Leibniz Association: The Evaluation Procedure

Leibniz institutions are evaluated by the Leibniz Senate every seven years at the latest. The evaluation focuses on an independent assessment of how the institution has developed in the intervening years, in terms of content and structure, as well as on the persuasiveness of its plans for the future.

In particular, the members of the review board evaluate the quality of work carried out in science and research, consultancy and services as well as in other specific fields of activity. They also examine to what extent the Leibniz institution has produced a convincing strategy for combining and developing the individual strands.

In addition, attention is directed to cooperation with other institutions, such as neighbouring universities, and international visibility; the transfer of results to other sections of society; the promotion of junior researchers and efforts to achieve gender equality. The institution’s performance in terms of quality assurance is also assessed.

Overview of the evaluation procedure

Leibniz institutions are funded jointly by the Federation and the Länder. At the Joint Science Conference (GWK) the Federation and the Länder agreed that they would evaluate the institutions regularly – at the latest every seven years – to ascertain whether they still fulfilled the prerequisites of supraregional importance and national scientific interest in order to continue receiving joint funding. An external evaluation is the crucial assessment tool (see AV-WGL).
A further function of the evaluation undertaken by independent experts is to uncover valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of specific areas within the institution as well as its potential for continued development.
Joint Science Conference (GWK)
The Joint Science Conference (GWK) has delegated responsibility for conducting the evaluation procedure to the Senate of the Leibniz Association. The latter draws on the recommendations of the Senate Evaluation Committee (SAE) which is also composed of external members: members of the Senate, academics not employed by Leibniz institutions, representatives of the Federation and the Länder.
The Senate and SAE are supported in all evaluation matters by the Evaluation Department, which is directly subordinated to them.
Members of the Senate (in german only) (PDF)
Members of the SAE (In German Only) (PDF)
Rules of Procedure of the SAE (PDF)
The Leibniz Senate determines the principles underlying the evaluation procedure which is conducted in two stages:
During the first stage, an independent evaluation committee composed of experienced experts from home and abroad as well as members of the Senate Evaluation Committee (SAE) carries out a scientific evaluation according to clearly defined criteria. On the basis of a written evaluation package prepared by the institute according to a Senate blueprint and a visit to the institution usually lasting two days, the evaluation committee draws up an evaluation report analysing the quality and significance of the institution on the one hand, and making suggestions and recommendations for its continued development on the other. The institution being evaluated has an opportunity to comment on this report.
During the second stage, the Leibniz Senate agrees on a scientific policy statement on the institution under evaluation based on the evaluation report which contains a funding recommendation. SAE prepares the relevant document. The Senate’s statement is then published together with the following attachments: Summary of the Evaluation Package (Attachment A), Evaluation Report (Attachment B), Statement by the institution on the Evaluation Report (Attachment C). This completes the Senate’s evaluation procedure.
Subsequently, the GWK examines the Senate’s Statement as well as the statement submitted by the government department responsible for the institution in the Land which hosts the institute to establish whether the prerequisites for joint funding by the Federation and the Länder have been fulfilled.
On 26 November 2024, the Leibniz Senate amended the „Basic Principles“ for the Evaluation Procedure. Changes only concern attachment 2 (Items and Criteria for the Evaluation of Institutions) and attachment 3 (Guidelines for Preparing an Evaluation Package).
Leibniz institutions whose evaluation visit takes place between 1 July 2025 and 31 December 2025 are free to decide whether they wish to prepare the Evaluation Package in accordance with the new „Guidelines“ or to use the previous version of the „Guidelines“. For evaluation visits after 1 January 2026, the new „Guidelines“ are binding.
The Leibniz Association Senate Evaluation Procedure Basic Principles, without attachments (unchanged)
PDF
Attachment 1: Criteria to determine a potential conflict of interest on the part of review board members (unchanged)
PDF
Attachment 2: Items and criteria for the evaluation of institutions in the Leibniz Association (as amended on 26/11/2024)
PDF
Attachment 3: Guidelines for preparing an evaluation package (as amended on 26/11/2024)
PDF
Word
Tables (Excel)
Attachment 4: Deadlines for the evaluation procedure (unchanged)
PDF
On 26 November 2024, the Leibniz Senate adopted amendments to the „Basic Principles“ for the Evaluation Procedure. They affect attachment 2 (Items and Criteria for the Evaluation of Institutions) and attachment 3 (Guidelines for Preparing an Evaluation Package) exclusively.
Leibniz institutions whose evaluation visit takes place between 1 July 2025 and 31 December 2025 are free to decide whether they wish to prepare the Evaluation Package in accordance with the new „Guidelines“ or to use the formerly applicable „Guidelines“. For evaluation visits after 1 January 2026, the new „Guidelines“ are binding.
The Leibniz Association Senate Evaluation Procedure Basic Principles, without attachments (unchanged)
PDF
Attachment 1: Criteria to determine a potential conflict of interest on the part of review board members (unchanged)
PDF
Attachment 2: Items and criteria for the evaluation of institutions in the Leibniz Association (as amended on 27/11/2018)
PDF
Attachment 3: Guidelines for preparing an evaluation package (as amended on 27/11/2018)
PDF
Word
Tables (Excel)
Attachment 4: Deadlines for the evaluation procedure (unchanged)
PDF

Contact

Division Evaluation Committee
Leibniz Association
Chausseestraße 111
10115 Berlin
T +49 30 / 20 60 49 - 70
info@evaluierung-leibniz.de

Links

Senate statements