German Center for Research and Innovation (GCRI) Informational Luncheon Discussion in Washington, DC
On Wednesday, April 14, 2010 the DFG invited its Washington community to a luncheon presentation about the German Center for Research and Innovation (GCRI) in New York. The approximately 25 representatives from partner organizations: NSF, NIH, NEH; German business organizations: RGIT, GTAI; German/European funding agencies: DLR, AvH, Delegation of the European Union; and attachés of Science & Technology from various embassies listened to and participated in the discussion. The goal was to introduce the concept of the GCRI and discuss synergies and potential collaboration with DC constituencies. Dr. Marion Müller, Director of the DFG – North America Office began by welcoming the guests and featured speakers Dr. Joann Halpern, Director of Programs and Strategic Outreach of the GCRI, New York and Dr. Sebastian Fohrbeck, Director of the DAAD, New York.
The GCRI is part of the strategy of the federal German government for internationalization of science and research, passed in February 2008 to strengthen Germany's role in the global knowledge society. The start-up funding is financed by the German Federal Foreign Office’s Research and Academic Relations Initiative. The primary goal of GCRI New York is to foster collaboration in research and development between Germany and potential partners in North America, under the joint leadership of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Research Foundation (DFG). The GCRI in New York is one of five centers, the other centers being Moscow, São Paulo, New Delhi and Tokyo.
Dr. Fohrbeck (DAAD) began by explaining why New York City was chosen as strategic location for a GCRI in North America. While other cities like Edmonton, San Francisco, Boston and Washington were considered, only New York already had the perfect infrastructure available to quickly set up a center. The GCRI office is located in the same building (aka The German House) as the German Consulate of New York and Germany's Permanent Mission to the United Nations. In this building the DFG, DAAD, consortia of German universities and GAIN hold offices and benefit from use of meeting rooms, catering and other in house services. In addition to the necessary infrastructure there were other advantages that made New York the ideal location. "Not only is the city steeped in European and, in particular, German culture, but it also provides the perfect environment for setting up and cultivating dense networks of contacts with universities, research institutions and companies and building strong ties between Germany and North America" (Müller). According to the Carnegie Classification, 25% of the 95 research universities are located in the greater New York area. This dense population of research universities makes New York ideal for the purpose of expanding networking contacts with American universities. New York is also situated in close proximity to DoE National Labs like Brookhaven, New Brunswick Laboratory, National Energy Technology Lab, Princeton Plasma Physics Lab and Jefferson Lab. Furthermore, eight of the 50 worldwide “most innovative companies” can also be found there.
The purpose of the GCRI is to cohesively showcase the German research landscape, under its umbrella German research has an opportunity to gain great visibility and enhance its active presence in North America. It allows, "in an unprecedented way, to go above and beyond what individual agencies, organizations, and stakeholders can achieve in the American market" (Müller). The GCRI will further develop collaboration with partners in Germany and North America by bringing together international experts and researchers from academic institutions, industry, and government to enhance communication on the critical challenges of the 21st century in science and technology.
Dr. Halpern continued with an informative presentation on the GCRI's mission, team and an outlook on future events. She explained how GCRI intends to fulfill its mission namely by:
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convening scientific conferences and symposia to examine cutting-edge research and explore solutions to global problems that integrate understandings of science, the economy, and society
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providing a "one-stop shop" for information about the German research landscape and funding sources
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celebrating and promoting German contributions to research and development through lectures and exhibitions
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developing workshops for graduate students and other young researchers to facilitate engagement with German institutions and support them in their careers
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supporting North American universities as they develop strategies to enhance international research collaboration with Germany
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organizing science dinners and other events that bring together international experts and partners from research institutions, industry and government
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conferring awards for lifelong achievement in transatlantic scientific cooperation and other areas
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increasing public engagement with German science and technology (GCRI)
To illustrate the points, Dr. Halpern provided examples of upcoming events: "Harnessing the Power of Life Sciences to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals" with the UN Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations, a "Careers in Germany Informational Workshop" at NYU, an evening debate on "How Effective is the Current Patent System for Global Technological Innovation? Perspectives from the United States and Europe" panel discussion and "The Bilingual Brain" event.
The presentation was followed by a lively question and answer session. Guests also lingered to offer Dr. Halpern suggestions on collaboration, i.e. NIH is interested in the gallery format to be used to teach the public about life science and research. The successful informational GCRI luncheon slowly drew to a close after everyone's questions had been answered and suggestions had been noted and discussed.
