Due to a great need for research to facilitate implementation of the National Strategy on Biological Diversity, the DFG developed the idea of having its own collaborative research centre for biodiversity. Finally, an institution in the form of a DFG research centre was decided upon. In the time leading up to October 2010, 15 universities applied to the DFG for establishment of the research centre. The concepts of the FU Berlin, the University of Göttingen, the University Network Halle-Jena-Leipzig and the University of Oldenburg were preselected in July 2011 by the DFG Senate. The FU Berlin and the University Network Halle-Jena-Leipzig were then shortlisted. On April 27, 2012, came the decision in favour of the University Network Halle-Jena-Leipzig and for the establishment of the core centre at the Leipzig location. At its meeting in Bonn, the DFG’s central committee selected the joint application of the Universities of Halle, Jena and Leipzig on the recommendation of the DFG Senate. The scientific and structural conditions at the three neighbouring locations are excellent, and the fact that they already had a strong reputation and had conducted numerous, in some instances internationally oriented research projects in the field of biodiversity science before the opening of the research centre influenced the DFG in its decision. In addition, eight non-university research institutions are involved in the new centre: the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, the Leibniz Institute DSMZ - German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research and the Leibniz Institute Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz. In autumn 2012, the centre moved to the Biocity at Deutscher Platz 5 in the southeast of the city of Leipzig. iDiv will move into a new building, currently under construction, in March 2020.
Financing
The DFG finances iDiv in the current, second funding period with approximately 9 million euros annually. This represents an increase of 32 percent compared to the first funding period. In addition, the partners in the iDiv consortium make their own contributions and there are also third-party grants for individual research projects. The DFG usually funds DFG research centres such as iDiv for three four-year periods.
Research
Biodiversity research at iDiv takes place against the backdrop of the current biodiversity crisis. The magnitude of it, the underlying processes and consequences for humanity are often unknown. In order to better understand the complex interactions, iDiv research prioritises synthesis, theory and transdisciplinarity. iDiv has two missions: First, to provide a scientific basis for the sustainable use of our planet’s biodiversity. Second, to develop a new field of research: ‘Integrative Biodiversity Research’
Staff and structure
The managing director of iDiv is the botanist Christian Wirth. The co-directors are soil ecologist François Buscot, geobotanist Helge Bruelheide and geoecologist Kirsten Küsel. To date, eight full professors have been appointed: • Experimental Interaction Ecology • Biodiversity Conservation • Ecosystem Services • Molecular Interaction Ecology • Physiological Diversity • Biodiversity Synthesis • Theory in Biodiversity Sciences • Spatial Interaction Ecology There are several units of central management: In the sDiv Synthesis Centre, scientists from all over the world come together in so-called working groups in order to gain new insight from existing knowledge and data. The aim of the graduate school, yDiv is to train a new generation of interdisciplinary biodiversity scientists. Scientific coordination promotes integration among the working groups and iDiv members who are located throughout Germany. IT Support, Bioinformatics and Biodiversity Informatics ensure the storage, provision and analysis of data. The administration team takes care of purchasing, finance, human resources and infrastructure. The Department of Media and Communication promotes dialogue with politics and society.
