AbstractThe Max-Planck-Society is facing financial difficulty because of budget stagnation. Significant efforts have been required to uphold the research quality. Nevertheless, since 1984, five new institutions have been opened and two have been expanded. The appointment of head scientists at some institutes has led to future-oriented thematic changes in the research priorities of those institutes. Equipment modernisation is the next challenge after budget approval: then the Society can concentrate more on the substance of its research policies.