About the ifo Institute
“Shaping the Economic Debate”: The ifo Institute wants to help shape the economic policy debate in Germany and Europe. We can do this because we combine excellent research with economic policy relevance. Our research findings provide policymakers and business leaders with a basis for making informed decisions. We prepare economic findings in such a way that the media and the public can understand and classify current economic and political events. The people at the ifo Institute, its supporters, and its committees make it possible to fulfill our mission. Our close cooperation with Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) in Munich is an important basis for our success.
75 Years of ifo Institute
On January 24, the ifo Institute turned 75 years old. Throughout the year, numerous activities will tell the story of ifo’s and CESifo’s past, present, and future. They will feature interviews with people from across ifo, explore different places, and showcase ifo development milestones.
“International links and intensive cooperation between scholars form the basis for high-quality economic research with a real impact.”
Five Fields of Action
Research at ifo combines academic excellence with economic policy relevance. Five fields of action form the basis for this bridge building: research, policy advice, information and services, participation in public debates, and development of junior economists. In all these areas we aim to achieve excellence. Our five fields of action are closely interlinked: research is the basis for policy advice. And we can participate in public debates on the basis of newly gained knowledge.
Young economists make a significant contribution to achieving excellent research results. The development of junior economists is particularly important to us. The ifo Institute’s activities in the area of information and services in turn ensure that our findings reach the various stakeholder groups: through events, media work, or publications.
Our Central Topic of Research
We analyze the role of government action with the aim of sustainably maintaining economic prosperity and social cohesion.
We believe that government action must be taken in four key areas. These are based on the functions of the state as formulated by Richard Musgrave in his finance research.
Government action should:
1. Ensure that resources are used where they bring the most benefit.
2. Promote the stability and sustainability of economic development.
3. Guarantee social security.
4. Provide as many people as possible with access to education so that they can take advantage of the opportunities offered to them in an open society.
Our research topics are closely linked to the concept of the social market economy. As a regulatory framework, it simultaneously achieves economic efficiency, stability, and social balance. It has proven its worth over the past decades – not only in Germany, but also in large parts of Europe. We think through the concept of the social market economy and adapt it to ensure its continued success under changed economic and political conditions.
Rules of Good Scientific Practice
We set the highest standards for our scientific work, are transparent about our supporters, and take responsibility for the results of our research. We are guided by the Leibniz Code for Good Research Practice, which – in implementing the relevant regulations of the German Research Foundation (DFG) – describes the area of scientific integrity in full and updates the existing standards in a binding manner. In addition, we follow the Guidelines for Good Scientific Practice in the Leibniz Association, which set out a code of practice and the sanctions available within the central investigation process.
The guideline for good scientific practice in the Leibniz Association provides for an independent, decentralized ombudsperson to whom ifo employees and, if necessary, third parties can turn in matters of good scientific practice and in matters of suspected scientific misconduct. The scientists of the ifo Institute elected Prof. Dr. Joachim Winter (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich) as ombudsperson for a term of five years.
The ifo Institute has a quality management system certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001.
Equality
We want our equality policy to play a part in achieving society’s goal of giving men and women the same opportunities for individual self-actualization. That is why we systematically pursue three objectives:
- We are working to ensure that women and men receive the same opportunities to combine their personal life, family, and career in a balanced manner.
- We are ensuring that suitable yardsticks are created for both women and men with regard to equality in the evaluation of their performance and the resulting career opportunities.
- We are identifying mechanisms of possible discrimination and systematically dismantling them.
The legal bases for equality at the ifo Institute include the following:
- The Implementation Agreement on the Equality of Men and Women in Joint Funding Activities for Research concluded by Germany’s federal and state governments pursuant to Art. 91b of the German constitution
- The German Research Foundation’s (DFG’s) Research-Oriented Standards on Gender Equality and the Leibniz Association’s framework recommendations.
The Institute’s Equality Plan is updated every two years under the direction of the Executive Board and published here.
Organization
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Executive Board of the ifo Institute
The Executive Board runs the Institute’s business and is responsible for strategic planning and research management. Its members are appointed by the Administrative Council, and contract renewal is allowed. The chairperson of the Executive Board is the president, who is appointed jointly by the ifo Institute and the University of Munich.
