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Cologne scientist Thomas Benzing in the DFG Senate: A great success!
Professor Thomas Benzing from the University of Cologne will be elected to the DFG Senate for three years in 2026 to represent clinical medicine.
Cologne scientist Thomas Benzing in the DFG Senate: A great success!
From January 1, 2026, Professor Dr. Thomas Benzing from the University of Cologne is a member of the Senate of the German Research Foundation (DFG). This was decided during the most recent general meeting of the DFG. The election of Professor Benzing, who has been elected for a three-year term until 2028, is a significant step for the research community in Cologne.
Professor Benzing is not only director of the Clinic II for Internal Medicine at the University Hospital of Cologne, but also spokesman for the ZMMK research center, which is known for its excellent research in the field of molecular medicine. He also acts as co-speaker of the Cologne Cluster of Excellence for Aging Research CECAD and thus brings extensive experience to the committee.
Tasks and importance of the DFG Senate
In the Senate of the DFG, Professor Benzing will take the place for Clinical Medicine I. The DFG Senate is a central scientific body that makes decisions regarding research funding. The Senate consists of a total of 39 members, including the scientific members of the main committee, which makes strategic decisions for the DFG.
Of the six newly filled seats in the Senate:
- 1 Platz in den Geistes- und Sozialwissenschaften
- 2 Plätze in den Lebenswissenschaften
- 2 Plätze in den Naturwissenschaften
- 1 Platz in den Ingenieurwissenschaften
Six additional members were confirmed in office and are also taking on responsibilities within the Senate. The committee has a great influence on the research landscape in Germany by deciding on funding applications and setting strategic priorities.
International recognition and research priorities
Professor Benzing is considered a leading international scientist in the field of kidney diseases. His remarkable research achievements and the impact of his work have earned him numerous prizes and awards, including the prestigious Ernst Jung Prize for Medicine. He is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and holds honorary membership in various international scientific societies.
His involvement in the DFG Senate will not only support his own research, but also strengthen the scientific community in Cologne and beyond. The term of office officially begins on January 1, 2026. This represents a significant milestone in Professor Benzing's career and opens up new perspectives for clinical medicine and research in Germany.