About

Modern science and technical innovation thrive from international cooperation. Today this is more important than ever, and advances in science increasingly are made by scientists working across borders. With the Transatlantic Frontiers of Chemistry Symposia, the ACS, the GDCh and the RSC are directly promoting further international collaboration and exchange. Together, the societies have aimed to create a forum for the rising generation of top scientists in Europe and the United States to interact and share ideas. Nearly 400 exceptional young scientists have participated in Frontiers of Chemistry since 2000. In addition to a vigorous and exciting exchange of ideas, previous symposia have produced new research collaborations, student exchanges and joint publications. By convening the future leaders of the discipline from countries with advanced chemistry enterprises, Transatlantic Frontiers of Chemistry is sure to build on an established tradition of excellence.

History

The first German-American Frontiers in Chemistry (GAFOC) Symposium took place in Germany in 2000. It was followed by two more successful symposia, held in New Hampshire, US in August 2002 and Germany in July 2004. The symposia provided an opportunity for 40 early career faculty-rank US chemists to meet with 40 of their German counterparts to discuss the latest developments in the chemical sciences. 

GAFOC was set up as a joint venture between the ACS and GDCh, after the multidisciplinary German-American Frontiers of Science (GAFOS) symposia organized by the former German-American Academic Council (GAAC) and by the Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung pointed to a need for greater interactions in individual disciplines. 

The next meeting in this series, held in August 2006, was renamed the Transatlantic Frontiers of Chemistry Symposium, to reflect the involvement of the RSC in the event. Jim Feast, RSC President comments, 'I am delighted that the ACS and GDCh chose to invite us to join with them. This meeting is a great opportunity to expand our networking opportunities and to support virtuous activities.'