Cooperation with EU countries

There is enormous know-how about research, education and innovation in the EU member states. Pooling this potential by means of targeted cooperation between Germany and other EU states greatly benefits the further development of the European Research Area.

Research in the EU

Germany has collaborated very closely for a long time with several EU member states. Here are some examples of partners that are particularly close to Germany.

France

France is Germany’s most important partner in the science and research sector. Together, scientists from both countries study topics like artificial intelligence, IT security and new forms of energy in battery and hydrogen research, as well as how countries in Western Africa can become more resilient to climate change. Experts from both countries hold regular forums to coordinate on Franco-German research cooperation and to plan new measures.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is in close contact with the French research ministry. The governments of both countries meet at least once a year for the Franco-German Council of Ministers. The political basis of this cooperation is set out in the Treaty of Aachen of 2020, which ties in with the Élysée Treaty of 1963. It also represents a common commitment to a strong, future-oriented and independent Europe.

The BMBF also supports the Centre Marc Bloch (CMB). The CMB is a Franco-German research centre for the humanities and social sciences which deals with current societal challenges, for example globalization and climate change, in an interdisciplinary way.

Poland

Poland is Germany’s most important partner in Eastern Central Europe. This applies in particular to cooperation in education, research and innovation. Since Poland’s accession to the European Union in 2004, the BMBF has supported the Polish science community in its efforts to integrate into the European Research Area. The beacons of cooperation are the German-Polish Science Foundation (DPWS) and the Dioscuri programme to establish scientific cores of excellence. Over the last ten years, cooperation between industry and science in funding programmes has become increasingly important. It currently focusses on the opportunities created by the digital transformation, in particular in medical technology, health research and green technologies.

Together with Poland, the BMBF also funds the German-Polish Science Foundation (DPWS). Since 2008, the DPWS has supported projects primarily in the humanities, cultural, legal, social and economic sciences. To date, it has provided total funding of over €12 million for more than 400 projects.

Czech Republic and Hungary

Germany works closely with the Czech Republic and Hungary, two countries with a strong science and business community in Eastern Central Europe. To enhance their strength and integrate these countries into the major European research programmes, the BMBF provides funding for research on German-Czech and German-Hungarian innovations in biotechnology, Industrie 4.0, application of information and communication technologies, new materials and quantum technology.

The BMBF also funds the Dioscuri programme. The aim is to establish international, excellent research centres in Poland and the Czech Republic.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands are an important and reliable partner to the BMBF, both at bilateral and at EU level. Cooperation has grown over time and is firmly established. Furthermore, and particularly since the Zeitenwende, both sides are very interested in further strengthening this neighbourly cooperation in four key strategic fields in particular:  battery research, hydrogen research, solar technology and quantum technology. Germany also regularly exchanges views with the Netherlands on research security.

Southern Europe

The BMBF cooperates with Italy and Greece in the context of bilateral funding calls on green hydrogen.

The BMBF is in close contact with the German-Italian Centre for the European Dialogue (Villa Vigoni e. V.). Its mission is to promote and enhance German-Italian relations from a European perspective. The BMBF is the funding ministry for the binational association on the German side and also finances the maintenance of the estate.

In addition, the BMBF is committed to the European University Institute (EUI). This European organization was established in 1972 and is located close to Florence. It is among the leading research institutes and higher education institutions worldwide in the field of legal, economic and political sciences and history.

Cooperation with non-EU countries

Germany cooperates in a targeted way with European countries outside the European Union. This fully optimizes the potential resulting created by science and research. The aim is a joint development in fields relevant to society, such as artificial intelligence or energy security.

United Kingdom

Traditionally, the United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) has been an attractive and important partner country for Germany thanks to its renowned higher education and research institutions. The BMBF works closely with the United Kingdom to promote scientific and technological innovations and academic exchange. Bilateral cooperation covers areas of research such as artificial intelligence, fusion research and renewable energy.

A central element of science cooperation is cooperation under Horizon Europe, the European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. As of early 2024, the United Kingdom is once again almost fully integrated in Horizon Europe. In addition to this, the BMBF supports bilateral research initiatives and promotes exchange programmes for apprentices, students and researchers, e.g. through AusbildungWeltweit.

Switzerland

Switzerland has been a strong partner to Germany for many years and pursues similar interests in education and research. German universities, research institutes and enterprises cooperate with their Swiss partners for the future. This applies both to bilateral cooperation and also to common initiatives at European and international level.

Norway

Germany is Norway’s most important education and research partner in Europe. Both countries are working together on better understanding the mechanisms and impact of climate change, in particular by means of polar research.

Iceland

The BMBF also cooperates with Iceland and other Arctic Circle countries in order to promote the scientific study of the Arctic and tackle climate change.

Western Balkans

The Western Balkans consist of six countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. One of Germany's main objectives is to bring the countries of the Western Balkans closer to the European Union and the European Innovation and Research Area. This requires a political, social and economic stabilization of the Western Balkans. Which is also important to secure the unity of Europe. Strengthening research and innovation capacity is an important first step in this process. The BMBF therefore supports cooperation between German researchers and their partners in the Western Balkans in a variety of ways.

Editorial deadline for this text: 01.11.2024