Bär: new beacons of scientific excellence in Germany
Research Minister Dorothee Bär wants the two new centres for chemistry and astrophysics to set international standards.
Berlin (d.de) – Together with the federal states of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, Germany’s Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space is establishing two new research centres: the Center for the Transformation of Chemistry (CTC) and the German Centre for Astrophysics (DZA). The CTC, based in Delitzsch (Saxony) and Merseburg (Saxony-Anhalt), aims to develop a sustainable circular economy in the chemical sector, supplying Germany and the EU with key chemical products. The DZA is to be located in Görlitz (Saxony) and will process vast data streams generated by major telescopes, laying the groundwork for new astronomical instruments and constructing a unique underground laboratory. It will also coordinate Germany’s involvement in major international projects such as the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO), the world’s largest radio telescope.
“The establishment of these two new research centres will provide a lasting boost to Germany as a hub of scientific excellence. Together with the states of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, we will set new international benchmarks in chemistry and astrophysics,” said Research Minister Dorothee Bär.
Up to 2.2 billion euros in federal structural funding will be available for the new centres through to 2038, supplemented with contributions from the participating federal states.
