The Board of Trustees advises the Board on the fundamental affairs of the Forum. Its members are representatives of the most important sponsors and of institutions that are of particular importance for the permanent work of the Forum (statutory members) and represent the federal diversity of transregional research in Germany as well as the international character of the tasks (elected members).

The Board of Trustees receives the annual report, decides on the adoption of the annual financial statement, the economic plan, the discharge of the Board, and nominates candidates for the Board and the Managing Director.