Crises and conflicts now dominate the foreign-policy agenda more than ever before. That holds even more true during the corona pandemic, which has plunged the entire world into turmoil. In order to overcome this crisis, we look to the researchers who are working extremely hard around the world to understand the virus and its concrete effects and to develop vaccines and medicines.

As regards the other crises in the world, which we have not forgotten, we need to know the causes of conflicts, the triggers, the parameters and the influential factors. Only if we understand situations in depth will we be able to alleviate crises and work on solutions. Here too, we rely on research and academia.

The German Foundation for Peace Research plays a particularly crucial role in funding research projects, as well as in knowledge transfer and dialogue on knowledge. For example, it supports research in the field of post-conflict peacebuilding, arms control, disarmament, new technologies and stabilisation. Between 2020 and 2023, the Federal Foreign Office will provide the foundation with six million euro in funding, thus increasing its capital and enhancing its financial scope.