(10.05.22) In the context of the recent Intergovernmental Consultations between India and Germany, the Indian Minister of Science Dr Jitendra Singh met with DFG President Prof Katja Becker. In the open and effective discussion in Berlin, the two policymakers discussed a wide range of topics, including the organization of the two science systems, science-driven funding of basic research, the relevance of diversity and equal opportunity in research as well as the importance of biomedical research.

“From the perspective of DFG, as well as from my personal perspective, this was a very important meeting at the right time. On the basis of our discussions, we will take concrete steps to develop and deepen the scientific collaborations with our Indian partners. The cooperation with India has great potential and can play a significant role in meeting today’s global challenges. I am happy that DFG has an India Office which can support the day-to-day cooperation with India”, Prof. Becker stated after the meeting.

The Indian delegation was particularly interested in the organizational model of DFG, which includes a significant funding budget, political independence and exclusively science-driven decision procedures. Indian policy makers are currently deliberating about the organizational set-up of the planned National Research Foundation (NRF) which could become a new partner to DFG.

The particular openness of the discussion is made possible, among other things, by the long-standing and close cooperation between the DFG and various Indian governmental partner agencies. Recently, this cooperation was further deepened with the agreement on a new funding activity for Indo-German International Research Training Groups (IRTGs). The first IRTG proposals from the Indian and German research communities are expected later this year.