Contributing to Germany's appeal as a centre of science and research

The high-performance efficiency of Helmholtz research not only builds on programme-oriented funding, but also on the varied and complex scientific-technical infrastructure available in its Research Centres. Scientists and researchers from the Helmholtz Association develop and operate large-scale facilities of international significance, such as particle accelerators, synchrotron beams, neutron and ion sources, research vessels and aircraft. These facilities have a great appeal for the best researchers around the world as well as for young scientists. Each year, several thousand researchers from home and abroad use the large-scale facilities, some of which are the only ones of their kind. These not only act as the driving force of technological development but also serve to trigger the emergence of new disciplines.

Completely new research prospects are provided by two international forward-looking projects. These include XFEL, for example, an X-ray Free Electron Laser with which the chemical reactions taking place at extremely high spatial and temporal resolutions can be "filmed", and FAIR, the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research, which makes it possible to specifically produce antiprotons and exotic ions. The scientific-technical instrumentation is complemented by complex measurement and laboratory facilities and by technology and translational platforms. Skilled and qualified staff, supported by exemplary services, open up unique working and experimenting options for internal and external users alike. Operating facilities like these call for resources, expert knowledge and management skills which only a major research institution, like Helmholtz, can have at its disposal.

Scientific equipment of the kind that is available at the Helmholtz Centres can only be found at a few places and so is of outstanding importance to Germany's appeal as a centre of science and research. This is why the additional investments made available under the Pact for Research and Innovation flow via the research programmes and also into the establishment and expansion of large-scale facilities and infrastructure.