Forschungsgemeinschaft-Schwerpunktprogramm Theoretische Chemie

In 1966, the DFG decided to initiate a special priority program for theoretical chemistry for the next 5 years in order to support this field on a broad basis.The intention was to support primarily new ideas and the development of methods in theoretical chemistry and to a lesser extent computations. 

It advises parliaments and governments on scientific matters and fosters relations between academic research and the private sector as well as research abroad. It devotes particular attention to the education and promotion of young scientists. To accomplish this mission, the DFG receives funds from the federal government and from the states (Lander) on a 50 50 basis for regular programs. (For special programs, the formula for funding is somewhat different, i.e., 60 40.) The total amount in the year 2000 was around 2000 million DM. 

Looking back, this theoretical chemistry program turned out to be one of the most successful priority programs of the DFG. It was adopted immediately and welcome to all researchers in the field. In the first year, there were 29 project proposals, 13 of which were applications to participate in summer schools. The total budget in this first year was 350,000 DM, that is, 0.64% 

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