History

Establishment of the NAR

The Network for Research on Aging (NAR) has been dedicated to interdisciplinary aging research since its founding in 2006 under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Konrad Beyreuther. The network aims to generate scientific insights that deepen the understanding of the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging. With an inaugural event in the summer of 2007, NAR officially began its work and has since been connecting researchers from various disciplines to collaboratively develop innovative solutions for the challenges of an aging society.

History of the DZFA

On September 30, 1995, the German Center for Research on Aging at the University of Heidelberg was jointly founded as a public law foundation of the State of Baden-Württemberg by the German government and the State of Baden-Württemberg. The Center officially started its work on March 20, 1996. Lack of financial support from the Federal Ministry forced the Center to close on 31 December 2005.

During the short history of the DZFA, the institution proved to be one of the smallest, but also one of the finest research institution in the country, displayed by a great amount of research funds and numerous publications. Originally the plan was to integrate 5 departments until 1997, starting with the the Department of Social and Economical Gerontology and the Department of Human Development. In the year 2000 the Department of Epidemiology was added. Under the guidance of this Department a young team of researchers established the connection to the molecular biology with the research of moleculare mechanism of the aging process in November of 2004. The planned Department of Rehabilitation was never realized because the State Ministry blocked any further expansion of the DZFA.