Germany: Leibniz Association elects Christoph M. Schmidt as president

The Leibniz Association has elected Christoph M. Schmidt as its eighth president. Schmidt was elected with one abstention and no votes against, according to the Leibniz Association's press release published on 05/11/2025. He will succeed current president Martina Brockmeier on 01/07/2026.

The Leibniz Association connects 96 independent German research institutions. It collaborates with universities, industry and other partners, and is funded jointly by German central and regional governments.

Schmidt has been president of the RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research in Essen since 2002. He also holds a professorship at Ruhr University Bochum and is Vice-President of the German Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech).

Schmidt said: "My goal is to establish our network as a reliable partner for a breakthrough in key technologies and innovations. Equally important will be communicating the process of scientific discovery to a broad public... Because science should not only create knowledge, but can and should also provide guidance and impetus for the future."

Five vice…