State and federal government can jointly finance research buildings at universities according to Art. 91b GG.

Proposals for the financing of research buildings are submitted to the German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat) within the frame of so called funding phases. Based on an assessment, the Council makes recommendations to the Joint Science Conference (GWK) on the individual proposals. The GWK decides annually about the acceptance of the project into the joint funding.

Up to funding phase 2020, instrumentation contained in a funded research building needs to be approved by DFG before procurement. A proposal on Major Instrumentation in Research buildings has to be submitted. The DFG assesses and evaluates these proposals and provides a respective recommendation.

The financial processing of research buildings including recommended instrumentation is negotiated between the federal government and the respective state.