Reports - Topics - News | 2019

Northern Brazilian Universities Discuss Internationalisation Strategies

Palestrantes do I Encontro Regional Norte da Rebralint

Palestrantes do I Encontro Regional Norte da Rebralint

© Rebralint

(15.01.19) In December, representatives of various research institutions in northern Brazil met in Belém in the state of Pará to discuss internationalisation in the region. The meeting was initiated by the Germany-Brazil Network for the Internationalisation of Higher Education (Rebralint) and was held at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA). The organisations invited to give presentations included the DFG Office Latin America and DAAD Brazil.

Perspectives for the Brazilian research sector 2019

The aeronautical engineer Marcos Pontes is taking over as head of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communication.

The aeronautical engineer Marcos Pontes is taking over as head of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communication.

© NASA Kennedy Space Center

(24.01.19) In October last year, the candidate for the right-wing Social Liberal Party (PSL), Jair Bolsonaro, was elected as the new President of Brazil. His entry to office has already been accompanied by some staffing changes at senior administrative levels of research policy with significant implications for research cooperation over the next four years.

DFG-CAPES call to strengthen German-Brazilian cooperation in fields of law

The Brazilian legal system has adopted many German legal norms - a good reason for bilateral cooperations in fields of law

The Brazilian legal system has adopted many German legal norms - a good reason for bilateral cooperations in fields of law

© DAAD/Jan Zappner

(04.02.19) During its early development, the Brazilian legal system was subject to a strong German influence – a relatively little-known fact dating back to Roman Law, originally aligned with German legal norms. This jurisprudence also applied in other areas, including modern-day Portugal. Colonisation then brought these concepts and institutions to Brazil, where they continued to evolve over time. Brazilian civil law still contains references to the German Civil Code (BGB) drawn up in the 19th century, clearly illustrating the connection with German jurisprudence.

DFG promotes equal opportunity in the German research sector

Women archaeology researchers examine the collection of ancient fragments from Troy in the Collection of Ancient Art at Friedrich Schiller University Jena

Women archaeology researchers examine the collection of ancient fragments from Troy in the Collection of Ancient Art at Friedrich Schiller University Jena

© DAAD/Jan Zappner

(19.03.19) To mark International Women's Day on 8 March, we are presenting measures taken by Germany's largest research funding organisation to further gender equality in research

Cátedra Europa Strengthens German-Colombian Relations

Daladier Molinares (Uninorte, International Cooperation Officer); Joachim Hahn (Uninorte, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs); Dr. Adolfo Meisel (Uninorte, Rector); Kathrin Winkler (Head of DFG Latin America Office); Maxi Neidhardt (DFG Latin America O

Daladier Molinares (Uninorte, International Cooperation Officer); Joachim Hahn (Uninorte, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs); Dr. Adolfo Meisel (Uninorte, Rector); Kathrin Winkler (Head of DFG Latin America Office); Maxi Neidhardt (DFG Latin America Office, Programme Officer) and Jeannie Caicedo (Uninorte, Head of the Department of International Cooperation)

© DFG

(10.04.19) This year, Germany was the host country of Cátedra Europa, an annual congress organised by North University in Barranquilla, Colombia, which was attended by around 600 students and researchers; the DFG Office Latin America was also in attendance.

Deans of Latin American Universities Meet in Lima to Discuss Management and Internationalisation of Higher Education

Participants at the meeting of Latin American alumni of the International Deans Course (IDC)

Participants at the meeting of Latin American alumni of the International Deans Course (IDC)

© Universität Saarbrücken

(23.04.19) Universities all over the world are facing new challenges as a result of recent global changes, which include demographic factors, migration, technological advancements, political change and new fundraising systems.

DFG Funds Interdisciplinary Top-Level Research on the Formation of the Earth's Surface in South America

The primary terrain where research is being conducted is Cordillera de la Costa in Chile

The primary terrain where research is being conducted is Cordillera de la Costa in Chile

© Earthshape

(06.05.19) 22 April marked International Earth Day – a good occasion to introduce the EarthShape project, one of the most innovative projects funded by the DFG in South America

DFG Outlines Funding Opportunities for Researchers at the UFPR

The event is part of a series of activities funded by the UFPR as part of the internationalisation programme for Brazilian universities.

The event is part of a series of activities funded by the UFPR as part of the internationalisation programme for Brazilian universities.

