Labor Economics: DHL Group restructures foundation work – research institute closes

February 24, 2025, 6:45 p.m.

The Research Institute for the Future of Work in Bonn is considered a renowned scientific institution in the field of labor economics. But the project will expire at the end of 2025.

The Research Institute for the Future of Work (IZA), which is funded by the Deutsche Post Foundation, is ceasing operations at the end of the current year. The foundation announced this on Monday . The IZA is a renowned scientific network for labor economics , which brings together 2,000 scientists from more than 60 countries.

The end of the IZA comes because the postal parent company DHL is restructuring its foundation activities. The Deutsche Post Foundation (DPS) will become the Global Sustainability Foundation. It will focus on climate, nature and sustainability issues and specifically support external projects and organizations.

The foundation says that there will be agreements with permanent employees at the Bonn-based IZA to avoid redundancies as far as possible. It recognizes "the extraordinary commitment of all scientists and employees who have shaped the IZA over decades." Their work has "significantly advanced research and international networking in the field of labor economics" and "provided valuable impetus for labor market and social policy debates worldwide."