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Clemens Fuest has been President of the ifo Institute since April 2016. Dr. Stephanie Dittmer has been a member of the Executive Board since September 2017.
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Research Departments
ifo Center for Macroeconomics and Surveys
ifo Center for Public Finance and Political Economy
ifo Center for Labor and Demographic Economics
ifo Center for the Economics of Education
ifo Center for Industrial Organization and New Technologies
ifo Center for Energy, Climate, and Resources
ifo Center for International Economics
ifo Center for International Institutional Comparisons and Migration Research
ifo Center for Social Market Economy and Institutional Economics
Research Group Taxation and Fiscal Policy
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Infrastructure Areas
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General Meeting
The General Meeting approves the annual accounts and the report of the Executive Board. It also elects the members of the Board of Trustees. The annual general meeting takes place in June at which the annual report is presented to the members.
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ifo Administrative Council
The Administrative Council of the ifo Institute has a supervisory and advisory role vis-à-vis the Executive Board. The Administrative Council consists of the chairperson of the Board of Trustees, professors from the economic and business faculties of the LMU, representatives from both the Federal and Bavarian governments, the chairperson of the Scientific Advisory Council and up to five other members chosen by the General Meeting. The term of office of elected Administrative Council members commences on 1 July of their year of election and lasts for three years. The Administrative Council Chairperson is Nina Hugendubel.
Members of the ifo Administrative Council
Nina Hugendubel (chairwoman)
Geschäftsführende Gesellschafterin der H. Hugendubel GmbH & Co. KGDr. Elga Bartsch
Leiterin der Abteilung I, Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und KlimaschutzDr. Christine Bortenlänger (vice chairwoman)
Geschäftsführende Vorständin, Deutsches Aktieninstitut e.V.Prof. Dr. Ralf Elsas
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Fakultät für BetriebswirtschaftProf. Dr. Veronika Grimm
Technische Universität Nürnberg, DeutschlandProf. Dr. Andreas Haufler
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Volkswirtschaftliche FakultätDr. Annette Niederfranke
Staatssekretärin a.D., Direktorin der Vertretung in Deutschland der Internationalen Arbeitsorganisation (ILO)Dr. Wolf Heinrich Reuter
Staatssekretär, Bundesministerium der FinanzenDr. Thomas Schnell
Geschäftsführer, Dr. Schnell GmbH & Co KGaADr. Ludger Schuknecht
Vice President, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in ChinaThomas Westphal
Director General Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN), Council of the European UnionDr. Markus Wittmann
Ministerialdirektor, Amtsleitung des Bayerischen Staatsministeriums für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie
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Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees consists of individuals from academic institutions, business, trade unions and public administration. It supports the Executive Board in discharging its duties. The term of office of members of the board of trustees commences on 1 July of their year of election and lasts for three years. The Chairperson of the Board of Trustees is Nina Hugendubel.
Members of the Board of Trustees
Nina Hugendubel (chairwoman)
Geschäftsführende Gesellschafterin der H. Hugendubel GmbH & Co. KGDr. Christine Bortenlänger (vice chairwoman)
Geschäftsführende Vorständin, Deutsches Aktieninstitut e.V.Prof. Dr. Dr. Ann-Kristin Achleitner
TU MünchenEngelbert Beyer, Ministerialrat
Leiter der Abteilung Innovationspolitische Querschnittsfragen, Bundesministerium für Bildung und ForschungDr. Elisabeth Denison
Chief People Officer, Deloitte DeutschlandProf. Dr. Martin Faulstich
Direktor des Instituts für die Zukunft der Industriegesellschaft INZIN und Ordinarius, Technische Universität ClausthalAlbert Füracker
Bayerischer Staatsminister der Finanzen und für HeimatStefan Genth