© Divulgação

(25.04.19) The Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) held an event on 10 April in Curitiba to promote internationalisation with a view to demonstrating the opportunities for cooperation with foreign universities to researchers and the management of the university.

DFG President Visits Partner Organisations in Brazil

Prof. Dr. Correia in conversation with Prof. Dr. Strohschneider during the meeting in Brasília

Prof. Dr. Correia in conversation with Prof. Dr. Strohschneider during the meeting in Brasília

© DFG

(22.05.19) During his visit to Brazil at the end of April, DFG President Prof. Dr. Peter Strohschneider met with the new presidents of Brazil’s federal-level funding organisations, CAPES and CNPq, and expressed his support for a continuation of cooperation.

The photo exhibition devoted to Serra da Capivara is now being shown in Brasília

Visitors watch the documentary film on Serra da Capivara

Visitors watch the documentary film on Serra da Capivara

© Guilherme Leporace/Museu do Amanhã

(22.05.19) Serra da Capivara National Park in the state of Piauí in northeastern Brazil is famous for its archaeological sites and impressive rock art, which have earned it the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On 6 May, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) in partnership with the German embassy and Sesc opened an exhibition on Serra da Capivara in Distrito Federal.

Meeting on Scientific and Technological Cooperation Between Germany and Colombia in Bogotá

Representatives of Colombian and German institutions met in Bogotá

Representatives of Colombian and German institutions met in Bogotá

© DFG

(24.05.19) On 13 and 14 May, representatives of Colombian and German institutions gathered in Bogotá for a third meeting as part of the scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries. The participants discussed topics relating to education, science and technology as well as new strategies to strengthen cooperation in these areas.

Events in Bogotá to Strengthen Scientific Cooperation with Colombia

Colombian researchers interested in doctoral or postdoctoral research attended the workshop in Bogotá

Colombian researchers interested in doctoral or postdoctoral research attended the workshop in Bogotá

© DFG

(24.05.19) On 9 May, a workshop was held in Bogotá to enable Colombian researchers to learn about opportunities for doctoral and postdoctoral research in Germany. The workshop, which was the first such event to be held in Colombia and was organised by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Free University of Berlin (FU Berlin), took place at Universidad de los Andes (Uniandes) and was supported by the DFG.

Annual Meeting of the Global Research Council in São Paulo

Representatives of the 49 participating funding organisations of the GRC meeting in São Paulo

Representatives of the 49 participating funding organisations of the GRC meeting in São Paulo

© Felipe Maeda/ Agência FAPESP

(21.05.19) DFG President Prof. Dr. Peter Strohschneider was in São Paulo from 1 to 3 March to attend the annual meeting of the Global Research Council (GRC). Representatives of 49 research funding organisations from 45 countries attended the event that took place for the first time in South America and was jointly organised by the funding institutions DFG, FAPESP (São Paulo, Brazil) and CONICET (Argentina).

DFG Outlines Funding Opportunities at USP in São Carlos

Speakers at the workshop in São Carlos

Speakers at the workshop in São Carlos

© Vânia Gomes Zuin

(03.06.19) On 16 May, researchers from the city of São Carlos in the state of São Paulo had the opportunity to learn more about research and funding opportunities in Germany. The event was organised by the Information Centre of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in São Paulo and held on the engineering campus of the University of São Paulo (USP).

German-Mexican Research Project Studies Phenomenon of Hanging Bell-Shaped Dripstones

The hanging structures grow to a depth of 36 meters in a dark environment

The hanging structures grow to a depth of 36 meters in a dark environment

© Hells Bells Project

(17.06.19) On World Environment Day, we will present an extraordinary phenomenon which is currently being researched jointly by German and Mexican researchers in the flooded cave systems of the Yucatán Peninsula.

Universidad de Antioquia is the DFG's new cooperation partner in Colombia

Prof. Marulanda presents funding opportunities under the DFG-UdeA initiative to workshop participants

Prof. Marulanda presents funding opportunities under the DFG-UdeA initiative to workshop participants

© DFG

(18.06.19) A new funding opportunity for bilateral projects is now available to researchers from Germany and Colombia. Under the cooperation agreement signed in January between the DFG and the Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA), research projects, mobility, seminars and workshops as well as other joint research activities are eligible for funding.

