ISTC / STCU

The International Science and Technology Centre (ISTC) in Moscow and the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU) in Kiev provide scientists and engineers in Russia, the Ukraine and other countries within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) who were formerly active in the military-industrial sector with opportunities for employment and international cooperation in the civilian sector.

The ISTC and STCU fund projects - which also benefit from financial support from the EU - in the areas of basic research, application-oriented research and technological development. The period of funding for individual projects can last up to three years. A large number of bilateral connections have been established within the framework of such projects. Germany counts among the most active partner countries from Western Europe.

There are two options available to German organisations interested in participation in ISTC and STCU projects:

• Within the framework of so-called "regular technology projects", German institutions and enterprises agree upon the nature of their contribution to a particular project with the team of scientists from the CIS countries preparing an application for funding. This contribution should be tailored to the individual needs of the German partner(s). German partners need only to cover their own costs. The work performed by the participants from the CIS countries is financed with funding resources provided by ISTC/STCU. The advantage of such an arrangement for the German partners is twofold: they gain direct access to valuable information and have a high degree of flexibility in the shaping of their contribution to the project.
• Within the framework of the so-called Partner Program, German institutions and enterprises can initiate collaborative projects with CIS organisations designed in their own interest and - on the basis of an agreement with the executing project team and the ISTC/STCU - receive funding amounting to up to 100% of the project costs. Further advantages for the German side include simplified conditions for cooperation and exemption from taxes and customs duties.

Participation on the German side is open to institutions of higher education, non-university research institutes and enterprises. Applications for funding are submitted to the corresponding center in Moscow or Kiev by the project partners in the CIS states.

The International Bureau of the BMBF is the national contact point in Germany for ISTC/STCU and provides financial support for the exchange of experts for the purpose of preparing new projects. Interested parties must submit a formal application for such support to the IB. Central criteria for the evaluation of applications include current relevance of the proposed topic, degree of innovation, and the chances of success of the ISTC/STCU application.