What is meant by “fundamental research” as it relates to the ACS PRF?
In the ACS PRF context, the term “fundamental” implies that the research addresses the intellectual structure of the discipline and the basic causes and consequences of the phenomena studied, and promises to produce results of broad interest and applicability not only in the immediate field of the investigator, but in other fields of science and engineering as well. Historically, the phrase “fundamental research” has been interpreted to exclude research that aims to develop new experimental techniques or devices, as well as research that is focused on applications such as medical, environmental, and social research.
