The German Academic Exchange Service, Research Opportunities in Germany, and German Research Funding after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

John Paul Kleiner, Senior Manager, University Relations at DAAD German Academic Exchange Service, will speak on Funding and Research Opportunities in Germany.

Christian Strowa, Head of Division Knowledge Exchange and Network, DAAD, will provide an overview of German Foreign Cultural and Education Policy after February 24, 2022.

The DAAD is the world’s largest funding organisation for the international exchange of students and researchers. Based in Bonn, Germany, the DAAD is part of Germany’s foreign cultural and educational policy (AKBP), which is often described as the “third pillar” of German foreign policy. Following Russia’s attack on Ukraine, it has become necessary to question pre-conceived notions of what this third pillar can – and should – achieve.

Characterised as a “paradigm shift” or “fundamental turning point” (Zeitenwende) by German Chancellor Scholz, the Russian attack on Ukraine marked a rupture not only in German Foreign, Security and Defense Policy, but also in the field of AKBP. After looking at some concrete funding opportunities offered by the DAAD, this talk will focus on how the events of February 24th, 2022 affected academic exchange and scientific co-operation from a German (and European) point of view, taking a closer look at the German notion of science diplomacy and how it is being rethought in terms of a foreign cultural and education “Realpolitik”.

This event was funded by the DAAD with funds from the German Federal Foreign Office (AA).

Sponsored by Joint Initiative in German and European Studies. Co-sponsored by the Centre for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies and Petro Jacyk Program for the Study of Ukraine.