idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
The German federal state of Baden-Württemberg is promoting international scientific cooperation with a funding initiative totaling €24 million. Central to this is the first EU partnership between the leading American university Harvard and the German University of Excellence Heidelberg.
With its “Global Partnership in Science” package, Baden-Württemberg is expanding its opportunities to offer new prospects to top researchers and young scientists from abroad. The state is thus systematically expanding its strategy to strengthen innovation and research excellence. Minister President Winfried Kretschmann and Minister of Science Petra Olschowski presented their plans to the cabinet in Stuttgart today (September 23rd).
“As a state with a long tradition of excellence in science, we warmly welcome international researchers,” said Minister President Winfried Kretschmann after the cabinet meeting. "We are particularly pleased, of course, about the agreement between Harvard University and Heidelberg University. We are making a clear commitment to academic freedom and the international character of science in Baden-Württemberg. We want to make our state even more attractive as a magnet for top international research talent. In addition, through a program from the Baden-Württemberg Foundation, we offer research opportunities for scientists from countries with increasingly restricted academic freedom. This is an important step in shaping the future of our state and strengthening our competitiveness in the global market. Yet it should also send a signal supporting the freedom of research, teaching, and the pursuit of knowledge."
Minister of Science Petra Olschowski added: “The fact that Harvard University has chosen a university in Baden-Württemberg for an exclusive partnership proves that our research and science location is one of the best in the world. In the international competition for the best minds and ideas, we are creating attractive conditions for independent and reliable research and innovation. These are the foundations for our prosperity and the further development of our state.”
The Rector of Heidelberg University, Prof. Dr. Frauke Melchior, explained: “The institutionally anchored partnership with Harvard University is strategically forward-looking. The cooperation is intended to serve as a model for deeper transatlantic cooperation between Europe and the US. Science throughout Baden-Württemberg will also benefit from this cooperation in the long term, because we can give our numerous partners access to our high-caliber network.”
The “Global Partnership in Science” package approved by the cabinet comprises the following three funding measures:
• Ten million euros for the Global Institution Program will support the expansion of the long-standing contacts between Heidelberg University and Harvard University into a permanent partnership. This structural and sustainable deepening of the cooperation makes an outstanding contribution to further enhancing the position of Baden-Württemberg as a center of science at the international level. The planned funding measures include research stays for up to 50 scientists from Harvard at Heidelberg University, as well as additional measures such as the establishment of a joint innovation hub.
• Ten million euros for the Global Professorship Program will enable universities to quickly and flexibly make particularly attractive, individually tailored appointment offers to top international scientists. This initiative builds on existing funding programs from the Ministry of Science and further develops them.
• 3.6 million euros will be invested in the Global Fellowship Program. It offers temporary research stays for young international scientists. The three internationally oriented Institutes for Advanced Studies (IAS) in Freiburg, Tübingen, and Konstanz offer guest stays/research positions of up to two years for up to 14 postdoctoral researchers from all fields of study. These are intended to enable outstanding research to be continued under the best conditions and to facilitate networking in Baden-Württemberg's excellent research environment.
“We are convinced that these investments will pay off in further enhancing Baden-Württemberg's international position as a leading center of science,” said Science Minister Petra Olschowski. “We are increasing the attractiveness of our universities for top scientists from all around the world, strengthening international cooperation, and promoting the exchange of young scientists.”
Criteria of this press release:
Journalists, Scientists and scholars, Students
interdisciplinary
transregional, national
Cooperation agreements, Science policy
English
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