For several years there have also been platforms in Germany that organise crowdfunding based on American role models. One such platform is Sciencestarter, which according to its operators is the first German-language crowdfunding community for scienctists under the umbrella of the Startnext Network.

Sciencestarter is open to all those wanting to implement projects in the field of science, research and science communication. Sciencestarter was launched in November 2012 and is a project of the Berlin non-profit organization "Science in Dialogue". Information about members and partners can be accessed here.

According to the guidelines, a project must include a methodical search for new and generally applicable insights, be conducted in accordance with scientific principles and be verifiable and reproducible.

Projects that are required to be evaluated by an ethics commission or animal experiment commission cannot qualify for funding. Projects that investigate replacement methods for animal experiment thus fulfil the criteria on at least that count.

However, it must be taken into account that the research to be funded is disclosed in advance, and that crowdfunding is a democratic financing option, with the investors having a say as to which applicant they want to support. The use of Sciencestarter is free of charge.

Of course, it is not only possible to apply for project funding, but also to provide funding.

Source: http://www.sciencestarter.de/home.html

The guidelines can be found here: http://www.sciencestarter.de/Infos/Guidelines.html