The Scientific Council is an organ of the Foundation Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum. It advises the Board of Trustees and the Management Board in all relevant scientific matters. In a number of important matters, decisions of the Management Board require prior consent of the Scientific Council. These include, in particular:

Research programs and areas, appointment of professors, business plans, development and investment programs, results control, collaboration with universities and other research facilities, promotion of the flow of scientific information.

The Scientific Council consists of the coordinators of the Research Programs and an equal number of elected representatives of the staff scientists. As a rule, the Council convenes once a month; its term of office is three years. Expert committees and a permanent secretariat support the work of the Scientific Council.