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History and objectives of the foundation

The Medical Research Foundation at Universitätsklinikum Erlangen (Forschungsstiftung Medizin am Universitätsklinikum Erlangen) was founded in December 2007 by a group of professors at Universitätsklinikum Erlangen. They were joined by the mayor of the City of Erlangen at the time, Dr. Siegfried Balleis, as well as the then head physician of the teaching hospital in Ottobeuren, Dr. Wolfgang Pflederer, and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen as a supporting institution.

The founding members wanted to set an example and provided the initial capital for the foundation of around 147,000 euros from their own personal assets. The motivation behind the foundation was the common belief that university-level research in Germany must not only rely on state financing if it is to retain its high standards internationally. Rather, the personal dedication of each individual is set to play an ever more important role. The foundations at large American universities serve as a model in this respect. It was essential for the founders that sponsors, donors and patrons are all recognized for their contributions and that the process for handling all contributions ranging from individual donations to endowments or dedicated foundations remains simple for the donor. A signature is all that is usually required.

“The founders shared the belief that university-level research in Germany must not rely on state financing alone.”

The Medical Research Foundation is managed by DT Deutsche Stiftungstreuhand AG (lawyer: H. Ohlmann), Schwabacher Str. 32, 90762 Fürth.