Early human evolution in Southeast Asia – the Foundation is reinforcing international alliances with a new research project
Ottmar Kullmer
Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt/M
© Ottmar Kullmer_Sven Tränkner
Senckenberg Society for Nature Research
Since 2018, the Foundation has been funding research into the biocultural evolution of Homo sapiens in Southeast Asia together with the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research and further foundations. The funding activities are aimed at scientific projects of young researchers active in the fields of paleoanthropology, prehistory, and early history, who are often at a disadvantage compared with those from the dominant regions of Europe and North America in the competition for international funding. Another focus of this funding project, which is scheduled to run for a period of up to three years, is on intensifying international cooperation between academic institutions. The call for proposals is therefore directed in particular toward young scientists from Southeast Asia in their postdoc phase, in order to reinforce their scientific work in cooperation with the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research with a view to gaining knowledge regarding the biocultural evolution of humans.
A new consortium of non-profit foundations is now envisaged for the period from 2026 to 2028, involving the Gerda Henkel Foundation, the Werner Reimers Foundation, the Daimler and Benz Foundation, and the Senckenberg Society. Along with traditional funding for individuals, for the first time material funds will now also become available that can be flexibly used for the exploration of potential sites in Southeast Asia.
Cooperating foundation:
- Prof. Dr. Ottmar Kullmer, Head of the Paleoanthropology Division, Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Frankfurt