Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG)
Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e.V. (DPG) is the world's largest and oldest national physics society, serving over 60,000 members through conferences, publications, awards, schools, and public outreach, funded primarily by membership fees, events, and donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1845
- HeadquartersBad Honnef, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) does
Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) is the world's largest and oldest national physics society, founded in 1845 and headquartered in Bad Honnef, Germany, with a federal representation office in Berlin. Operating as a registered charitable association (eingetragener Verein, e.V.), DPG pursues no economic interests and instead focuses on advancing physics through knowledge exchange, networking, education, and policy advocacy. Its membership exceeds 60,000 individual physicists, students, teachers, industry professionals, and enthusiasts, organized via regional associations (e.g., Physikalische Gesellschaft zu Berlin, Regionalverband Bayern) and the jDPG (Young DPG) youth network.
DPG's core offerings span a diversified portfolio of publications, conferences, schools, awards, and outreach programs. The Physik Journal — published 11 times per year and distributed to all members via publishing partner Wiley-VCH — anchors the publication stack alongside Physikkonkret policy briefs and DPG-Verhandlungen conference proceedings. The flagship DPG-Frühjahrstagungen (Spring Meetings) and Herbsttagungen (Fall Meetings) draw thousands of physicists across all disciplines, while the Physikzentrum Bad Honnef conference center (under DPG trusteeship since 1986 with state of NRW support) hosts Bad Honnef Physics Schools, DPG Lehrerfortbildungen (teacher training), and the DPG Akademie. DPG administers more than a dozen prestigious awards including the Max-Planck-Medaille and Stern-Gerlach-Medaille, and runs youth competitions such as GYPT, Physik im Advent, and the DPG-Abiturpreis. Public outreach is delivered through the Welt der Physik website and the annual Highlights der Physik science festival.
DPG generates revenue through a recurring mix of annual membership fees (with reduced tiers for students, bachelor graduates, double-membership holders, and retirees), Physik Journal and other publication subscriptions, conference and event fees, Physikzentrum Bad Honnef bookings, and donations. The society is supported institutionally through partnerships with the University of Bonn, the state of NRW, and the PTB (housing its Berlin office), and holds equity in FIZ Karlsruhe and the Association of Europhysics Letters while operating a wholly-owned DPG-GmbH for commercial activities and serving as trustee of the Dr. Karl Mey Fellowship Foundation. As a non-profit, DPG does not publicly disclose financial results.
Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG)
- Legal name
- Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V.
- Website
- https://dpg-physik.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1845
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e.V. (DPG) is the world's largest and oldest national physics society, serving over 60,000 members through conferences, publications, awards, schools, and public outreach, funded primarily by membership fees, events, and donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Scientific Society (Physics)
- NAICS
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Scientific & Laboratory Reference (Chemistry, Biology, Physics; Methods & Protocols) (EDAGAGAG), STEM & Engineering Scholarly Publishing (EDAGAFAA)
Keywords
Where Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bad Honnef
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership fees: DPG generates revenue primarily through annual membership fees. The society offers standard and reduced membership fees for students, retired members, and those with double memberships.
- Publications and magazine subscriptions: DPG publishes the Physik Journal (member magazine) and other publications. The Physik Journal is published 11 times per year and sent to all members. The society also publishes conference proceedings, brochures, and special publications.
- Conference and event organization: DPG organizes DPG-Frühjahrstagungen (Spring Meetings), DPG-Herbsttagungen (Fall Meetings), and other conferences including the Physikzentrum Bad Honnef events.
- Donations: DPG accepts donations to support its charitable mission of promoting physics research and education.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Standard membership fee |
| Subscription | Annual | Reduced membership fees |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) is Germany's oldest and largest non-profit physics society, delivering a membership-based portfolio of services to physicists, students, teachers, and the public. Its core offerings include annual membership subscriptions, the Physik Journal member magazine, large annual physics conferences (Spring and Fall Meetings), the Physikzentrum Bad Honnef conference facility, specialized Bad Honnef Physics Schools, mentoring and academy programs, and a portfolio of prestigious physics awards.
Product overview
The Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft (DPG) operates as a non-profit professional society offering a diverse portfolio of physics-related products and services. The core offerings include the Physik Journal magazine, major conferences (Spring and Fall Meetings), and the Bad Honnef Physics Schools. DPG runs numerous awards spanning from the prestigious Max-Planck-Medaille for theoretical physics to the Stern-Gerlach-Medaille for experimental physics, plus the Abiturpreis for high school graduates and Lehrerpreis for educators. Educational programs include the DPG Akademie (seminars), Mentoring Programme, and youth competitions like GYPT. The society operates public outreach through Welt der Physik and the Highlights der Physik science festival. Facilities include the Physikzentrum Bad Honnef conference center and the Berlin representative office. Publications include Physikkonkret policy briefs and various scientific materials.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- DPG Membership Annual membership in the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft providing physicists, students, teachers, and enthusiasts with access to conferences, the Physik Journal, awards, networking, regional chapters, and policy advocacy. Reduced fees are available for students, bachelor graduates, double-membership holders, and retired members.
- Physik Journal Official member magazine of DPG, published 11 times per year with physics news, research updates, career information, job-market articles, and student statistics. Produced and distributed in cooperation with Wiley-VCH.
