On 1st April 2006, the International Research Training Group (Internationales Graduiertenkolleg, GRK 1215) "Materials and Concepts for Advanced Interconnects", jointly sponsored by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Chinese Ministry of Education, was established for 4.5 years until 09/2010.
After this successful first project period, the second phase of the program was approved in May 2010 by the German Research Foundation at the partnering institutions for another period of 4.5 years until 03/2015. The topic is extended to the field of Nanosystems. Accordingly the new title is: "Materials and Concepts for Advanced Interconnects and Nanosystems".
As a graduate school for PhD students, the International Research Training Group (IRTG) is working to develop novel materials and processes as well as new concepts for electrically connecting electronic devices within integrated circuits. Additionally, smaller contributions are planned in the field of device packaging and silicides for device fabrication. In this sense, the project is helping to solve problems currently encountered on the way to nanoelectronics. Within the framework of the IRTG, 18 German and 20 Chinese PhD students are working together, sharing ideas and experiences. Regular summer schools held either in Germany or China and an exchange period at one of the partner institutions involved are essential components of the IRTG program.