The DFG (German Research Foundation) is the self-governing organisation for science and research in Germany.

The DFG funds knowledge-oriented research without stipulation of topics and utilises competition to select the best projects in terms of scientific quality.

The DFG funds the best scientists and academics and pays particular attention to the promotion of young researchers and equal opportunities in the German research system.

The DFG promotes cooperation in science – especially interdisciplinary and international cooperation – as well as the interaction of science with industry and society.

The DFG gives policy advice to parliaments, governments and public institutions as well as the general public on scientific issues.

The Executive Committee consists of a full-time President and, currently, eight Vice Presidents, who serve in an honorary capacity. The President of the Donors' Association for the Promotion of Sciences and Humanities in Germany (Stifterverband für die deutsche Wissenschaft) serves in an advisory capacity.

The Senate is responsible for questions relating to science and research policy. It represents the interests and concerns of scientific and academic research, promotes cooperation and advises governments, parliaments and public authorities by issuing scientifically founded statements. The DFG sets priorities in research by establishing thematic Priority Programmes and Research Units.

The Joint Committee is the DFG’s main decision-making body. It bases its final research-policy decisions that relate to the DFG on resolutions passed by the DFG’s Senate. These especially pertain to decisions regarding the DFG’s budget and the general development of its funding policy. The Joint Committee decides on the implementation of new funding programmes and on modifications to existing funding instruments.

DFG membership is made up of research universities, major research institutes, the academies of sciences and humanities as well as a number of scientific associations. Each member organisation is represented by one delegate at the General Assembly, which convenes once a year. The General Assembly sets the guidelines and policies for the work of the DFG, receives and examines the annual report and annual account, approbates the Executive Committee, elects the President and other members of the Executive Committee and Senate, and decides on the acceptance of new members into the DFG.

One of the main tasks of elected review board members, who serve in an honorary capacity, is to ensure the quality of the DFG’s review process.

Science and research need public and political support. Through developing an appropriate framework of financial, legal and structural conditions, government policy is designed to promote and safeguard the international competitiveness and innovative character of Germany's research landscape.

One of the DFG's core strategies, which is to promote collaboration between researchers at home and abroad, has gained increasing importance in the recent past. Establishing offices abroad is a part of this international strategy.

The DFG plays an active role in international research policy through its membership in various international non-governmental organisations as well as in a number of other international committees.

In order to carry out its activities in the interest of research, the DFG maintains partnerships and relations with a large number of partner organisations on all continents. In many countries around the world, formal agreements continue to be a necessary prerequisite for cooperation in the field of science and research.

The process of European integration and an emerging "European Research Area" led the DFG to focus particular attention on scientific and research cooperation in Europe. The range of cross-border projects meanwhile extends from ordinary academic exchange grants and fellowships to financial support for scientific events.