaluable.” I want to thank the team behind this project for their outstanding service to the research community. I’m confident that the Atlas will continue to evolve with the same care and creativity in the future. All the very best for the anniversary!”

Dr. Rainer Lange, Head Office of the German Science and Humanities Council (Wissenschaftsrat, WR), Head of the Research Policy Department

“The Funding Atlas is the central point of reference when it comes to key indicators relating to the German research system. It is indispensable for the assessment of universities because – unlike in international rankings – the information is presented in a non-judgmental and methodologically effective way. Thanks to its diversity and depth of detail, a clear picture emerges of various universities and their research strengths. In this way, the Funding Atlas provides clarity in a diverse and complex university landscape.”

Dr. Inka Spang-Grau, Head Office of the WR, Head of the Excellence Strategy Department

“As Germany’s National Academy of Sciences, the Leopoldina brings together leading researchers, many of whom were awarded the highest national and international scientific awards, including the Leibniz Prize and the Nobel Prize. For the tenth time, the Funding Atlas provides a precise record of a fundamental pillar of excellent research: long-term, competitive funding that is guided by scientific quality.”

Professor Dr. Gerald Haug, President of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina

“I am delighted to see the publication of this anniversary edition of the Funding Atlas. For many years, it has provided transparency on the development of core research areas and scientific collaborations, offering valuable insights into the strategic direction of research funding in Germany.”

Franziska Hornig, Secretary General of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina

“The Funding Atlas is an indispensable tool for understanding the diverse German research landscape. The detailed data on funding activities and the regional and thematic analyses provide us with valuable insights that we draw on for the purpose of internationalising German universities and marketing Germany as a centre for higher education and research worldwide. The English version of the Funding Atlas is also a very welcome addition.”

Dr. Kai Sicks, Secretary General of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

“We regularly use the Funding Atlas in our strategic work at the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. The research profiles of German universities and their level of internationalisation are of particular interest to us of course. We very much welcome the ongoing data-driven expansion of these areas. The introduction of interactive maps in recent years has been a great success. From our perspective, it would be especially intriguing to see the correlation of national and international data – from the OECD and UNESCO, for instance. We’d love to see more of this!”

Dr. Judith Wellen, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Head of Strategy and External Relations Department

“The Funding Atlas impressively demonstrates the numerous successful collaborations between universities and non-university research institutions – whether at the level of joint projects or in the support of outstanding minds. Interdisciplinary partnerships of this nature that bring together different institutions and complementary expertise are essential to ensure that Germany remains internationally visible and competitive.”

Professor Dr. Otmar D. Wiestler, President of the Helmholtz Association

Last but not least, the German Research Funding Atlas also provides important information for university and science research.

“The Funding Atlas provides us with valuable data on research funding in Germany – not least because we find reflected in it our idea of a multidimensional view of research performance – for example from a regional and international perspective. We regularly use it to validate our own data when creating the CHE ranking. We very much appreciate the role of the Funding Atlas as an indispensable source of transparency and strategic benchmarking in the German research landscape and offer our warm congratulations on its tenth anniversary.”

Professor Dr. Frank Ziegele, Managing Director of the Centre for Higher Education (CHE)

How users see the German Research Funding Atlas

Opinions and congratulations – selected testimonials for the anniversary edition

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