Major instrumentation and core facilities
Major research instrumentation are investment projects with a volume of more than 200,000 euros, whose necessity is based on the commitment to research and which is characterized by special scientific quality and supraregional importance. There are different programs for the realization of a major instrumentation acquisition. This can be the purchase, but also the development and construction of a new innovative major instrumentation. Furthermore, financial support can be provided for the establishment of core facilities.
Funding formats in comparison
Major research instrumentation is the sum of all instrumentation parts (including equipment) that form a functional unit. The main instrumentation and the equipment should be in an appropriate relation to each other. Major instrumentation that are available to several research groups or fields and are used in research can also be part of the main equipment – in contradiction to the usual regulations regarding third-party funded research.
Funding formats for the development of new instruments for fundamental research
- Funding is provided for the development and construction of completely new types of instruments in fundamental research that have an interdisciplinary focus.
- These can be, for example, new measuring, production, or processing methods.
- These new technologies are to be made accessible for fundamental research through application-suitable demonstrators.
Funding formats for the establishment of a core facility
- Research infrastructures play an important role for current and future research activities. Here, access to sophisticated instrumentation technologies is of essential importance.
- The common use in core facilities ensures an effective use of the instrumentation and a good scientific service.
- The DFG funds the operation and management of core facilities.
- The aim is to improve the user experience and thus facilitate access to instrumentation infrastructures.
- The core facilities are usually funded with 150,000 euros annually for 5 years.
ATTENTION: Major instrumentation is not funded here.