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.

  • 2. Schwerpunktausgabe des "ITB infoservice" berichtet über Nachhaltigkeit und Innovation in Lateinamerika

    In der vorliegenden zweiten Schwerpunktausgabe des "ITB infoservice" werden beispielhaft überregionale und nationale Initiativen aus und mit Lateinamerika vorgestellt. Im Blickpunkt stehen die Themen Nachhaltigkeit und Innovation, wobei Wert auf eine möglichst repräsentative Berücksichtigung verschiedener Länder Lateinamerikas gelegt wurde.
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/4043.php)

  • Russland - Deutschland: Stärkung des Innovationspotentials dank internationaler Kooperation

    Am 7. und 8. Juni fand das Business Matchmaking Forum «Russia - Europe: Cooperation without Frontiers» in Moskau statt. In diesem Kontext organisierten das Internationale Büro des BMBF (IB) und der Russische Fonds für die Unterstützung kleiner innovativer Unternehmen (FASIE) einen Workshop für deutsche und russische KMU und Forschungseinrichtungen, die über ein gemeinsames Förderprogramm von IB und FASIE unterstützt werden. Ziel des Workshops war ein erster Erfahrungsaustausch über die Chancen und Perspektiven der Zusammenarbeit im Rahmen des Förderprogramms.
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/3990.php)

  • IPSWaT-scholarship holders' meetings 2010

    Das BMBF fördert seit 2001 mit seinem Nachwuchsprogramm IPSWaT (International Postgraduate Studies in Water Technologies) exzellente deutsche und ausländische Studenten und Nachwuchswissenschaftler innerhalb international ausgerichteter, wasserfachlicher Master-Studiengänge in englischer Sprache an deutschen Hochschulen. Jedes Jahr findet ein Stipendiatentreffen statt, das den "IPSWaT" - Stipendiaten die Möglichkeit bietet: Knapp 70 Stipendiaten aus aller Welt, ihre 20 Betreuer aus den deutschen Hochschulen sowie eine Reihe von Gästen aus Partnerorganisationen nahmen 2009 am dreitägigen Stipendiatentreffen in Stuttgart teil.
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/3546.php)

  • Schavan: "New collaborations strengthen innovation and growth"

    Federal Research Minister opens German-Brazilian Year of Science, Technology and Innovation in São Paulo / Germany and Brazil continue to intensify cooperation
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/3779.php)

  • German President, Horst Köhler meets the participants of the Indo-German Conference on Research for Sustainability

    During the course of his official state visit to India, German Federal President, Horst Köhler met the participants of the 3rd Indo-German Conference on Research for Sustainability in New Delhi, and displayed great interest in this type of cooperation. Water and Waste Management were the central themes of the 3rd Indo-German Conference on Research for Sustainability, which was jointly convened by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and the Department of Science and Research (DST) on 3 and 4 February in New Delhi.
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/3734.php)

  • India and Germany to collaborate on R&D in Biotechnology

    June 18, Bangalore, India - The German Federal Government has launched a campaign titled "India and Germany- Strategic Partners for Innovation" to enable and facilitate mutually beneficial R&D collaborations between Indian and German R&D institutions and companies.
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/3575.php)

Calls

Egypt
Second joint announcement of the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF) of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) of the Federal Republic of Germany of regulations governing the funding of joint innovative projects in the field of applied research through the "Egyptian-German Research Fund" Deadline: August 15, 2010

Turkey
Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) Call for proposals under the Federal Government's Strategy for the Internationalization of Science and Research
Regulations Governing the Funding of German-Turkish University Research Cooperation (IntenC) Deadline:  August 31,  2010

Central Asia/ South Caucasus
Announcement Relating to the Federal Government Strategy for the Internationalisation of Science and Research Guidelines for the Funding of "Partnerships for Sustainable Solutions to Problems in Emerging and Developing Countries" - Preparatory and Fact-finding Actions for Partnerships in Science, Research and Education; Pilot Actions with Countries in Central Asia and the Southern Caucasus Deadline: September 15, 2010

International Partnerships for Sustainable Technologies and Services for Climate Protection and the Environment
Announcement of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
of regulations for the funding of research and development projects in the area of "International Partnerships for Sustainable Technologies and Services for Climate Protection and the Environment" (CLIENT) under the "Research for Sustainable Development" framework programme Deadline: August, 31, 2012

Union for the Mediterranean
Announcement of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research within the framework of the Federal Government's Strategy for the Internationalization of Science and Research - Regulations governing the funding of international cooperation in science and research in connection with the Union for the Mediterranean Deadline: December 31, 2013

Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe
International Cooperation in Education and Research - Central, Eastern and South Eastern European Region Deadline: December 31, 2013