This key is made up of a four-digit number which classifies groups of scientific instrumentation, equipment, systems and devices. It is used to manage the instrumentation supply, for example, to carry out inventories, calculate the value of equipment, plan investments and exchange data. It has been widely introduced at universities and research institutes in Germany, as well as at some universities in other German-speaking countries.

The four-digit subdivision serves as a basic framework which has been designed for universal use, although it also allows further differentiation to take account of locally specific instrumentation classes. The key is maintained by the DFG's Head Office and can be downloaded from the DFG's website.

Downloadable versions of the instrumentation category key (in German only)

• Sorted alphabetically

Information on depreciation periods can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of Finance (in German only). The DFG no longer publishes equipment-specific depreciation periods.

• AfA-Tabellen