caesar Foundation

center of advanced european studies and research (caesar)

Mission

The mission of the Foundation as stipulated in its articles of association is the advancement of science and research by establishing and operating a research centre in Bonn. The Foundation's task is basic and application-oriented research.

The novel aspect of caesar is its legal form as a foundation under private law with an own capitalization.  Following recommendations made by the Science Council in 2004 and 2006 respectively, the caesar research centre is to be given a new structure. The MPG has developed an appropriate concept. In future, caesar is to focus on the neurosciences.

Under the concept developed by the Max Planck Society, which the Board of Trustees adopted in June 2006, neuroscientific research will be linked with engineering research, in particular in the areas of neurosensorics and neuroprothetics. The new concept will be implemented step by step.

caesar will continue under the legal form of legally independent foundation while the MPG will take over scientific and institutional responsibility.

Establishment

On 11 July 1995, the caesar Foundation was established as a foundation with legal capacity under private law.

Financing

The Foundation is financed out of returns from its endowment to the amount of €383.47 million (€350.24 million federal funds from the Bonn/Berlin compensation, including €97.15 million for building and investment) as well as funds to the amount of €33.23 million provided by Land North Rhine-Westphalia. The Foundation does not receive institution-based funding but is largely oriented to raising its own funds.

Structure

The Foundation's supervisory body is the Board of Trustees; its current members are representatives of the Federal Government and the Land, the city of Bonn as well as of science and industry.

According to its current articles of association, the Foundation is managed jointly by a scientific and a commercial/administrative member of the Board. The MPG has proposed to appoint an interim acting scientific director.