The order Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts was founded in 1842 by the Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm IV. Federal President Theodor Heuss revived it in 1952. New members are co-opted by the order’s chapter at its meeting.
In 2020 the order had 40 German and 40 foreign members. After the election of September 2025 it had 36 German and 37 foreign members.