The Leopoldina was founded in 1652 and, with around 1500 members, brings together outstanding scientists from around 30 countries. It is committed to free science for the benefit of mankind and to shaping the future. As Germany's national academy, the Leopoldina represents German science in international bodies and takes an independent position on the scientific basis of political and social issues. To this end, it prepares independent expert reports of national and international importance. The Leopoldina promotes scientific and public discussion, supports young scientists, awards prizes, carries out research projects and is committed to protecting the human rights of persecuted scientists.

www.leopoldina.org

By naming itself after Carl von Ossietzky, the University of Oldenburg has emphasised that science has a responsibility to society and must engage in public discourse. It still feels committed to this claim. The University of Oldenburg unites a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines, ranging from linguistics, cultural studies and humanities to education, art and music, law, economics and social sciences, mathematics, computing science and natural sciences, as well as medicine and health sciences, which were newly established in 2012. The University of Oldenburg is a young university that has been helping to provide economic and cultural impetus to the north-west region since it was founded in 1973.

www.uni-oldenburg.de

The Volkswagen Foundation is a non-profit foundation under private law. It was established in 1961 by the Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Lower Saxony and is not a corporate foundation. It promotes science and technology in research and teaching and supports the humanities and social sciences as well as the natural and engineering sciences and medicine.

www.volkswagenstiftung.de