- DPG Spring Meetings (Frühjahrstagungen) Major annual physics conferences organized by DPG's professional divisions across multiple German locations, featuring presentations, posters, and networking across all physics disciplines.
- Bad Honnef Physics Schools Intensive scientific seminars and workshops held at the Physikzentrum Bad Honnef conference center, covering specialized physics topics for students and early-career researchers.
- DPG Mentoring Programme
Quantifiable outcome
- Hundreds of association activities organized every year through voluntary member engagement
Companies that use Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG)
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- State of Nordrhein-Westfalen (NRW)coreThe state of NRW provides funding and support for the Physikzentrum Bad Honnef, which has been in DPG's trusteeship since 1986 with state support.
- Dr. Karl Mey Fellowship FoundationcoreDPG serves as trustee of the Dr. Karl Mey Fellowship Foundation, which provides fellowships and support for physics research and education.
- DPG-GmbHcoreDPG is a shareholder of DPG-GmbH, a corporate entity associated with the society's commercial activities.
- University of BonncoreDPG operates the Physikzentrum Bad Honnef with support from the University of Bonn. The university provides academic support and collaboration for the conference center.
- Anna-von-Helmholtz-Bau / PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt)minorDPG's Berlin representation (Magnus-Haus Berlin) is housed in the Anna-von-Helmholtz-Bau of the PTB.
- European Physical Society (EPS)coreDPG maintains international memberships and collaborations including with the European Physical Society, representing German physics at the European level.
- Associated and partner societiescoreDPG maintains associations with other professional societies and double membership agreements with national and international organizations.
- Wiley-VCH GmbHcoreWiley-VCH GmbH handles the publishing, production, and distribution of the Physik Journal, DPG's official member magazine.
- Physikalische Gesellschaft zu Berlin (PGzB)coreRegional association of DPG in Berlin/Brandenburg, operating as a local chapter with its own activities and governance.
- Regionalverband BayerncoreRegional association of DPG in Bavaria, operating as a local chapter supporting physics professionals and enthusiasts in the region.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Polish Physical Society: Polish national physics society that co-presents the Marian Smoluchowski–Emil Warburg Prize with DPG. Operates the same member-society model in Poland with comparable scope of activities.
- Société Française de Physique (SFP): French national physics society, which jointly administers the Gentner-Kastler Prize with DPG. SFP has a near-identical operating model of membership, publications, conferences, and awards for French physicists.
- American Physical Society (APS): The largest US-based physics society, with a directly comparable membership, peer-reviewed journal portfolio, conferences, and awards model. APS is the most natural peer given similar mission, scale, and operating model to DPG.
- Physical Society of Japan (JPS): Japan's national physics society with an analogous membership, publications, and conferences model. JPS is a relevant peer given its similar scale of activities and comparable mission across academic, industry, and student segments.
- Institute of Physics (IOP): UK-based physics society co-presenting the Max Born Prize with DPG. IOP operates an analogous member-based, publishing-and-conferences model serving UK and Irish physicists, making it a directly comparable peer.
- European Physical Society (EPS): Pan-European physics umbrella society with overlapping member-society model. EPS works alongside DPG (DPG is a member) and is a directly comparable peer for international/European physics community engagement.
- Chinese Physical Society: China's national physics society, comparable in mission and operating model. Provides a peer reference for how large national physics societies are structured and operate in major research economies.
Broad incumbents
- Royal Society: Historic UK-based scientific society with a broader multidisciplinary scope covering all sciences. Royal Society is a broader incumbent peer for prestige, awards, and policy advocacy that crosses physics.
- American Chemical Society (ACS): Larger scientific society operating the same member-and-publishing model but in chemistry. ACS serves as a broader incumbent reference for scale, publishing economics, and member engagement strategies across disciplines.
- Optica (formerly OSA): International society for optics and photonics with overlapping physics community and conference interests. Optica is a broader incumbent peer that competes for members and prestige in adjacent physics disciplines.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) social profiles
Digital presenceDeutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG)
What does Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) do?
Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) is Germany's oldest and largest non-profit physics society, delivering a membership-based portfolio of services to physicists, students, teachers, and the public. Its core offerings include annual membership subscriptions, the Physik Journal member magazine, large annual physics conferences (Spring and Fall Meetings), the Physikzentrum Bad Honnef conference facility, specialized Bad Honnef Physics Schools, mentoring and academy programs, and a portfolio of prestigious physics awards.
Is Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) a public or private company?
Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) founded?
Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) was founded in 1845. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) based?
Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) is headquartered in Bad Honnef, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership fees are the primary driver. The others are publications and magazine subscriptions, conference and event organization and donations.
Who are Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG)'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Polish Physical Society, Société Française de Physique (SFP), American Physical Society (APS), Physical Society of Japan (JPS), Institute of Physics (IOP), European Physical Society (EPS) and Chinese Physical Society. Broad incumbents are Royal Society, American Chemical Society (ACS) and Optica (formerly OSA).
Does Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) have an API?
No public API is recorded for Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG).
What industry is Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) in?
Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG)'s product category is Professional Scientific Society (Physics). Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAI, Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations, with a secondary code of EDAGAGAG, Scientific & Laboratory Reference (Chemistry, Biology, Physics; Methods & Protocols). Its NAICS code is 54171 and its SIC code is 2741.