History of BGR
BGR was established in 1958 under the name Bundesanstalt für Bodenforschung (Federal Institute for Soil Research). In 1975, it was renamed the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR).
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Scientific reappraisal of history
The history of BGR and its predecessor institutions during the Nazi era and the post-war period was part of a four-year research project. An independent team of historians investigated the past of three departmental research institutions of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, which included BGR, the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) and the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB).
The results of the scientific historical review were presented at an event at the ministry in March 2025. Representatives of the ministry, the departmental research institutions and the project team also discussed the significance of the research results for the current and future work of the institutions and for society.
From the BGR’s perspective, this research project provides, for the first time, a comprehensive insight into the darkest chapter in the history of the BGR and its predecessor institutions. A critical examination of the past by impartial academics lays the groundwork for an unbiased understanding of the historical context. It becomes clear that scientific achievement and human action are inseparable. The foundation of academic freedom is the free and democratic constitutional order. It is the responsibility of us all to work to ensure its continued existence.
The most important project results have been summarised in a brochure (in German only): Summary of the research findings
In addition, the first three of a total of five volumes containing detailed findings on the history of the BGR and its predecessor institutions have now been published online by Bielefeld University Press:
- Imperiale Geognostik und Wissenschaftskolonialismus (Imperial Geognostics and Scientific Colonialism)
- Verwerfungen der NS-Vergangenheit (The Fallout from the Nazi Past)
- Kampf um die Lithosphäre (The Battle for the Lithosphere)
The remaining two volumes will be published shortly.
