The German Research Council (DFG) supports an extensive interdisciplinary research programme to be implemented in the area of the Lore Lindu National Park, Central Sulawesi. The first phase of the programme is scheduled for 3 years (July 2000-June 2003). Up to four successive phases of 3 years’ duration each may follow, depending on the outcome and success of the current phase. The programme comprises 5 subprogrammes with altogether 17 projects, each involving at least one doctoral student from Germany. The students from Germany will be matched by Indonesian doctoral students wherever possible within the framework of the Indonesian and German systems of scientific promotion, involving scholarships, supervision, university development schemes.