The Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften

The Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften (BAdW) (Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities), founded in 1759, is one of the oldest state academies in Germany as well as the largest and strongest in terms of research. It conducts long-term research, networks scholars across disciplines and national borders, promotes young academics in Bavaria, uses its expertise to make an impact on politics and society, and provides a forum for dialogue between academia and the public.

BAdW conducts basic research in the humanities and social sciences as well as in the natural and technical sciences in more than 60 projects. The research results from their long-term projects form the basis for further research and safeguard the cultural heritage. The three-year ad hoc working groups work on innovative research ideas or address issues of high social relevance. Four institutes belong to the BAdW: the Leibniz-Rechenzentrum (Leibniz Computing Centre) as well as the Walther-Meißner-Institut für Tieftemperaturforschung (Walther Meissner Institute for Low Temperature Research) on the Garching Research Campus, the Kommission für bayerische Landesgeschichte (Commission for Bavarian Regional History) at the Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften and the Bayerische Forschungsinstitut für Digitale Transformation (Bavarian Research Institute for Digital Transformation).

The academy offers top scientists a forum for interdisciplinary exchange. This results in synergy effects and inspiration, on the basis of which new research questions can be developed. The BAdW enables young researchers in Bavaria to engage in cross-generational dialogue with established researchers. Numerous famous researchers and scholars, including a number of Nobel Prize winners, were and are members of the BAdW, among them Alexander and Wilhelm von Humboldt, Therese von Bayern, Max von Pettenkofer, Max Planck, Albert Einstein, Max Weber, Theodor Hänsch, Gerhard Ertl and Reinhard Genzel. The academy promotes excellent young scientists in Bavaria at its Junges Kolleg (Young Academy). One decisive criterion for inclusion is the innovative, creative nature of the research project. The Junges Kolleg is funded by the Bavarian State Ministry for Science and the Arts. The BAdW has been awarding post-doctoral fellowships for research projects that are directly related to one of the academy projects since 2018.

The Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften publishes its research results in publication series and makes them available online free of charge as part of its Open Access strategy. Conferences and workshops serve academic exchange. Public events promote the dialogue between science and the public. Most events are also available online as podcasts in the BAdW media library. The “Akademie Aktuell” magazine informs readers about the latest research results and the academy members’ activities three times a year.

• The objects of the "Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften" available on bavarikon

Collections of the "Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften" available on bavarikon

• The Imperial Robes of Bamberg

Exhibitions with the participation of the "Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften" available on bavarikon

• Changing Imperial Robes – Gold-embroidered staging of the past