In May, the DFG welcomed a seven-member delegation led by the President of Al-Quds University to its Head Office. The meeting reaffirmed the mutual ties and highlighted opportunities for cooperation between German and Palestinian researchers.

On 19 May 2026, a high-level delegation from Al-Quds University in East Jerusalem visited the DFG Head Office in Bonn. The delegation included the University President Prof. Dr. Imad Abu Kishek, the Dean of Research Prof. Dr. Elham Kateeb and other university representatives. They were accompanied by representatives of the Friends of Al-Quds University association and the DAAD. The visit formed part of the delegation’s tour of Germany, which also included visits to other German research institutions. 

During the approximately two-hour meeting, the meeting participants engaged in detailed discussions on the research profile and current challenges facing the important Palestinian university, which is located in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem. The DFG presented the international funding opportunities it offers which can be used to support collaboration between German and Palestinian researchers. 

German universities play an important role as cooperation partners for Al-Quds University, as does third-party funding provided by German research funding organisations such as the DFG. Over the past decades, the DFG has funded numerous projects involving researchers from Al-Quds University. The DFG offers funding opportunities for German-Palestinian research collaborations through programmes such as its Cooperation with Developing Countries funding line(interner Link) and the TWAS-DFG Cooperation Visits Programme (MENA)(interner Link).

With some 12,000 students, Al-Quds University is one of the most important universities in the Palestinian Territories. The DFG is planning a return visit and aims to further expand cooperation with the Palestinian research community.