# Stichting voor Fundamenteel Onderzoek der Materie

> scientific foundation for fundamental matter research in the Netherlands

**Wikidata**: [Q1950254](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1950254)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/stichting-voor-fundamenteel-onderzoek-der-materie

## Summary
The Stichting voor Fundamenteel Onderzoek der Materie (FOM) was a scientific foundation in the Netherlands dedicated to fundamental research on matter. Established in 1946 and based in Utrecht, it operated as a research institute for nearly seven decades. The organization was dissolved in 2015 following a merger into the Dutch Research Council.

## Key Facts
- **Founded:** 1946
- **Dissolved:** 2015 (merged into the Dutch Research Council)
- **Location:** Utrecht, Netherlands
- **Legal Form:** Stichting (Foundation)
- **Primary Function:** Scientific foundation for fundamental matter research
- **Parent Organization:** Dutch Research Council
- **Subsidiaries:** Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research (DIFFER), AMOLF, and FOM-Rijnhuizen
- **Also Known As:** FOM, Foundation For Fundamental Research On Matter
- **Website:** http://www.fom.nl

## FAQs
### Q: What did FOM stand for?
A: FOM stood for *Stichting voor Fundamenteel Onderzoek der Materie*, which translates to the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter. It was a Dutch research institute focused on the fundamental study of matter.

### Q: Is the Stichting voor Fundamenteel Onderzoek der Materie still active?
A: No, the foundation was dissolved in 2015. It ceased to exist as an independent entity following a merger with the Dutch Research Council.

### Q: Where was the organization located?
A: The foundation was located in Utrecht, Netherlands.

## Why It Matters
The Stichting voor Fundamenteel Onderzoek der Materie played a critical role in the Dutch scientific landscape for nearly 70 years. As the primary research institute for fundamental matter research in the Netherlands, it facilitated high-level physics studies and managed specialized laboratories. Its work contributed to the global understanding of matter, bridging the gap between theoretical science and practical application through its various subsidiaries.

The organization's structural integration into the Dutch Research Council in 2015 marked a significant consolidation of scientific funding and administration in the Netherlands. By managing distinct institutes like AMOLF and the FOM-Rijnhuizen center, FOM provided the infrastructure necessary for specialized research in areas such as energy research and nanophotonics before its absorption into the broader council.

## Notable For
- **Scope:** Being the primary scientific foundation for fundamental matter research in the Netherlands.
- **Affiliation:** Serving as a long-standing affiliate of the Dutch Research Council before fully merging into it.
- **Subsidiaries:** Managing prominent research centers, including AMOLF and the Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research (DIFFER).
- **Duration:** Operating continuously from 1946 to 2015.

## Body

### Identity and Purpose
The **Stichting voor Fundamenteel Onderzoek der Materie** (FOM) was a research institute and scientific foundation classified under the legal form of a *stichting* (foundation). Its primary purpose was conducting and facilitating fundamental research into matter within the Netherlands. The organization was also known by the aliases "FOM" and "Foundation For Fundamental Research On Matter."

### Organizational History
The foundation was established in **1946**. It maintained operations for nearly seven decades before undergoing a structural change in **2015**. In that year, the organization was dissolved and merged into its parent body, the **Dutch Research Council**.

### Structure and Affiliations
FOM was headquartered in **Utrecht**, Netherlands. It operated as a subsidiary of the **Dutch Research Council**. The foundation managed several specialized research bodies, including:
*   **AMOLF**
*   **FOM-Rijnhuizen**
*   **Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research** (DIFFER)

Individuals affiliated with the organization include **Frans Kruseman Aretz**, a computer scientist and citizen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, who received his Ph.D. from the Universiteit van Amsterdam in 1962.

### Identifiers and Data
The organization is indexed in numerous global databases under the following identifiers:
*   **GRID ID:** grid.135060.1
*   **ROR ID:** 01f61vq51
*   **ISNI:** 0000000090407066
*   **Open Funder Registry ID:** 501100001712
*   **Ringgold ID:** 55951
*   **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/122zqb86

## References

1. GRID Release 2017-01-10
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Open Funder Registry
4. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
5. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File