The ZEW Sponsors' Association for Science and Practice (Registered Society) in Mannheim has targeted the dialogue between science and practice for mutual benefit since its foundation in 1993. Representatives from the economy, particularly from the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region, have formed the non-profit association to support ZEW with help and advice. The ZEW Sponsors' Association promotes practice-relevant research projects and is involved at the institute's events like "Perspectives for Economic Policy". Prof. Dr. Claudia Buch, Dr. Angela Merkel, Prof. Dr. Johanna Wanka, Prof. James J. Heckman, PhD, Timotheus Höttges, Karl Kardinal Lehmann, Carlos Moedas, Günter H. Oettinger, Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble, Prof. Dr. Christoph M. Schmidt, Dr. Rolf Martin Schmitz, Prof. Dr. Hans-Werner Sinn, Jean-Claude Trichet and others gave speeches at these ZEW events.
Moreover, the ZEW Sponsors' Association is a forum where companies and researchers from various fields can discuss vital economic and political issues. This dialogue proved to be productive for both sides. It provides companies with scientifically sound answers to diverse topics and provides science with the necessary reference to practice. The members of the ZEW Sponsors' Association for Science and Practice (Registered Society) regularly receive the most important information about ZEW and are invited to all of the institute's major events.