The EAF was founded in 1996 by Prof. Dr. Barbara Schaeffer-Hegel, emerita professor of the Technische Universität Berlin, together with Dr. Helga Lukoschat and a number of like-minded women and men.  
Together with the Technische Universität Berlin the EAF founded in 2001 the Femtec. GmbH, an academiac career centre for advancement of women in engineering and natural sciences.  The Femtec. GmbH cooperates with leading technology companies and technical universities in a nationwide unique network.
The EAF is an independent non-profit organisation. All funds are used responsible and for the limited purpose of non- profit. Funds of public authorities (State, Federation and European Union) are prevalent raised for promoting young female talents and for research projects. Other resources are generated through projects with business companies. Donations and aid-money, among others from the Friends of the EAF, inure to the benefit of the political activities of the EAF and constitute a further component of our funding.