The structure and support of Interdisciplinary Research Centres (IRCs) is still the subject of debate in the UK. One point of view is that significant progress will be made through focusing efforts in particular areas of science and technology. On the other hand, some believe that concentrating available funding in restricted fields will be detrimental to research outside the centres. The Director of the IRC for Polymer Science and Technology, which was officially opened in October 1990, describes the new centre and discusses the pros and cons.