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)
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • Archiv

    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)