Information events on postdoctoral opportunities in Germany

A total of around 200 researchers took part in the two postdoctoral workshops

A total of around 200 researchers took part in the two postdoctoral workshops

© Ricson Onodera

(18.06.19) ) On 4 and 6 June, some 200 early-career researchers from Brazil had the chance to learn more about postdoctoral opportunities in Germany at workshops in São Paulo and Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais).

Specialist Conference Highlights Potential for Cooperation in Neuroscience

Prof. Dr. Schläpfer in conversation with early career researchers at the stand

Prof. Dr. Schläpfer in conversation with early career researchers at the stand

© DFG

(24.06.19) At the international conference on "Brain, Behavior and Emotions" researchers had the chance to find out about opportunities for research and cooperation in Germany. The interdisciplinary conference, with more than 4,000 participants from the fields of medicine, neuroscience, pharmacology and psychology, took place from 5 to 8 June in Brasilia.

Long-Term Projects Highlight Potential for German-Mexican Cooperation

Participantes do projeto Entre Espacios

Participantes do projeto Entre Espacios

© Entre Espacios

(08.07.19) Over the past few years, Mexico has evolved to become an important partner in scientific cooperation with Germany. This convergence was supported by the DFG and its Office Latin America and is reflected in a number of new partnerships with Mexican institutions. Representatives of the DFG visited partner organisation CONACYT and different research institutions in May.

DFG Presents Funding Opportunities at 27th StatPhys Conference in Buenos Aires

Maxi Neidhardt presents the DFG funding programmes to those in attendance at the 27th StatPhys Conference

Maxi Neidhardt presents the DFG funding programmes to those in attendance at the 27th StatPhys Conference

© Claudio Esses

(22.07.19) Around 700 researchers came together for 27th the International Conference on Statistical Physics (StatPhys) in Buenos Aires in early July. The conference programme comprised a number of presentations and poster sessions on different topics such as the issues in biological physics, the movement of bacteria, disordered systems, non-linear dynamics, turbulence and chaos, as well as on aspects of non-equilibrium and quantum mechanics in condensed matter physics.

The DFG debates science policy at SBPC annual meeting

The SBPC audience follows the panel discussion on the contribution made by science to science policy

The SBPC audience follows the panel discussion on the contribution made by science to science policy

© DWIH São Paulo

(20.08.19) The DFG Office Latin America was represented at the 71st annual meeting of the Brazilian Society for the Advancement of Science (Sociedade Brasileira para o Progresso da Ciência – SBPC) in Campo Grande, attended by more than 30,000 people. The German House for Research and Innovation São Paulo organised a panel discussion on the interaction between science and politics, in which Dr. Kathrin Winkler, the Head of the DFG Office Latin America, also participated.

Uruguay: Flexibility and Openness in Research Cooperation

Visit to UdelaR: Laura Redondo, DFG, Rodrigo Arim, Rector, Kathrin Winkler, DFG, Cecilia Fernández, Vice-Rector for Research, Claudia Barnickel, DAAD lecturer, and Ana Butti, Department of International Cooperation

Visit to UdelaR: Laura Redondo, DFG, Rodrigo Arim, Rector, Kathrin Winkler, DFG, Cecilia Fernández, Vice-Rector for Research, Claudia Barnickel, DAAD lecturer, and Ana Butti, Department of International Cooperation

© DFG

(04.09.19) Dr. Kathrin Winkler and Laura Redondo from the DFG Office Latin America travelled to Montevideo at the beginning of August to gain deeper insights into the local research landscape, and gauge the potential for future cooperation.

FGV Colloquium with DFG Input on Scientific Impact

Speakers of the panel on the topic of "Assessing and Measuring Scientific Impact in Society, the Economy, Culture and the Environment"

Speakers of the panel on the topic of "Assessing and Measuring Scientific Impact in Society, the Economy, Culture and the Environment"

© FGV

(11.09.19) Researchers from the FGV, universities and think tanks as well as representatives of funding institutions and the Brazilian government, came together in Rio de Janeiro for the 5th Colloquium for Applied Research of the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV). Dr. Kathrin Winkler, Director of the DFG’s Latin America office, was one of the around 320 attendees at the event held on 20 and 21 August, and gave a talk during the session on assessing and measuring the economic and societal impact of scientific research.

