# German Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies > Government think tank **Wikidata**: [Q93966304](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q93966304) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Institute_for_Defence_and_Strategic_Studies) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/german-institute-for-defence-and-strategic-studies ## Summary The German Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies (GIDS) is a government think tank and research institute based in Hamburg, Germany. Founded in 2018 by Ursula von der Leyen, the organization operates under the ownership of the Federal Ministry of Defence of Germany to conduct dedicated research and strategic analysis. ## Key Facts - **Official Name:** German Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies - **Short Name/Aliases:** GIDS - **Organization Type:** Research Institute, Government Think Tank - **Founding Date:** June 30, 2018 - **Founder:** Ursula von der Leyen - **Owner:** Federal Ministry of Defence of Germany - **Headquarters Location:** Hamburg, Germany - **Postal Code:** 22587 - **Coordinates:** 53.562671° N, 9.830454° E - **Website:** https://gids-hamburg.de/ (Primary language: German) - **Chairperson History:** Matthias Rogg (served from June 30, 2018 – 2021); Gary Schaal - **Wikipedia Presence:** Available in 2 languages (German and English) - **Logo Source:** Wikimedia Commons (Logo_German_Institute_for_Defence_and_Strategic_Studies.png) ## FAQs ### Q: What type of organization is the German Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies? A: GIDS is classified as a research institute and a government think tank. As a research institute, its primary purpose is to conduct systematic investigation to generate new knowledge, distinct from universities that combine research with teaching. ### Q: Who owns and oversees the GIDS? A: The institute is owned by the Federal Ministry of Defence of Germany. It was established specifically to serve the research and strategic study needs of the government. ### Q: When and where was the GIDS founded? A: The institute was founded on June 30, 2018, in Hamburg, Germany. Its headquarters remain in Hamburg, specifically located in the 22587 postal code area. ### Q: Who were the key figures in the establishment and leadership of GIDS? A: The institute was founded by Ursula von der Leyen. Its initial leadership included Matthias Rogg as chairperson (starting June 30, 2018, and ending in 2021), followed by Gary Schaal. ## Why It Matters The German Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies serves as a critical node in the landscape of knowledge-producing institutions within Germany. Unlike universities that must balance their resources between teaching and research, GIDS functions as a dedicated engine of discovery, allowing its researchers to concentrate purely on investigation relevant to defence and strategy. By operating as a government think tank under the Federal Ministry of Defence, it ensures that strategic policy is supported by rigorous, systematic inquiry rather than ad-hoc analysis. Its existence represents a commitment to addressing complex security challenges through dedicated infrastructure, free from the commercial pressures of corporate research or the divided attention of academic faculties. ## Notable For - **Government Affiliation:** It is a specialized research organization directly owned by the Federal Ministry of Defence of Germany. - **Founding Leadership:** Established by Ursula von der Leyen, marking a significant development in German defence infrastructure during her tenure. - **Dedicated Research Mandate:** Differentiated from general scientific societies or universities by its specific focus on defence and strategic studies without teaching obligations. - **Strategic Location:** Headquartered in Hamburg, a major German hub, with precise geographic coordinates identifying its specific location in the 22587 postal district. - **Organizational Classification:** Recognized formally as a "research institute" (class), a distinction that places it among organizations existing specifically to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation. ## Body ### Organizational Classification and Definition The German Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies (GIDS) is an entity classified fundamentally as a **research institute**. In the context of library cataloging and knowledge systems, a research institute is defined as an organization whose primary purpose is to conduct research. Unlike universities, which divide their focus between teaching and degree-granting, or companies that pursue research for commercial ends, GIDS exists specifically to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation. The institute is distinguished from other related entities such as scientific societies (which are membership-based) and think tanks (which generally focus on policy influence). However, GIDS specifically bridges the gap as a **government think tank**, utilizing the research institute structure to support federal defence objectives. ### Founding and Governance The institute was officially established on **June 30, 2018**. The founding was initiated by **Ursula von der Leyen**, a high-profile figure in German politics. The organization is wholly **owned by the Federal Ministry of Defence of Germany**, ensuring its research agenda aligns with national strategic interests. **Leadership Structure:** The governance of the institute includes a chairperson role. - **Matthias Rogg** served as the inaugural chairperson, holding the position from the date of inception (June 30, 2018) until 2021. - **Gary Schaal** is also listed as a key figure in the chairperson role. ### Headquarters and Location GIDS is geographically situated in **Hamburg, Germany**. The specific location data provided for the headquarters includes: - **City:** Hamburg - **State/Region:** Hamburg - **Country:** Germany - **Postal Code:** 22587 - **Coordinates:** 53.562671° N, 9.830454° E This location serves as both its headquarters and its location of formation. ### Digital Presence and Identification The institute maintains a digital presence primarily in the German language. - **Website:** The official domain is `https://gids-hamburg.de/`. - **Wikidata and Wikipedia:** The entity has a presence on Wikidata and is featured in 2 Wikipedia language editions (German and English). - **Logo:** The organization's visual identity is captured in its official logo, accessible via Wikimedia Commons. ### Distinctions from Similar Organizations As a research institute, GIDS operates differently from "research centers," which are often sub-units of larger organizations. It is a standalone operational entity conducting hands-on investigation. While the broader classification of "research institute" covers all academic disciplines, GIDS applies this rigorous approach specifically to the domain of defence and strategic studies, serving the specific policy and strategic needs of the German government.