Wilhelm und Else Heraeus-Stiftung

The Wilhelm und Else Heraeus-Stiftung is a non-profit foundation under German civil law (gemeinnützige Stiftung des bürgerlichen Rechts) dedicated to promoting research and education in the natural sciences, particularly physics. It was established in 1963 by Dr. Wilhelm Heinrich Heraeus (1900–1985), a grandson of the founder of W. C. Heraeus GmbH in Hanau (today Heraeus Holding GmbH), and his wife Else Heraeus (1903–1987). Since the mid-1970s it has worked closely with the German Physical Society (DPG). It is regarded as the most significant private funding institution in the field of physics in Germany. The foundation is both operational and grant-making, supporting scientific exchange through conferences and seminars, talented students, teaching and training development, and grants to tax-privileged institutions.

The childless couple Wilhelm and Else Heraeus were socially engaged in various ways, including in the reconstruction of the war-destroyed Walloon-Netherlands Church in Hanau. In 1963 Wilhelm and Else Heraeus founded the Dr. Wilhelm Heinrich Heraeus und Else Heraeus-Stiftung, which was initially dedicated to supporting needy children, the construction of a kindergarten in Hanau, and support for the Hessen-Mittelrhein-Saar regional association of the German Physical Society. In 1972 the foundation adopted a new constitution with the sole purpose of 'promoting basic research in the field of natural sciences'. A three-person foundation board was installed, including a member to be appointed by the German Physical Society (DPG). This DPG representation was held for 21 years by Prof. Dr. Werner Buckel (Karlsruhe), who had also advised the founding couple on the revision of the statutes as then-president of the DPG. In 1984 the German Physical Society awarded Dr. Wilhelm Heinrich Heraeus honorary membership and named a room of the Physics Center Bad Honnef after him. After the death of Dr. Wilhelm Heinrich Heraeus, Prof. Dr. Dieter Röß took over the office of chairman of the foundation board. Wilhelm Ernst Heraeus, a nephew of Dr. Wilhelm Heinrich Heraeus, succeeded Mrs. Else Heraeus in 1987. In 1993 Prof. Dr. Joachim Treusch succeeded Prof. Dr. Werner Buckel in the office of the board member to be appointed by the DPG. In 1999 the foundation was renamed Wilhelm und Else Heraeus-Stiftung. This was accompanied by an amendment to the statutes that has since allowed it to also promote education in the field of natural sciences.

Regarded among physicists as the most significant private funding institution in the field of physics in Germany; its brand core is a focus on physics.

1. 1Wilhelm und Else Heraeus-Stiftung: Wilhelm und Else Heraeus Stiftungwe-heraeus-stiftung.de
2. 2Wilhelm und Else Heraeus-Stiftung: Geschichtewe-heraeus-stiftung.de
3. 3Wilhelm und Else Heraeus-Stiftung: ÜBER UNSwe-heraeus-stiftung.de
4. 4Wilhelm und Else Heraeus-Stiftung: Leitbildwe-heraeus-stiftung.de