Fields of Activity

The key responsibility of the International Bureau of the BMBF (IB) is to support stable international cooperation in the areas of education and research.
In this context, the International Bureau advises German institutions on the subject of international research cooperation and provides financial support for the development of new contacts and collaborations. In close cooperation with the DAAD, the International Bureau is also strongly involved in the conception, coordination and planning of BMBF activities aimed at advertising Germany as a key research location.

Measures and projects related to the development of the European Research Area (ERA) are becoming more and more important in the International Bureau's work. In this way, the IB represents Germany's interests in the context of the increasing internationalization of the European Research Area and contributes to an improved coordination of the strategies of European countries towards third countries.

The International Bureau also supports the BMBF in its cooperation with European and multinational organizations (such as the OECD and UNESCO).

On behalf of the BMBF, the IB observes and analyses international research and education policy developments. This is a prerequisite for creating and developing cooperation strategies for the international implementation of the Federal Government's High-Tech Strategy and the Internationalization Strategy and for supporting an international benchmarking of German research policy. The IB creates, develops and maintains Internet pages and portals on international cooperation in research and education and is an important partner in the development of a new system for international research policy reporting.

In addition, it is responsible for coordinating programmes for the support of young scientists.

Other responsibilities include the planning and realization of international events.

  • Cooperation with other Countries

    The BMBF has commissioned the International Bureau (IB) with providing support to German universities, research institutes and small and medium-sized enterprises exploit the opportunities posed by international networking.
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/793.php)

  • Promoting innovation in Germany

    Germany holds a prominent position in science, research and development, not only in Europe, but across the world. German companies are pioneers in developing innovative products, and "Made in Germany" is recognized as a sign of quality everywhere in the world. In our globalized world, scientific and technological advances are no longer isolated achievements that take place within national borders - they can only be accomplished by cooperating and exchanging ideas with leading experts from across the world.
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/1880.php)

  • EU cooperation with third countries

    The European Union's Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (7th RFP) supports cooperation and coordination efforts between the research and funding activities of Member States (ERA-NETs) and aims to intensify the research policy dialogue between the European Union and other parts of the world (INCO-NETs). The IB, on behalf of the BMBF, is involved in various European activities.
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/2953.php)

  • Multinational Organisations

    The International Bureau is responsible for multinational activities relating to the OECD, UNESCO and GBIF. The IB supports the BMBF in the organization of OECD science and technology committees. On behalf of the BMBF, the IB prepares multilateral meetings and conferences and participates in them or carries them out independently.
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/795.php)

  • Information Desks


    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/791.php)

  • SME cooperation in research and technology of small and medium sized enterprises

    The "consultant for cooperation in research and technology" support innovating German SME-s and other German entities in identifying international innovation potentials and contacting key-players.
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/3256.php)

  • Program in Support of Young Scientists - IPSWaT-International Postgraduate Studies in Water Technologies

    The IPSWaT (International Postgraduate Studies in Water Technologies) scholarship programme was launched in 2001. Its aim is to support highly qualified young students and young scientists from Germany and abroad who are interested in attending German universities to acquire Master's degrees that are international in outlook, related to water technologies, and taught in English.
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/789.php)

  • Supporting of the BMBF-funded projects in the field of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)

    The protection and sustainable use of water resources plays a decisive role for the future of humankind. That is why the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) funds the development of integrated planning tools for the sustainable use of water resources and the adaptation of water technologies to different climatic, ecological, economical and social conditions.
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/2435.php)

  • International Dialogue on Science for Sustainability (D4S)

    Internationally coordinated research agendas are necessary in order to ensure that research generates sustainable solutions to global challenges. The BMBF has entrusted the International Bureau with the preparation and coordination of an international research policy dialogue for sustainability research.
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/3277.php)

  • The BMBF International Cooperation Portal

    In this age of globalization, it is more important than ever to give science and education an international focus in order to maintain or improve their performance. Global challenges can only be met successfully with the help of international and multilateral cooperation. Since 2002, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research has been running internationale-kooperation.de, an initiative that offers opportunities for successful cross-border collaboration in research and education.
    [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/1887.php)

Documents

Das Aufgabenspektrum des Internationalen Büros

Zu den zentralen Aufgaben des IB gehört es,
  • deutsche Institutionen über Möglichkeiten internationaler Forschungskooperation zu informieren und zu beraten,
  • deutsche Einrichtungen zur Etablierung neuer Kontakte und Kooperationen mit Schwerpunktländern weltweit finanziell zu unterstützen,
  • das BMBF bei der Erarbeitung von Strategien und Konzepten zur internationalen Zusammenarbeit zu unterstützen,
  • sich an der Planung und Umsetzung von BMBF-Forschungs- und Nachwuchsprogrammen der internationalen Zusammenarbeit zu beteiligen,
  • internationale forschungs- und innovationspolitische Entwicklungen zu analysieren,
  • das BMBF bei der Werbung für den Forschungs- und Innovationsstandort Deutschland zu unterstützen,
  • Strategien für die Internationalisierung des europäischen Forschungsraumes zu entwickeln,
  • sich an europäischen Koordinierungsmaßnahmen zu beteiligen,
  • als Schnittstelle zu und Ansprechpartner für internationale Organisationen, Programme und Initiativen zu fungieren,
  • internationale Konferenzen, Foren, Workshops und Messeauftritte im In- und Ausland zu planen und zu organisieren sowie
  • Internetauftritte und Webportale zu konzipieren und zu betreiben.