The purpose of the Fritz Thyssen Stiftung is the direct support of research and scholarship in universities and research institutes, primarily in Germany, with special emphasis on the support of young scholars. It also supports small academic conferences, provides stipends for young scholars who have completed a doctoral degree, finances several international stipends and exchange programmes, and supports, to a limited extent ,the publication of the results of projects which it has furthered. The Foundation welcomes the inclusion of foreign scholars in the projects that it supports, and organises academic conferences and lecture series.