The Board of Trustees ensures the scientific independence of the institutes abroad. To support the Foundation-wide, non-scientific cooperation, it sets up permanent working groups (Arbeitskreis, AK) and - with clear objectives - temporary working groups (Arbeitsgruppe, AG). The AKs and AGs are indispensable platforms for non-scientific exchange. They bring together the expertise of all sites and use it to develop best-practice solutions for individual issues, but also for Foundation-wide issues. The topics arise both from day-to-day operations and the needs of the institutes as well as from general strategic requirements formulated in particular by the Foundation Board and the Assembly of Directors. The assessments, opinions and recommendations are of crucial importance for the international connectivity of the institutes and for the strategic development of the Foundation.

The MWS currently maintains the following working groups and task forces:

• AK Libraries
• AK Digital Humanities
• AK IT
• AK Public Relations
• AG Career Paths
• AG Sustainability