The North-Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences is the first academy in Germany to adopt the arts into a class of its own.

The members of the academy are among the best in their fields - in NRW and beyond. The aim of this network is the free exchange of knowledge and ideas: an academic discourse at the highest level that transcends disciplinary boundaries. This creates new knowledge networks and impulses for the research and art of tomorrow. The North Rhine-Westphalian academy is the only scientific academy in Germany that is also dedicated to the arts. In 2008, an independent class was founded, which includes leading personalities from the arts. Members of the academy have an unerring eye for talent in science and art. This characterizes the Academy and makes it the ideal place to promote young talent. Programmes for young researchers and artists are becoming increasingly important. One example is the Young Academy, which has been greatly expanded in recent years.

The Young Academy brings together talented individuals from science and art. In various working groups, they address socially relevant issues and develop publications and lectures in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary projects. The fellows organize their own conferences, take part in class meetings, and establish contacts with the members. The academy thus creates a space for the free exchange of knowledge and ideas that has become rare in an institutional setting. Each member of the Young Academy receives an annual grant of 10,000 euros for up to four years. The Academy also subsidizes research trips, congress participation and other subject-related activities.