Hauptgeschäftsführer des Handelsverbands Deutschland - HDE e.V.Verena Göppert
Stellvertretende Hauptgeschäftsführerin des Deutschen StädtetagsDr. Manfred Gößl
Hauptgeschäftsführer der IHK für München und OberbayernDr. Thomas Gößl
Präsident des Bayerischen Landesamtes für StatistikAlexander Gunkel
Mitglied der Hauptgeschäftsführung der BDA, Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen ArbeitgeberverbändeClaudia Heinzel
Omegaconsulting GmbHSabine Herold
Geschäftsführende Gesellschafterin, DELO Industrie Klebstoffe GmbH & Co KGaAMarion Höllinger
Sprecherin der Geschäftsführung, UniCredit Bank GmbHProf. Dr. Thomas F. Hofmann
Präsident der Technischen Universität MünchenValerie Holsboer
Prof. Dr. Bernd Huber
Präsident der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenManuela Kasper-Claridge
Chefredakteurin, Deutsche WelleDr. Michael Kerkloh
Gerd Kremer
Bernhard Krüsken
Generalsekretär des Deutschen BauernverbandesDr. Christian Lieberknecht
Mitglied der Geschäftsführung, Bundesverband deutscher Wohnungs- und Immobilienunternehmen e.V.Dr. Marc Lucassen
Hauptgeschäftsführer der IHK Augsburg und SchwabenJohannes Peter Martin
Managing Partner, Procedere-ConsultingProf. Dr. Alfred Maußner
Universität Augsburg, Lehrstuhl für VolkswirtschaftslehreDr. Volker Meyer-Guckel
Generalsekretär und Mitglied der Geschäftsführung, Stifterverband für die Deutsche WissenschaftDr. Jürgen Michels
Leiter Volkswirtschaft und Research der Bayern LBProf. Dr. Armin Nassehi
Institut für Soziologie, LMU MünchenProf. Dr Angelika Niebler, MdEP
Vorsitzende der CSU-Gruppe im Europäischen ParlamentDr. Annette Niederfranke
Staatssekretärin a.D., Direktorin der Vertretung in Deutschland der Internationalen Arbeitsorganisation (ILO)Kai Ostermann
stellvertretender Vorstandsvorsitzender Deutsche Leasing AGFelix Pakleppa
Hauptgeschäftsführer des Zentralverbands des Deutschen BaugewerbesFranz Xaver Peteranderl
Präsident der Handwerkskammer für München und OberbayernHenriette Peucker (bis 31.7.2023)
Stellvertretende Hauptgeschäftsführerin, Bundesverband Deutscher BankenDr. Carsten Pillath
Dr. Klaus-Peter Potthast
Leiter der Abteilung 2, Wirtschaftspolitik, im Bayerischen Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und EnergieFranz Josef Pschierer
MdL, Staatsminister a.D.Wolfgang Reichel
Sprecher des Vorstands, Lebensversicherung von 1871 a.G.Dr. Dieter Reiter
Oberbürgermeister der Landeshauptstadt MünchenDr. Wolf Heinrich Reuter
Staatssekretär, Bundesministerium der FinanzenDr. Johann Schachtner
Generalsekretär im Wirtschaftsbeirat der UnionDr. Thomas Schnell
Geschäftsführer, Dr. Schnell GmbH & Co KGaAProf. Dr. Monika Schnitzer
LMU München, Fakultät VWLProf. Dr. Wolfgang Schön
Direktor, MPI Max-Planck-Institut für Steuerrecht und Öffentliche FinanzenDr. Ludger Schuknecht
Vice President, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in ChinaDr. Bernhard Schwab
Vorstandsvorsitzender, LfA Förderbank BayernHolger Schwannecke
Generalsekretär des Zentralverbands des Deutschen HandwerksDr. Günther Thallinger
Mitglied des Vorstands, Allianz SEProf. Dr. Anja Tuschke
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Institut für Strategische UnternehmensführungHartmut Vorjohann
Sächsischer Staatsminister der FinanzenDr. Peter-Alexander Wacker
Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats der Wacker Chemie AGDr. Ursula Weidenfeld
Freie JournalistinJakob von Weizsäcker
Minister der Finanzen und für Wissenschaft, SaarlandThomas Westphal
Director General Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN), Council of the European UnionDr. Otto Wiesheu
Staatsminister a.D., Ehrenpräsident Wirtschaftsbeirat der Union
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ifo Scientific Advisory Council
The Scientific Advisory Council consists of internationally respected, independent academics and experts. It was established to provide independent, external quality control and to advise the Executive Board and the Administrative Council in the long-term planning of research and development as well as on future appointments of Executive Board members. The Scientific Advisory Council advises both the ifo Institute and CESifo. Scientific Advisory Council members are elected for four years and can be re-elected for one term only.
