About us

Advancing high-quality research through expert management and support

ESF, Your Partner in Science

ESF (European Science Foundation) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation committed to advancing high-quality research across Europe and beyond since 1974. With established records in all disciplines, ESF offers expert, independent management and support throughout the entire research lifecycle—from conception and implementation to evaluation, sustainability, and impact.

With a dynamic, highly qualified international team, ESF is a key player in providing independent support to research endeavours, ensuring that scientific networks and organisations have the resources they need to focus on impactful research and collaboration.

ESF’s Expertise

Find out more about our different areas of expertise!

Communication and Dissemination

Data protection

Diversity and Inclusion

Research Ethics

Stakeholder engagement

Institutional Assessment

Discover our Lines of Action

With expertise across all disciplines, ESF engages in four lines of action:

Our Values

At ESF, we place a strong emphasis on integrity, partnership, excellence, and inclusivity. Guided by these core values, we maintain a politically neutral and globally oriented approach in everything we do, shaping how we work and how we engage with partners and stakeholders.

Integrity

We maintain trust in our work by providing accurate and specific information about our procedures, decisions and actions. This also includes managing potential conflicts of interest and maintaining transparency about income and affiliations. As such, integrity underpins every aspect of what we do.

Partnership

We aim to build long-term partnerships, advancing science through effective and sustainable collaborations. Since our foundation in 1974, we build trusted relations and connect stakeholders through our growing network.

Excellence

Our expert staff and validated processes ensure excellent scientific support and management. We integrate scientific methods in our work and base our decisions on data-driven insights. As such, we enable excellent scientific results.

Inclusivity

Our approach aligns with principles of Responsible and Open Science, which encourage societal collaboration in research and innovation. By including voices from industry, research, policy, and civil society, we make impacts which involve and benefit diverse societal groups.

Gender Equality

Since 2021, ESF has reinforced commitment to an inclusive, diverse, and innovative culture in Research and Innovation through the development and implementation of a Gender Equality Plan (GEP).

Gender Equality Plan

Get to know our team

Become a member