We’re delighted to share some exciting news from our HortiBonn team: Prof. Dr. Eike Luedeling, Head of INRES - Horticultural Sciences, has been elected as the new Chairman of ATSAF e.V. – the Council for Tropical and Subtropical Agricultural Research.
The appointment was confirmed during 2025 ATSAF’s annual meeting in Bonn (Photo), marking a proud moment for HortiBonn.
ATSAF - Connecting Germany with the world
ATSAF is Germany’s leading network for development-oriented agricultural and natural resource research in tropical and subtropical regions.
It unites around 300 members from universities, research institutes, and development organizations, and serves as Germany’s bridge to the CGIAR network, the world’s largest agricultural research partnership for food security, climate resilience and sustainable resource use. Through this link, ATSAF contributes German expertise to global research efforts and supports young scientists in launching international careers.
ATSAF’s flagship programs: Academy and Tropentag
Over the past four years, ATSAF has run the ATSAF Academy, which offered scholarships, mentoring and training for doctoral researchers, and funded Junior Scientist Tandems that linked students from German universities with peers from OECD-Development Assistance Committee partner countries in CGIAR++ research projects, preparing the next generation of scientists to tackle global challenges. In a constructive collaboration between the outgoing and incoming ATSAF Steering Committee, the CGIAR center CIFOR-ICRAF, BMZ, GIZ and the CGIAR Capacity Sharing Accelerator, the next phase of this initiative is currently being prepared. A new call for scholarship applications will be launched shortly.
ATSAF also co-organizes Tropentag, an annual conference on development-oriented agricultural research that brings together researchers, students and practitioners from around the world to share knowledge on sustainable agriculture, food security, natural resource management and rural development, and offers early-career scientists a valuable platform to present their work, connect with international experts and explore career opportunities.
New leadership at ATSAF
For many years, Prof. Folkard Asch (University of Hohenheim) has led ATSAF as Chairman, shaping it into a vibrant hub for international agricultural and ecosystem research and creating valuable opportunities for young scientists.
Now, Prof. Luedeling has taken over the chairmanship, building on this strong foundation. He brings a vision of impact-oriented research that links scientific evidence closely with decision-making, policy and practice, while expanding global partnerships and fostering the next generation of researchers. Prof. Dr. Sandra Schmöckel from the University of Hohenheim and Prof. Dr. Stefan Sieber from the Center for Landscape Research (ZALF) will also serve on ATSAF’s three-person Steering Committee.
We look forward to seeing how their leadership will shape the future of ATSAF.
If you are passionate about development-oriented agricultural research, ATSAF is a great community to join.
- Become a member and connect with leading experts,
- Apply to the ATSAF Academy for scholarships or internships, and
- Join the vibrant discussions at Tropentag.
