DFG Takes Part in Science Events Held under the Polish EU Council Presidency

In addition to focusing on security, the recent Polish EU Council Presidency placed particular emphasis on research, innovation and EU enlargement – as reflected in the adoption of the Warsaw Declaration on the strategic role of the future EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation in March 2025. In this connection, the DFG was represented at two high-profile events in Berlin and Brussels, thereby supporting the commitment of its Polish partner organisations to the European integration process. 

Baltic Energy and Cyber Security Forum, Polish Embassy Berlin, 17 June 2025

At the Baltic Energy and Cyber Security Forum(externer Link) (in German only) held at the new Polish Embassy on Unter den Linden in Berlin, the DFG presented opportunities for international research funding. 

Picture of the attendees at the Baltic Energy and Cyber Security Forum in Berlin on 17 June 2025

Opening and panel discussion on “Energy Infrastructure and Cyber Defence Cooperation” with high-level political representatives of Poland, Germany and Estonia at the Baltic Energy and Cyber Security Forum, Berlin, 17 June 2025

© Pavel Sepi

The forum’s podium and panel discussions brought together more than 80 security and energy experts from Poland, Germany, the Baltic States and other EU countries. The event offered a platform for in-depth dialogue on how regional cooperation in the Baltic Sea region can be strengthened by means of joint research projects, the exchange of expertise and closer links between the research community, private industry and security authorities. The forum was jointly organised for the first time by the Polish Embassy and the Zentrum für Historische Forschung der Polnischen Akademie der Wissenschaften (PAN)(externer Link) (in German only) together with the German Energy Agency (dena)(externer Link) under the Polish-German Energy Platform(externer Link) (funded by the Federal Foreign Office). The DFG has long supported research collaboration between universities in the Baltic region in various areas of basic research, such as through the Research Training Group “Baltic Peripeties”, a cooperation between Greifswald, Tartu, and Trondheim.

International Conference on Transnational Science Cooperation, National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR), Brussels office, 23 - 24 June 2025

The question of whether deeper cooperation within the European Research Area could lead to greater strength and cohesion was also the focus of the international conference on Transnational Science Cooperation(externer Link) in Brussels that was organised by several Polish research organisations.

Picture at the panel discussion with attendees of Polish and European science organisations including FNP, NCN and Science Europe at the International Conference on Transnational Science Cooperation, Brussels, 23–24 June 2025

Panel discussion on the role of research funding organisations in strengthening the European Research Area, featuring leaders of Polish and European science organisations including FNP, NCN and Science Europe at the International Conference on Transnational Science Cooperation, Brussels, 23-24 June 2025

© Pavel Sepi

At the invitation of the Brussels offices of the National Academy for Academic Exchange (NAWA)(externer Link), the Polish National Centre for Research and Development NCBR(externer Link) and the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN)(externer Link), representatives of various German, Polish and other European research funding organisations came together with representatives of specific EU research programmes. The conference featured multiple discussion rounds on topics such as better ways to link national and EU research and innovation strategies, the strengths and development potential of Poland as a research location, approaches to achieving balanced transnational mobility in education and research, and future-oriented models for supporting research funding organisations. The DFG took this opportunity to engage in in-depth discussion with representatives of Science Europe and the EU Liaison Office of the German Research Organisations (KoWi)(externer Link) on the topic of “EU Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence”. In bilateral talks with its Polish partner organisations – the Foundation for Polish Science (FNP)(externer Link), the National Science Centre (NCN)(externer Link) and PAN – the DFG was also able to lay the groundwork for deepening cooperation with Poland beyond the Council Presidency.

Further Information on the Polish EU Council Presidency:

Here you can find further information on the results of the Polish Presidency of the European Union(externer Link).