The Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society aims to be a leading independent research institute with a global scope. With initial funding from Google by € 4.5 million till 2013, the course of the incorporation of the Institute started in 2011.
In order to preserve the independence of the research, two companies were formed: the ‘Gesellschaft für Internetforschungsförderung gGmbH’ (GFI), has been founded as a pool for all external funding by private companies. The GFI, thus, will be acting as a ‘Donation-Company’ for providing funds to the ‘Research Company’ which is the ‘Alexander von Humboldt-Institut für Internet und Gesellschaft gGmbH’. It is intended to find more private investors to fund the HIIG as well as to acquire new research funds by public institutions, such as DFG.
The ‘Alexander von Humboldt-Institut für Internet und Gesellschaft gGmbH’ is held by the shareholder Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin, the University of Arts Berlin and the Social Science Research Center Berlin. Besides, the Hans-Bredow Institute Hamburg has been gained as an integrated co-operation partner. A Board of Trustees supervises the structural and strategic development of the institute. In addition to the shareholders, well-known personalities from science and society are members of the Board of trustees. An Advisory Council will advise the research agenda and critically evaluate the thematic focus of the Institute and thereby contribute to ensuring the independence of the research.The scientific lead of the Institute is up to the Directors, who represent the various disciplines. Each of them is responsible for a thematic research area. They design the research agenda of the institute, they arrange joint research projects and scientific events and lead the Doctoral Programme for young scientists. The directors elect a speaker, who represents the Institute on scientific matters to the outside. The directors are also the general managers of the Institute, supported by an administrative management. Prof. Dr. Ingolf Pernice was elected Speaker of the Directors. Administrative Manager is Dr. Karina Preiß.
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Memorandum of Association (pdf German)