Mon. Feb 7, 2011 - DFG and NSERC sign new agreement in Ottawa

New agreement to strengthen collaboration between Canadian and German research communities

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has signed an agreement with the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, the German Research Foundation) to strengthen collaboration between Canadian and German research communities. This will be accomplished by both countries jointly supporting innovative training programs for highly qualified students and postdoctoral fellows from Canada and the Republic of Germany. Dr. Suzanne Fortier, President of NSERC, and Dr. Matthias Kleiner, President of DFG, announced the agreement today.

The agreement will allow the funding agencies to align application and funding processes, within existing budget envelopes, for NSERC’s Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) Program and DFG’s International Research Training Groups (IRTG). Researchers from Canada and Germany will develop truly integrated training programs for the next generation of talented innovators and discoverers. Students and postdoctoral fellows involved in these collaborative initiatives will have the opportunity to address significant scientific challenges, benefit from being part of international teams, enhance their technical and professional skills, and gain exposure to some of the world’s best research labs.

For further information please visit www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca