DFG Office North America

collage_bueros — DFG Office North America: New York City, Washington DC and San Francisco

The USA and Canada play a leading role within the context of increasing globalization in science and research. North America – and especially the USA – continues to be the most competitive research region in the world. More than a quarter of the global funds spent on research and development are invested here, and more than half of all DFG-funded research fellows travel to North America after completing their doctorate for their important first career step.

The DFG maintains regional expertise at its headquarters in Bonn as well as running its own North American office in three locations: Washington D.C., New York City and San Francisco.

In Washington D.C., the DFG maintains close ties with North American funding organizations, facilitates transatlantic research projects, and helps to shape science policy dialogue.
In New York, the focus is on the marketing of research funding, an effort conducted jointly with German partner organizations such as the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH), and in collaboration with German universities in North America. Together, these two offices facilitate contact between scientists and researchers in Germany and North America, support early-career researchers here on a DFG fellowship, and organize outreach activities to showcase German research regionally.
With the San Francisco office, the DFG is tapping into a region that is home to some of North America's most prestigious universities as well as renowned IT and high-tech industrial companies with strong research capabilities. The numerous local foundations active in research funding are also a point of interest in the DFG's North America Office activities. The focus of the San Francisco office is on building new networks, organizing events, and monitoring transfer processes in the region.

Calls for Proposals in North America

Further Information

Find Research Partners in Germany

Further Information

News

24th Annual GAIN Conference

Around 500 participants, including 270 postdocs, took the opportunity to gather information and exchange ideas August 23-25 in San Francisco at the largest networking event for international academic careers in Germany.

Impressions from the networking reception in New York: Registration

Information and Networking Reception for Postdocs in New York

Internationally mobile postdocs met at the invitation of the DFG, the German Academic International Network (GAIN), the German Center for Research and Innovation New York (DWIH NY) and 1014.

Career Booster North America: Dr.-Ing. Esther Lagemann

Mechanical engineer Dr.-Ing. Esther Lagemann works at the University of Washington in Seattle on gaining a better understanding of wall shear stress in fluid dynamics.

Voices from the World of Research

This section provides insight into the practice of cooperation between researchers in North America and Germany – from networking to jointly funded research projects and research associations.

To the workshop report (NSF-DFG Echem)

DFG-NSF Research Conference Series

Statements: Women and Girls in Science Day 2024

Ona Ambrozaite

Ph.D. Candidate in Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University and WiSDA Board Member

Finding your support system is crucial in order to enable initiatives like the Women in Science Diplomacy Association (WiSDA), founded in 2023. I am so fortunate to work with devoted, talented, and kind women leaders -- in diplomacy, NGOs, academia, and more -- to push forward and break any ceilings out there for women in STEM.

Dr. Derya Buyuktanir Karacan

Professorial Lecturer and Researcher, George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs

We must break down barriers that hinder women's participation in science. Promoting women in science leadership is a catalyst for building stronger and more equitable institutions. It is not only about achieving gender parity but also about amplifying the voices and impact of women scientists worldwide.

Evelina Santa-Kahle

Science Counselor, German Embassy in Washington DC, Co-Founder, Women in Science Diplomacy Association (WiSDA)

I want us women to have an equal say in science and science diplomacy – neither is complete without female aspiration, achievements, and contributions to society.

Giusi Condorelli, MD

Science Attaché, Italian Embassy in Washington DC, Co-founder, Women in Science Diplomacy Association (WiSDA)

I strongly believe in the importance of role models. The impact women can make on girls, students, and peers is incredible, both in terms of steering them towards careers and in boosting their confidence.

Further Information

Overview

To maintain and extend contacts with current and former German DFG award holders in the United States. The goal is both to facilitate the return of young researchers to Germany and to establish networks with researchers who choose to stay in the United States, and also to motivate them for lasting collaboration with Germany.
To expand and support cooperation with partner organisations in the USA working in the field of science and research policy, especially the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
To provide US universities and research institutions with information on Germany as a location of science and research and on opportunities for research cooperation between the two countries, especially within the scope of DFG-funded projects and programmes.
To expand and foster contacts with US DFG alumni, such as Mercator visiting professors and researchers who worked on DFG-funded projects in Germany.
To follow science and research policy developments in the United States and identify and assess the fields relevant to the DFG with respect to basic research.