The HISPEC (High-resolution in-flight SPECtroscopy) project is part of the core experimental facility at FAIR. It is aimed at nuclear structure and reaction studies, using high-resolution \gamma -ray spectroscopy as its main tool. Experiments using the same techniques were performed at the for-runner RISING project at the existing GSI. Some HISPEC detectors are already in the production phase, with the first commissioning experiments taking place in 2010. The physics case, the experimental setup, the opportunities opened are discussed.

PACS numbers: 29.38.–c, 29.40.–n, 29.30.–h, 21.10.–k