in the version last amended on April 27, 2013, and approved by
the Ministry of Science, Research, and Art of Baden-Württemberg on July 31, 2013.
§ 1 Status and Mission
- The Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, originating from the Heinrich Lanz Foundation, is a public-law corporation of scholars with the sole purpose of selflessly promoting science and research.
- The Academy is the Academy of the State of Baden-Württemberg and is based in Heidelberg.
- The foundation day of the Academy is May 22, 1909.
- The Academy is under the legal supervision of the Ministry of Science, Research, and Art, which provides it with special protection and care.
§ 2 Structure and Management
- The Academy is divided into two equal classes: a Mathematical-Natural Sciences Class and a Philosophical-Historical Class.
- Both classes together form the Plenum, which decides on all joint tasks.
- The President chairs the meetings of the Plenum, while the class secretary chairs the meetings of the classes.
§ 3 Members of the Academy
The Academy includes full members, corresponding members, honorary members, and fellows.
§ 4 Full Members
- Full members can only be scholars who have their place of work in Baden-Württemberg and commit to actively participating in the activities of the Academy. They take part in the scientific activities of the Academy. The obligation to participate ends at the age of 65.
- The maximum number of full members is 100, with 50 in each class. When a full member reaches the age of 65, they are no longer counted in this maximum number. If a full member is unable to fulfill their duties due to relocation of their workplace or other reasons, they transition to the rank of corresponding members. Should such a member later be able to fulfill their duties again, especially due to moving back, they regain the rights and duties of a full member but are not counted in the maximum number of full members.
- In cases of doubt, the class to which the member belongs decides whether a member, in accordance with paragraph 2, sentences 3 and 4, has transitioned to the rank of corresponding members or has re-entered the rights and duties of a full member.
§ 5 Corresponding Members
- Up to 100 esteemed scholars can become corresponding members, with up to 50 in each class.
- In particularly justified cases, the Plenum can grant a corresponding member the rights of a full member.
§ 6 Honorary Members
Honorary members can be men and women who have excellently promoted scientific research or who have rendered special services to the Academy. The number of honorary members should not exceed six.
§ 7 Fellows
Young scientists can be appointed as fellows of the Academy for a duration of five years.
§ 8 Election and Exclusion of Members
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The Academy elects its full and corresponding members, as well as its honorary members, by a two-thirds majority in the procedure specified by the rules of procedure. Membership begins with the acceptance of the election. The execution of the elections must be reported to the Ministry of Science, Research, and Art of the State of Baden-Württemberg.
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A member can be excluded by the Plenum with a two-thirds majority for behavior that is grossly detrimental to the Academy. This decision must be preceded by a preliminary discussion in a previous Plenum meeting. The member whose exclusion is being considered must be heard in the Plenum. However, the member does not participate in the Plenum meeting where the preliminary discussion or the decision on the exclusion takes place. All full members must be invited in writing to these meetings, and the member concerned must be named in the invitation.
- Any member is free to withdraw from the Academy by submitting a written declaration.
- Paragraphs 2 and 3 apply correspondingly to fellows.
§ 9 Board of the Academy
- The Board consists of the President and the secretaries of the classes. It leads the Academy.
- The Board is supported in the performance of its duties by a managing director. The managing director is responsible for the budget. Further details are regulated by the rules of procedure.
§ 10 Election of the Board
- The President is elected by the Plenum for three years, and the class secretaries are elected by the classes for two years from among the full members. A single re-election is permissible.
- The classes elect a class secretary and a deputy, who represents the secretary in case of their absence.
- In the event of the President's absence, they are represented by the class secretary who has been with the Academy the longest; in this case, the deputy takes the place of the secretary on the Board.
§ 11 Annual Celebration of the Academy
In memory of the foundation, an annual ceremonial session takes place in May, during which the President provides an overview of the past fiscal year, honors deceased members of the Academy, and a member of the Academy delivers a scientific lecture.
§ 12 Attendance of Meetings
- The full members of the Academy regularly gather for the meetings of their class and the Plenum. They can participate in the scientific part of the meetings of the other class.
- Corresponding members can participate in all meetings of their class and the Plenum, as well as the scientific part of the meetings of the other class.
- Honorary members are invited to all scientific events of the Academy.
- Fellows can participate in the scientific meetings of the Academy.
§ 13 Publications of the Academy
The Academy publishes writings in which scientific contributions authored or submitted by its members are published. Further details are regulated by the rules of procedure.
§ 14 Budget Plan
- The budget plan is to be prepared by the Board and approved by the Plenum of the Academy.
- After the end of the fiscal year, the Board must report to the Plenum on the Academy's income and expenses for the completed fiscal year.
- An audit committee of the Academy must review the annual financial statement. It may enlist the help of an auditor or another expert. The Plenum receives the report of the audit committee and decides on the discharge of the Board.
- Each class elects two members and their deputies for the audit committee for a term of three years. Those who are part of the Board cannot be members of the audit committee.
§ 15 Rules of Procedure
The Plenum adopts the rules of procedure.
§ 16 Elections and Resolutions
- The quorum is regulated by the rules of procedure.
- Unless otherwise stipulated in these statutes, elections are decided by an absolute majority and resolutions by a simple majority of the attending full members.
§ 17 Changes of the Statutes
- Changes to these statutes can be decided by the Plenum in the presence of two-thirds of the full members and only with a 2/3 majority of those present. If the required minimum number of members is not present, the amendment can be decided by a 2/3 majority of those present in the next Plenum.
- Changes to the statutes are subject to the approval of the Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts of the State of Baden-Württemberg.
§ 18 Dissolution of the Academy
In the event of the dissolution or abolition of the Academy, or if its previous purposes cease to exist, its assets, as well as those of its affiliated non-independent foundations, may only be used for scientific research purposes. Decisions regarding the use of assets upon the dissolution of the Academy, as well as decisions on amendments to the statutes that affect the purposes of the Academy and the use of its assets, must be communicated to the responsible tax office before they come into effect.