Research cooperation with the countries of the Eastern Partnership (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine) and Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) has already increased significantly in recent years, in particular since 2022. Following on from the announcement, projects to intensify joint research and innovation cooperation with partners from the two regions will be funded, enabling long-term connections aimed at developing potential for cooperation.

The announcement provides the basis for specific funding calls which will describe the object of funding and each address one or more of the following modules:

Module 1: Implementation of events and event series of German research institutions

Module 2: International exploration and networking in order to establish new and expand existing cooperations

Module 3: Promoting project-based mobility in order to link ongoing activities

Module 4: Preparation of joint applications by German research institutions and their partner institutions within the framework of the European Research Framework Programmes and other European research initiatives

Module 5: Promotion of joint research and development projects

Module 6: Promotion of international collaborative projects with mandatory participation of partner institutions from science and industry

Module 7: Promoting partnerships in science, research and education

Module 8: Promotion of research and junior research groups as a starting point for sustainable, long-term cooperation

Module 9: Establishing sustainable joint partner structures

Applications can only be submitted on the basis of a funding call. When applying, the general conditions for funding as set out in the announcement as well as the specific requirements of the respective funding call must be observed.