The Military History Research Institute is the central federal institution in Germany for all questions about German military history. The basis for coping with future challenges is empirical, archive-based research in accordance with the accepted rules and standards of general historiography. The MGFA sees itself as a part of the research community of historians. It is a member of the network of historical research institutions of the Federal Republic of Germany outside universities. The institute fosters the cooperation with a large number of research institutes in Germany and abroad and contributes to topical debates among experts in military history. It is firmly anchored in original research, which is of decisive importance to the successful performance of its new tasks.