German-Polish Science Foundation

The German-Polish Science Foundation (Deutsch-Polnische Wissenschaftsstiftung, DPWS; Polish: Polsko-Niemiecka Fundacja na rzecz Nauki, PNFN) is a binational foundation founded in 2006 and based in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany. It supports projects in the humanities, social sciences, cultural studies, law and economics that focus on German-Polish relations. The initiative was launched by Germany and Poland in 2005, with the Federal Republic of Germany providing an endowment of 50 million euros. Gesine Schwan was a co-founder. The foundation has supported approximately 500 projects with about 14 million euros, carried out by researchers from 140 institutions in Germany and 100 institutions in Poland (as of 2025). The foundation is governed by a board chaired by prominent figures in German-Polish relations. Rita Süssmuth, former President of the Bundestag, served as chair from 2008 to 2023. She was succeeded by Cornelia Pieper, former Minister of State in the Foreign Office and former Consul General in Gdańsk, who served from 2023 to 2026. In 2026, Florian Hahn, Minister of State in the Foreign Office, took over the chairmanship. The academic advisory board is chaired by Stefan Troebst. The DPWS is active in fostering scientific exchange and dialogue between Germany and Poland. It organizes public events, such as podium discussions on topics of mutual interest. For example, on 29 June 2026, it co-hosted a discussion titled "Über Mut. Brauchen wir in der heutigen Außenpolitik Autoritäten?" (On Courage: Do We Need Authorities in Today's Foreign Policy?) in Warsaw, with participants including Heiko Maas, Cornelia Pieper and Prof. Dr. Andrzej Szeptycki. The foundation also maintains a website at www.dpws.de, where it publishes news and press releases. The foundation mourned the passing of Rita Süssmuth in February 2026, honoring her long-standing commitment to German-Polish understanding and scientific exchange. The DPWS continues to operate as a key institution in bilateral academic cooperation.

The German-Polish Science Foundation (DPWS) was established in 2006 in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, following an initiative launched by Germany and Poland in 2005. The Federal Republic of Germany provided an endowment of 50 million euros. Gesine Schwan was a co-founder. The foundation's purpose is to support projects in the humanities, social sciences, cultural studies, law and economics that deal with German-Polish relations. From 2008 to 2023, Rita Süssmuth, former President of the Bundestag, served as chairwoman of the board. Under her leadership, the foundation supported approximately 500 projects with about 14 million euros, involving researchers from 140 institutions in Germany and 100 institutions in Poland (as of 2025). In 2023, Cornelia Pieper, former Minister of State in the Foreign Office and former Consul General in Gdańsk, succeeded Süssmuth as chairwoman. In autumn 2025, an attempt by CSU State Secretary Silke Launert to replace Pieper with CSU politician and Schlager singer Tobias Thalhammer met with resistance within the foundation, and Thalhammer withdrew his candidacy. In 2026, Florian Hahn, Minister of State in the Foreign Office, took over the chairmanship. The academic advisory board is chaired by Stefan Troebst. The foundation organizes public events and discussions. On 29 June 2026, it co-hosted a podium discussion in Warsaw titled "Über Mut. Brauchen wir in der heutigen Außenpolitik Autoritäten?" with participants including Heiko Maas, Cornelia Pieper and Prof. Dr. Andrzej Szeptycki. The foundation also mourned the death of Rita Süssmuth on 1 February 2026, honoring her contributions to German-Polish understanding.

• 2026

  Florian Hahn becomes chairman of the board.

• 2026

  Death of Rita Süssmuth on 1 February.

• 2025

  Attempt to replace Pieper with Tobias Thalhammer fails; Thalhammer withdraws candidacy.

• 2023

  Cornelia Pieper succeeds Rita Süssmuth as chairwoman.

• 2008

  Rita Süssmuth becomes chairwoman of the board.

• 2006

  Foundation established in Frankfurt (Oder).

• 2005

  Initiative launched by Germany and Poland; Germany provides 50 million euros endowment.

A binational foundation promoting scientific exchange and understanding between Germany and Poland through research funding and dialogue.

• Research project funding

  Grants for projects in humanities, social sciences, cultural, legal and economic studies on German-Polish relations.

• Academic exchange support

  Support for researchers from German and Polish institutions.

1. 1DPWS: Deutsch-Polnische Wissenschaftsstiftung (DPWS)dpws.de
2. 2Deutsch-Polnische Wissenschaftsstiftungde.wikipedia.org
3. 3Wikidatawikidata.org