Friends of Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin e.V.
Albert-Einstein-Straße 15 - 12489 Berlin
The Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB) has been formed on January 1st, 2009, by the merger of the former Berliner Elektronenspeicherring-Gesellschaft für Synchrotronstrahlung (BESSY GmbH) and the Hahn-Meitner-Institut (HMI). The wide spread research activities of the new Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin include those at the large scale facilities BESSY II and BER II. Against this background, the Society of Friends and Sponsors of BESSY GmbH - founded 20 years ago - has decided to continue its non-profit activities after the merger, however, with the new name Freundeskreis Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin e.V. – Association of Friends of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin.
The purpose of the Association of Friends of Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin includes the support of the development of science and research, especially by the support of the scientific activities at BESSY II. The association is a link between HZB and the general public and it shall develop the cooperation between HZB, its friends and sponsors and other national and international institutions. It is dedicated to support the research activities of young scientists using synchrotron radiation as well as the participation of international research groups at BESSY II.
Main activities of the association include the annual bestowals of a dissertation prize, the Innovation-Award on Synchrotron Radiation and the organization of the BESSY-Forum in cooperation with HZB.
In memory of the former scientific director of BESSY, who died in September 1988, the association awards annually the Ernst-Eckhard-Koch-Prize. This prize is given for outstanding Ph.D. theses completed during the current or past year in the field of research with synchrotron radiation and performed at either BESSY II or HASYLAB (Hamburg) as the main places of activities of Ernst-Eckhard Koch.
Furthermore, the association bestows the Innovation-Award on Synchrotron Radiation since 2001, which is announced Europe wide for an outstanding technical achievement or experimental method that promises to extend the frontiers of research with synchrotron radiation.
All natural or juristic persons may become member of the association. The regular annual membership fee is determined by the general meeting and amounts to € 5,- for undergraduate and graduate students, € 25,- for other natural persons and as a rule € 150,- for juristic persons. However, the amount of the fee is left to free estimation of the members. Voluntary upgrading is welcomed. Fees and donations are enjoying tax privileges.
In its work the association depends on the fees of its members and on donations. Donations can also be addressed with a specific purpose, such as "Ernst-Eckhard-Koch-Prize" (Account-No.: 414 44 40 at the Deutsche Bank AG, Filial Berlin, BLZ 100 700 00).
If somebody else feels associated with Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and its circle of friends we kindly ask him to support our activities by becoming a member.
The Board of the Association
