Focus on scientific careers between Germany and the USA

The German Academic International Network (GAIN) invites young scientists to its 25th annual conference in Boston from 29 to 31 August. The GAIN conference is the largest platform outside Europe for international scientific careers in Germany. Every year, it brings together researchers with high-ranking representatives from science, politics and business and is aimed in particular at postdocs and early-career scientists from Germany who are currently working on the American continent. The fair is also open to international young talent in the USA. This year's conference will take place under changed circumstances, as science in the USA is currently under considerable pressure.

For three days, the GAIN conference will focus on Germany as a centre of science. Jointly organised by the Humboldt Foundation, the DAAD and the DFG, the GAIN conference offers postdocs intensive advice on career planning at universities, research institutions or in research-based industry in Germany. Over 25 workshops will provide insights into appointment procedures, tenure-track careers and working in international organisations. At the traditional "Talent Fair", around 80 German research institutions and universities will also present career opportunities and vacancies. At the same time, the Humboldt Foundation, DAAD and DFG will provide information about their funding programmes for 
early-career researchers.

Science in transatlantic solidarity

"Over the last several years, we have been witness to strong trends in the direction of renationalisation throughout the world. It is an error to believe that an individual nation can meet its needs within its own borders! Progress arises through the sharing of experience, expertise and information, through a diversity of perspectives. Hampering the global exchange of knowledge, restricting academic and scientific freedom through national regulation and government paternalism jeopardises not only democracy but also prosperity and humankind's future viability. In Germany, research is independent and still receives basic funding. Our constitution guarantees scientific freedom. We firmly believe this is rightly so. And we are very glad that in the coming years we will be able to grant more fellowships and research awards to researchers at various levels of their careers through the German government's Global Minds Initiative - and that, in doing so, it will be possible to build even stronger long-term collaborative networks. The more tightly we can knit these kinds of networks between Germany and the world, the better our own achievements will be and the more stable the world we live in will be", said the President of the Humboldt Foundation, Robert Schlögl.

"For a quarter of a century, the GAIN conference has been a successful forum for dialogue on international scientific careers and the attractiveness of Germany as a place to do science. Over the decades, German universities have established an extremely close network of partnerships with American universities – and have always competed for the best talent. Today, with around 75,000 researchers at universities and public research institutions, Germany is the second most important host country for international scientists after the United States. At the same time, this year's GAIN conference is taking place at a time when American universities and research institutions are facing particular challenges, especially of a political nature. This makes it all the more important right now to support our partners in the United States, to show our solidarity and to work together to maintain and, wherever possible, expand German-American university cooperation," said DAAD President Joybrato Mukherjee.

"Since the beginning of the year, barely a day has passed without new forms of repression being levelled at science and the humanities in the United States. All of us, the research community here in Germany and around the world, are watching this development with horror. We are appalled at the unimaginable extent to which freedom of research and academic independence are being curtailed in a country that has long been regarded as the gold standard for free thinking and scientific excellence. Institutions are being closed, projects cancelled, data sets damaged, countless researchers are losing their jobs, while international scholars and students are being stripped of their residence permits. It is therefore particularly important to us to express our solidarity with our colleagues in the United States and to support scientists who are no longer able to carry out their work freely. The German science system and the institutions participating in GAIN stand worldwide for academic freedom, openness to the world and, of course, equal opportunities. Maintaining and further strengthening transatlantic scientific relations is therefore a particular concern of the DFG," said DFG President Katja Becker.

High-level political and scientific participation 

The event will be opened on 29 August by BMFTR State Secretary Rolf-Dieter Jungk and the presidents of the Humboldt Foundation, DAAD and DFG. Six state science ministers and numerous representatives from the Bundestag, science, industry and non-university research are also expected to attend. The GAIN conference alternates annually between the US East and West Coasts – and this year will be held in Boston, where over 600 registrations have already been received.

About GAIN

Since 2003, the German Academic International Network has been networking and strengthening German scientists worldwide, supporting their return to German universities and research institutes, and promoting their interests vis-à-vis political decision-makers. GAIN is a joint initiative of the Humboldt Foundation, DAAD and DFG, supported by the BMFTR. Associated members include the Fraunhofer Society, the Helmholtz Association, the Leibniz Association, the Max Planck Society, the German Rectors' Conference, the German National Academic Foundation and German Cancer Aid. Numerous other partner organisations from science, industry and politics are regularly involved in the network.

Further information

• GAIN25 will take place from 29 to 31 August at the Marriott Hotel in Boston.
• Conference programme: GAIN25 conference programme | GAIN(externer Link)
• Latest news about the conference on social media: #GoGAIN25
• Press enquiries and interview requests: presse@daad.de(externer Link)

If you have any questions, please contact
Anna Oberle-Brill, Programme Director GAIN, oberle-brill@daad.de(externer Link), +1 (212) 758-3223-217 
(please note the time difference of minus 6 hours (New York))

Press contact at Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Kristine Logemann, Head of Press, Communications and Marketing, +49 228 833-144, presse@avh.de(externer Link)

DAAD
Michael Flacke, Press Officer, +49 228 882-454, presse@daad.de(externer Link)

DFG
Benedikt Bastong, Press and Public Relations Officer, +49 228 885-2109, presse@dfg.de(externer Link)