Emerging Fields Initiative › Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy

From small beginnings to excellence in research

FAU is one of Germany’s leading research universities and represents a diverse range of outstanding academic approaches and perspectives. A full-spectrum university, it brings all disciplines together, which means FAU offers perfect conditions for innovative ideas which often span different fields of research.

FAU set up the Emerging Fields Initiative (EFI) in 2010 to provide funding at an early stage for high-risk interdisciplinary collaborative research projects. As an internal funding programme, ETI promotes the dialogue between researchers, stimulates strategic alliances with important partners and increases the attractiveness of FAU for excellent researchers from all over the world.

A large number of highly innovative research projects and promising research consortia have been set up at FAU since ETI was implemented. During the next step from 2021, EFI will support research networks with an expert research base on their journey to excellence. This strategic project funding allows FAU to strengthen its research profile as a top university. Our partner in this venture is the STAEDTLER Foundation, which is supporting the initiative with a matching funds model. A strict selection process ensures the quality of the research projects.