Major donors - their stories, and why they support us.

Every one of our benefactors can tell a very personal story. All share a common ground: they are convinced that frontier research propells innovation, making it essential for innovation and prosperty of this country, and mankind as a whole. By supporting our research, they all are proud to have brought change.

A bequest fostering frontier research: Hermann Neuhaus

Thanks to a considerable legacy, Hermann Neuhaus established a foundation in 2007. The foundation's sole mission is to support research carried out by the Max Planck Society. [more]

Enthusiastic for research: Reinhard Pöllath

Reinhard Pöllath is a linchpin, and his commitment and foresight are pivotal to the success of the Max Planck Foundation, the establishment of which he made possible with Stefan von Holtzbrinck in 2005. [more]

Enabling the exceptional: Anne-Liese Gielen

Anne-Liese Gielen was associated with the Max Planck Society in a very special way. For herself she demanded "the freedom and strength to keep doing extraordinary things". [more]

Getting the whole picture: Traudl Engelhorn-Vechiatto

The lights were threatening to go out early on a unique Research Group conducting a legal comparison of over 30 Islamic legal systems governing the family and inheritance. For Traudl Engelhorn-Vechiatto, however, the importance of this subject was obvious and she acted immediately. [more]

A diamond for science: Sibylle Kalkhof-Rose

Thanks to the support of two long-time patrons of the Max Planck Society, the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz has dedicated a new laboratory to the married couple Sibylle and Walter Kalkhof-Rose. [more]

Learning from history: Heinz L. Krekeler

From chemist to high-ranking ambassador — Heinz Ludwig Krekeler had an astonishing career in turbulent times. For his entire life, he strived to achieve a social order based on consensus between freely deciding citizens. [more]

From planet aficionado to patron: Klaus Tschira

A major supporter of the natural sciences, computer science and mathematics - this is a description that fits entrepreneur Klaus Tschira, who made industrial history in his own career. [more]

A creative approach to building the future: Helmut Storz

"Following a busy and eventful life, which often put me on the sunny side of things, establishing a foundation seemed like a logical step," says the 90-year-old Helmut Storz looking back on his achievements. [more]

Constant dropping wears the stone: Wolfgang Hanrieder

Innovation through venture investment shaped Wolfgang Hanrieder's professional life. Today, he continues to invest venture capital with the establishment of the Hanrieder Foundation for Excellence. The foundation's aim is to provide support for talented young scientists. [more]