Potential Risks of International Cooperation
In September 2023, the DFG published recommendations for international cooperation which also include expectations towards applicants. When planning cooperation with researchers in authoritarian countries in particular, projects must be carefully assessed for potential risks of misuse. These risks should be explicitly addressed in the proposal, along with the intended method of dealing with them.
- Recommendations on Dealing with Risks in International Research Cooperatio(Download)
- Press Release No. 4(interner Link)
What Questions Should Researchers Consider in Terms of Risk Assessment Before Submitting Proposals for Projects with International Partners?
The following questions are intended as guidance for researchers to reflect on before submitting a proposal for projects involving international partners. These questions are based on the recommendations for dealing with risks in international cooperation.
- Are there dependencies on the partner country in the field of research in question, and if so, what are they? Are there any alternative cooperation partners?
- Is it possible for the results obtained or the knowledge generated to be misused by third parties?
- Are there objectives beyond the project that the partner or partners will pursue? For what purposes could the results potentially be used?
- Does the partner institution conduct research for military or comparable purposes?
- Given the political constitution of the cooperation country, is it conceivable or probable that there is systematic interception of research data or experience?
- Are there circumstances preventing the conclusion of a written agreement regarding the rights and obligations of the project participants and implementation of the joint project?
- Are there reasons to assume that a written agreement would have no legal effect?
- Is it possible that there are restrictions relating to freedom of research, for example with regard to the publication of project results?
The recommendations adopted by the DFG’s Joint Committee in September 2023 complement the existing recommendations on “Handling Security-Relevant Research” issued by Leopoldina and DFG in 2014 (revised in November 2022), specifically with regard to the funding of international cooperation projects and additional risks associated with cooperation.
The recommendations are also to be incorporated in the review and decision-making processes and are therefore also addressed to reviewers and members of decision-making bodies.
Further Information
On country-specific collaboration and region-specific cooperation guidelines: