In accordance with the DFG Rules of Procedure for Dealing with Scientific Misconduct (VerfOwF), this subcommittee of the Joint Committee conducts inquiries into allegations of scientific misconduct on the part of applicants, funding recipients, individuals with a high level of scientific/academic responsibility in connection with funding proposals submitted by higher education institutions or non-university research institutions, as well as reviewers and members of DFG committees participating in review and decision-making processes.

The Committee is chaired by the Secretary General and is made up of eight scientific members representing the fields of humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, life sciences and engineering sciences. 

The Committee deliberates orally in a closed session; the researcher accused of misconduct is given the opportunity to make a statement in an appropriate manner. The Committee examines whether scientific misconduct has occurred by freely assessing the evidence. 

If the majority of the Committee considers misconduct to be sufficiently proven and believes action is necessary, it submits the result of its investigation to the Joint Committee with a proposal for a decision. Depending on the nature and severity of the misconduct, the Joint Committee may decide, among other things, to issue a written reprimand, to exclude applicants from DFG funding eligibility for a number of years, to withdraw funding decisions or to exclude individuals from DFG bodies and committees.

• Members of the Committee