International Bureau

The International Bureau has been commissioned by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) to strengthen the international ties of German universities, research institutes and enterprises with the ultimate goal of building competencies and fostering competitive advantages for industry and the research community in Germany in the areas of research and innovation. In doing so, the International Bureau is making an important contribution to cultivating an international dimension within the research programmes of the BMBF.

The International Bureau works on behalf of the BMBF and sees itself as a service provider for the BMBF, or rather a service provider for the German science community on behalf of the BMBF.
Its responsibilities are:

  • Supporting the ministry in planning and implementing international agreements and cooperation programmes
  • Observing relevant international developments in the areas of research and innovation policy
  • Advising and supporting stakeholders in the German scientific landscape in opening up opportunities for international networking and advertising Germany as an excellent place for science, research and innovation
  • Contributing to the strategic development of the strategic dimension of the European Research Area

In dialogue with the research divisions of the BMBF and their project management organisations, the International Bureau initiates cooperation on research topics with a high policy priority with competent partners in a variety of countries – primarily in Europe, Asia, the Americas and Africa.

The International Bureau possesses detailed knowledge of the capacities for cooperation in other countries as well as the legal and political framework for cooperation. Moreover, it maintains contact with relevant organisations abroad as well as with German organisations active in cooperation at the international level.

The IB contributes to the implementation of the Federal Government’s High-Tech Strategy and the Strategy of the Federal Government for the Internationalization of Science and Research, which was initiated by the BMBF.

The International Bureau provides BMBF funding to German universities, research institutes and small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) for investigating the potential for cooperation with partners abroad and for the preparation of projects involving international cooperation.

  • Ausstellung zur Deutsch-Russischen Polarforschung

    Nachwuchswissenschaftler präsentieren in Bonn die Ergebnisse ihrer Forschungen in der Arktis.
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/4657.php)
  • Erfolgreicher Auftakt zur Länderkampagne Russland

    Optische Technologien, Nanotechnologie, Ressourceneffizienz und Gesundheit – das sind die Schwerpunkte der Länderkampagne Russland, die nun verstärkt von deutschen und russischen Netzwerken gemeinsam angegangen werden. Am 29. März fand die große Auftaktveranstaltung der Kampagne in Moskau statt an der über 200 Vertreter der deutschen und russischen Fachwelt teilgenommen haben.
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/4629.php)
  • South Africa - Intensifying Scientific Co-operation with Germany

    Sub-tropical forests and arid deserts, large grey mammals and delicate penguins – South Africa offers a broad range of possibilities, and not just in terms of nature. This vast country also offers numerous opportunities in the fields of research, technology and innovation. As a result, the German-South African Year of Science will begin in April.
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/4582.php)
  • The "European dimension" in international S&T cooperation

    Now in the fourth year since it was founded, the Strategic Forum for International S&T Cooperation (SFIC) has become established as a committee in the European Research Area, which is referred to at many various points in political processes for international research cooperation.
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/4583.php)
  • Welcome to Medtech Germany

    Gelungener Start der Medizintechnik-Kampagne des BMBF auf der MEDICA 2011
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/4499.php)
  • The Internet portal www.cogeril.de for the German-Israeli research cooperation has a new layout

    The English language Internet portal for the German-Israeli cooperation in research and technology CoGerIl (www.cogeril.de) has recently been published. The portal, which is maintained by the International Bureau of the BMBF, offers comprehensive information on cooperation and funding opportunities regarding the German-Israeli collaboration.
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/4404.php)
  • Archive

    Here you can find older articles, press releases, etc. about events and activities of the International Bureau of the Federal Ministry of Education.
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/4068.php)