European Cooperation
The process of European integration and an emerging "European Research Area" led the DFG to focus particular attention on scientific and research cooperation in Europe. The range of cross-border projects meanwhile extends from ordinary academic exchange grants and fellowships to financial support for scientific events. Long-term activities include cooperation within the framework of International Research Training Groups, Collaborative Research Centres and trilateral projects between Germany, Israel and Palestine.
With the ERA-Net scheme, the European Commission promotes collaboration between the national research funding agencies. Since the Sixth Framework Programme, ERA-Net has been a key instrument for the integration of the European Research Area (ERA). ERA-Nets exist in a wide range of scientific disciplines.
The EUROCORES (European Collaborative Research) Scheme is a framework created by the European Science Foundation (ESF) in 2000 to promote Europe-wide collaboration on particular research topics.
DFG Position Paper on EU Research Funding
Research funding provided by the European Union plays a considerable part in shaping the scientific landscape in Europe. As the biggest science-driven research funding organisation in Europe, therefore, the DFG considers it its duty to participate in the discussion on the structure of EU research funding. Its goal is to create the best possible conditions for scientific research in Europe. After all, “knowledge” and research are the continent’s most important resources and the basis for technological advances and innovation. The DFG has formulated its position, as well as its expectations and recommendations for the future funding of research and innovation by the EU, in a paper. These relate primarily to three different subject areas: the promotion of early career researchers, different approaches to funding cooperation projects, and the funding of research infrastructures.
European Commission’s Green Paper “From Challenges to Opportunities: Towards a Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation Funding”
In response to a consultation with the EU Commission on its Green Paper “From Challenges to Opportunities: Towards a Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation Funding”, the DFG carried out a survey of their review boards. It has now published the results as part of the discussion on the future of EU research funding.
