History

65 years of pioneering interdisciplinary research in the fields of Chemical Biology, Theoretical and Physical Chemistry, and History.

The NHRF, one of the largest research centers in Greece, was founded on October 10, 1958, as the “Royal Research Foundation,” following a proposal submitted to Prime Minister Constantine Karamanlis by three world-renowned academics:

• Yiannis Pesmazoglou, economist, member of the Academy of Athens,
• Leonidas Zervas, chemist, member of the Academy of Athens
• Konstantinos Th. Dimaras, historian.

The NHRF was established by Royal Decree “to strengthen scientific research in the country, to ensure […] a creative outlet for talented Greek scientists, as well as […] the acquisition of holistic scientific training and experience resulting from systematic and high-level scientific work”.

Initially, the NHRF managed research grants and scholarships to support scientific research in Greece. It soon acquired its own research units, which served as structures for the modernization of Greek science with direct applications in society, health, and the agricultural economy. Through the successful coexistence of three Institutes of Physical Sciences and Life Sciences, in the fields of Biology, Physical Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry, together with three Institutes of Historical Research in the fields of Modern Greek Studies, Byzantine Studies, and Greek and Roman Antiquity, the NHRF became a model, multifaceted, and innovative Research Center that cultivated the continuous modernization of scientific methods and fields, as well as extroversion and connection with society. In the next phase, in 2012, the three Historical Institutes merged to form the current Institute of Historical Research, while two positive Institutes merged to form the current Institute of Chemical Biology and the third positive Institute remained as the Institute of Theoretical and Physical Chemistry.