The chairmen of the Scientific Advisory Council to date were: Prof. Dr. Anthony J. Venables CBE, University of Oxford, UK (2016-2021), Prof. Robin Boadway Ph.D., Queen’s University London, Canada (2013 – 2016), Prof. Robert Haveman Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA (2008 – 2013), Prof. Assaf Razin Ph.D., Tel Aviv University, Israel, and Cornell University, USA (2005 – 2008) and Prof. David Bradford Ph.D. (2000 – 2005).
Prof. Dr. Abigail Payne (chairwoman)
University of Melbourne, AustraliaProf. Dr. Veronika Grimm (vice chairwoman)
University of Technology Nuremberg, GermanyProf. Richard Blundell CBE FBA
University College London, UKProf. Dr. Alessandra Casarico
Università Bocconi, ItalyProf. Michael Devereux, Ph.D.
University of Oxford, UKProf. Dr. Hans Gersbach
ETH Zürich, SwitzerlandProf. Stephen Hansen, Ph.D.
University College London, UKProf. James Hines, Ph.D.
University of Michigan, USAProf. Beata Smarzynska Javorcik, Ph.D.
University of Oxford, UKProf. Dr. Abigail Payne
University of Melbourne, AustraliaProf. Ricardo Reis, Ph.D.
London School of Economics, UKProf. Kimberley Scharf, Ph.D.
University of Nottingham, UKProf. Dr. Rolf Tschernig
Universität Regensburg, Germany
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User Advisory Council
The ifo Institute has established a User Advisory Council to strengthen contacts with the target audiences of its services. These include academics and researchers, governmental institutions, the business world, and national and international media. The User Advisory Council’s task is to advise the ifo Institute on the development and evaluation of its services. This includes expanding its range of services, as well as the content-related presentation and quality of the Institute’s services. The Chairperson of the User Advisory Council is Prof. Rolf Tschernig, University of Regensburg.
Prof. Dr. Rolf Tschernig (Chairperson)
Universität Regensburg, Lehrstuhl für Ökonometrie, Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche FakultätDr. Manuel Kallweit
Leiter der Abteilung Märkte, Analysen, Rohstoffe, Statistik, Verband der Automobilindustrie e.V. (VDA)Manuela Kasper-Claridge
Chefredakteurin, Deutsche WelleMDirig. Dr. Klaus-Peter Potthast
Leiter der Abteilung Wirtschaftspolitik, Koordination und Industrie, Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und EnergieProf. Dr. Jan-Egbert Sturm
Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, KOF-KonjunkturforschungsstelleDr. Ursula Weidenfeld
freie JournalistinDr. Ralph Wiechers
Mitglied der Hauptgeschäftsführung, zuständig für Finanzen, Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau e.V. (VDMA)Dr. Jochen Wiegmann
Referatsleiter Wirtschaftspolitische Positionen, Regionalausschüsse in der Wirtschaftsregion München, IHK für München und Oberbayern
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Representatives
Ombudsperson of good scientific practice: Prof. Dr. Joachim Winter
Data Protection Officer: Legaltech GmbH
Equal Opportunity Officer: Dr. Dorothea Pohlmann
Inclusion Representative: Jana Lippelt
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Society Membership
Membership of the ifo Institute – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich is available to individuals and organisations in Germany and around the world. The Ifo Institute is a registered society according to German law (eingetragener Verein – e.V.) and is governed according to its By-laws. The ifo Institute is entered in the register of associations in Munich under the number 4419 and is recognized as a non-profit organisation. As part of their membership, members regularly receive the following publications, invitations to events and discounts on selected products.
Members set their own membership fees. The minimum annual membership fee is currently EUR 400; plus value added tax for the subscriptions share (currently EUR 4.20 for a membership fee of EUR 400). Because ifo is a non-profit organisation, the membership fee is tax deductible in Germany.
Read more about our honorary members and contact persons for questions about membership.
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Bylaws
The ifo Institute has the legal form of a registered association whose sole and direct purpose is non-profit research in economics and social sciences. The legal basis of the ifo Institute is its bylaws, which were adopted at the General Meeting on June 29, 2011.
