The International Bureau provides financial support to German universities, research institutes and small and medium-sized enterprises for cooperation in science and research with partners from selected countries and for work in particular scientific and technical fields. This support is intended to help fund exploratory activities and the preparation of projects. Feasibility studies and pilot investigations may be funded as well.
Potential applicants include German institutions of higher education, non-university research establishments as well as small and medium-sized enterprises.
What is eligible for funding?
Within the framework of these preparatory measures, the BMBF supports the exchange of scientists between German and foreign partner institutions. As a rule, grants are meant to cover the cost of accommodations for foreign experts visting Germany and the travel costs of German experts visiting partners abroad. In many cases, foreign ministries provide corresponding funding within the framework of intergovernmental agreements.
In special cases, further costs can be covered as well (e.g. costs of scientific workshops, smaller investments and consumable materials for feasibility studies and pilot investigations, personnel).
As a rule, funding for preparatory measures can be provided for a maximum of two years.
Submission of Project Proposals
The application of German partners must be submitted to the International Bureau. Partners abroad seeking funding need to submit an application to the authorities responsible for such funding in their own countries.
For further information on funding opportunities and current announcements, visit the corresponding region’s or country’s page. For application forms, please use the link “Service” or visit the country-specific websites.
Applicants for funding should take note of special country-specific information on current activities and calls.
