DFG celebrates 50 years CRC

This year the concept of Collaborative Research Centres (CRCs) turns 50 and more than 1000 CRCs have been funded by the DFG since the beginning in 1968. Good reason to celebrate!

On schedule with “Thanksgiving”, the DFG invited one representative of each of the 269 CRCs currently funded. The ground floor of the former ballroom and concert hall “La Redoute” in Bonn Bad-Godesberg was solemnly decorated and well packed. After DFG president Prof. Peter Strohschneider warmly welcomed his guests and honored the work of the DFG and all CRCs, his Austrian counterpart Prof. Klement Tockner congratulated and wished the DFG energy “for the next 1000 CRCs”. Prof. Wolfgang Leininger highlighted the diversity and excellence of German CRCs. Already 2 Nobel laureates were promoted within CRC initiatives. In a movie, the meaning of CRCs for research, politics and public was explained from different perspectives. Before the delicious buffet was opened, cabaret artist Vince Ebert raised some funny aspects of science, data management and computer automatization. He called on the audience to change perspective from time to time. For him, the main differences between computers and humans are: We can really understand things; we have fantasy and a sense of humor. A good impulse for subsequent conversations, discussions, potential collaborations and another 50 years with CRCs!

See also: http://www.dfg.de/dfg_magazin/querschnitt/18_jubilaeum_50_jahre_sfb/index.html

Watch the anniversary movie (German): www.youtube.com/watch