The German Research Foundation, the DFG, has its funding applications assessed by Fachkollegien, review boards for each field. Researchers elect the members for four years. As a rule, voters must hold a doctorate and work in research at an eligible institution. In the 2023 election about 150,000 researchers were eligible and 54,068 voted. There were 1,631 candidates for 649 seats on 49 boards.