Specific tasks within the GDCh are carried out by specially established advisory boards, committees and boards of trustees. These bodies advise the Board, award prizes and distinctions, support publications and contribute to socially relevant cross-cutting issues. Members are appointed by the Board.
The GDCh presents awards in nearly all disciplines of chemistry – from analytical chemistry to sustainable chemistry. Scientific excellence, the promotion of early-career researchers, teaching and science communication are recognised. A selection committee appointed by the Board is responsible for each award. The term of office is 4 years and may be extended once.
The basis for the work of our selection committees for the GDCh awards is provided by the Working Guidelines (as of 3/2023).
The GDCh awards some prizes jointly with partner organisations from academia and industry. The committees have equal representation from all participating organisations.
The GDCh acts as trustee for a number of dependent foundations. The founders have entrusted their foundations to the GDCh and the specialist knowledge accumulated within it, thereby saving themselves the considerable administrative effort. For each foundation, the Board appoints an advisory board that decides on the awarding of prizes, sponsorship awards and scholarships.
As part of bilateral agreements with European partner societies, the GDCh invites outstanding scientists to undertake lecture tours – and, in return, sends German chemists abroad.
The GDCh Board appoints advisory boards for GDCh journals, which provide the Editorial staff with specialist and strategic advice. In addition, the Publishing Advisory Board supports cooperation with Wiley-VCH at publishing level.
In accordance with its statutes, the GDCh promotes chemistry-focused scientific further education. Two committees coordinate this provision: one for general vocational training and one for the training of chemistry teachers.
The commission maintains and documents sites that are of particular significance for the history of chemistry in Germany.
These commissions advise the GDCh Board on cross-cutting issues of societal relevance. They contribute chemical and scientific expertise on matters of sustainability, equal opportunities, ethics and quality assurance.