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.

  • 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

Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe
International Cooperation in Education and Research - Central, Eastern and South Eastern European Region Deadline: March 31, 2010

China
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 Scientific and Technological Cooperation (STC) with China Deadline: May 31, 2010