INtegrated TERahErtz sySTems enabling novel functionality is the priority program established by German Science Foundation (DFG) with 7.2 million euros budget in phase one to perform ground-breaking research on enabling terahertz technologies and sciences.

The vision of the INTEREST SPP is to establish a well-defined terahertz community by following a holistic ‘integration’ approach in a dedicated coordinated initiative. The theme ‘Integrated Terahertz Systems’ will enable unseen functionalities and applications in the field of terahertz science and technologies. To accomplish this aim, effective scientific coordination is essential. With this coordination proposal, we not only bring together experts in engineering, physical and natural sciences to invent ground-breaking THz technologies, but we further create synergies and cross-fertilize the activities to maximize the impact of the research programs on the national and international level. This is done by establishing a collaboration platform and database to share equipment, project results, and novel THz components within the consortium and outside the SPP. We will form mutual science groups within the SPP to further research exploratory system concepts and demonstrate innovative ideas beyond what used to be proposed by the individual partners. We will negotiate discounts with semiconductor foundries to free-up additional financial resources to fund such additional activities. We create an international scientific advisory board to guide our activities and we reach out to other THz science communities, e.g. by creating a Germany-UK partnership, joint scientific publications, workshops, website, and social media channels. Early career and gender issues are addressed by promoting female candidates and family-friendly policies. With all this, we aim to foster the INTEREST SPP for breaking through the existing barriers exploiting the best of what are still isolated scientific communities today.

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