DFG makes Presentation to State Funding Agencies in Brazil

Participants of the CONFAP Forum

© DWIH-SP

(17.09.19) The third general meeting of the National Council of State Funding Organisations (CONFAP) was held in São Paulo on 22 and 23 August. As part of the programme, the presidents of the state funding agencies (FAPs), currently 26 in number, meet regularly to exchange ideas and experiences with each other as well as with representatives of ministries, international agencies and funding organisations at federal level.

Great Interest in Germany as Research Location at Materials Science Conference in Brazil

At the Research in Germany booth: Graziele Lautenschlaeger (DAAD), Prof. Joachim Heberle (FU Berlin), Maxi Neidhardt (DFG), Prof. Renata Autoun Simão (UFRJ)

At the Research in Germany booth: Graziele Lautenschlaeger (DAAD), Prof. Joachim Heberle (FU Berlin), Maxi Neidhardt (DFG), Prof. Renata Autoun Simão (UFRJ)

© DFG

(09.10.19) At the end of September, around 1,600 national and international researchers – the highest number of attendees to date – came together for the 28th annual meeting of the Brazilian Materials Research Society (SBPMat) in the southern Brazilian coastal resort of Balneário de Camboriú. For the second time, a very successful Research in Germany booth was set up at the event with the active involvement of the DFG Office Latin America.

Sharing and Acquiring Knowledge: Research Trips Have Long Tradition

Speakers from the DAAD, FU Berlin, WWU Münster, TU Berlin, DFG, TUM, AvH and Euraxess introduce themselves

Speakers from the DAAD, FU Berlin, WWU Münster, TU Berlin, DFG, TUM, AvH and Euraxess introduce themselves

© Sarah Pabst

(06.11.19) German explorer and natural scientist Alexander von Humboldt was drawn to Latin America 200 years ago; today, it is young Argentinians who are drawn to Germany as a place to carry out their research work.

Scientists at 70th Brazilian Botanical Congress Discuss Current Problems in Botany and Biodiversity

Opening of the conference

Opening of the conference

© DAAD

(08.11.19) Our environment and the protection of our forests are issues close to the hearts of the scientific community and the general public alike. Because of their unique properties, we all depend on plants, using them as food, pharmaceutical ingredients and in cosmetics. But we are often unaware of the extent to which we use raw plant materials and what impacts this has on the environment. This and other topics were on the agenda at the 70th Brazilian Botanical Congress in Maceió, which was also attended by the Research in Germany initiative.

8th German-Brazilian Dialogue: Cooperation in Conflict Research

Session on funding opportunities with representatives of the DFG, DAAD and FAPESP

Session on funding opportunities with representatives of the DFG, DAAD and FAPESP

© Felipe Mairowski

(28.11.19) The German-Brazilian Dialogue on Science, Research and Innovation, organised by the German House for Research and Innovation in São Paulo (DWIH São Paulo) and the funding organisation for the state of São Paulo (FAPESP), took place in São Paulo for the eighth time on 30 and 31 October 2019. This year's edition was based on the theme "Radicalization and Violence: Perspectives and Prevention Approaches".

DFG Attends Events Pertaining to Foundation of Field & Food Tech Hub in São Carlos

Prof. Dr. Vânia Zuin presents the new Field & Food Tech Hub

Prof. Dr. Vânia Zuin presents the new Field & Food Tech Hub

© UFSCAR

(20.12.19) Researching new food production methods is becoming increasingly important for researchers in Germany and abroad. In the years to come, there will inevitably be an increased demand for food due to the anticipated population growth, which means that we will have to rethink not only the way we produce food but our forms of food consumption as well. The Field & Food Tech Hub-UFSCar opened on 20 November at the Research Centre for Modern Materials and Energy (CPqMAE) of the Federal University of São Carlos.

DFG Concludes Science Year 2019 in Latin America with UFRJ Event

Dr. Kathrin Winkler erläutert Forschungsmöglichkeiten in Deutschland

Dr. Kathrin Winkler erläutert Forschungsmöglichkeiten in Deutschland

© DFG

(20.12.19) At the final event of Science Year 2019 in Latin America, the DFG outlined funding opportunities in Germany for students and researchers from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). The university opened its doors to welcome German research institutions on 12 December. The purpose of the event in the CENABIO of UFRJ was to outline the various opportunities for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers to conduct research visits and for scientific cooperation with researchers from German institutions. Options for both short visits and long-term research projects were presented.