111 Ian MacDonald Blvd
North York
ON M3J 1P3
York University is excited to host a special event dedicated to strengthening research collaborations between York researchers and German institutions. As part of the global celebration of 100 years of DAAD, this event expands the conversation to include Germany’s broader research ecosystem, bringing together key funding organizations such as DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), DFG (German Research Foundation), and EURAXESS.
Germany is home to some of the world’s leading research institutions, cutting-edge innovation clusters, and world-class funding opportunities. York already maintains strong connections with German universities through faculty partnerships, co-authored research, and exchange programs. Between 2019 and 2024, York researchers co-authored over 1,200 publications with German partners, spanning fields such as physics, engineering, medicine, and social sciences.
This event aims to:
✅ Introduce key funding opportunities from DAAD, DFG, and EURAXESS
✅ Showcase success stories of York-Germany collaborations
✅ Provide guidance on connecting with Germany’s Clusters of Excellence
✅ Offer practical strategies for securing bilateral and EU research funding
Join us in May 2025 for an interactive session featuring expert presentations, success stories, and networking opportunities with leading funding agencies and fellow researchers. Whether you are an early-career researcher or a senior faculty member, this event will equip you with the insights and tools needed to expand your international research collaborations with Germany and Europe.
Who should attend?
- York researchers looking to initiate or build stronger partnerships with German institutions, particularly in the fields of Life Sciences and Health, Natural Sciences and Engineering, Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities
- Those curious about engaging with EU research funding and mobility programs with a focus on Germany
Let’s strengthen York-Germany research collaboration and explore new frontiers in global research partnerships!
Draft Program
Date: May 1, 2025
Time: 09:30 AM – 12:30 PM (followed by networking lunch)
Location: Private Dining Room - York University Keele Campus
Hosts: Luann Good Gingrich, Academic Director, Research Commons & Ellianne Feenstra, Manager Global Partnerships York University
Event Overview
This session aims to provide York researchers—both seasoned and early-career—with practical guidance on collaborating with German institutions. It highlights funding opportunities through DAAD, DFG, and EURAXESS, offers insights into Germany’s research landscape, Clusters of Excellence, and fosters discussions on best practices in research collaboration.
Program
- Welcome and Opening Remarks (15 min)
- Dr. Amir Asif, Vice-President Research & Innovation, York University
- Christian Strowa, Director, DAAD North America
- The German Research Landscape and Funding Ecosystem
- Introduction to DAAD Funding Opportunities (45 minutes)
Speaker: John Paul Kleiner, Senior Manager, University Relations, DAAD- Overview of the German research landscape and strategy
- DAAD funding options for faculty, postdocs, and early-career researchers
- Application process and success strategies
- DFG: German Research Foundation and Bilateral Funding with Canada (30 minutes)
Speaker: Ms. Bettina Schuffert, Program Officer DFG- DFG’s role in funding collaborative research
- Joint Canada-Germany research grants
Break – 15 minutes
- EURAXESS: Connecting with EU Research Networks (30 minutes)
Speaker: Mr. Jackson Howard , Regional Coordinator EURAXESS North America (virtual)- European mobility and funding programs for researchers
- Opportunities for York faculty to integrate into EU-funded consortia
- York-Germany Research Success Stories: Strengthening Partnerships (45 min)
Panel discussion with York faculty members who have established collaborations with German institutions. Topics include:
- Best practices for initiating and maintaining international partnerships
- Insights from projects funded by DAAD, DFG, and EU grants
- Challenges and opportunities in working with German research institutions
Panelists:
- Professor Ute Lehrer, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change
- Associate Professor Heather MacRae, Political Science Program, Faculty of Graduate Studies
- Professor and Canada Research Chair Nikolaus Troje, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Professor ORU-Center for Vision Research
Moderated by: DAAD Visiting Assistant Professor Micha Fiedlschuster, Coordinator of the Graduate Diploma in European Studies, Department of Politics
- Networking Lunch (12:30 PM – 1:30 PM)
An opportunity to connect with speakers, funding representatives, and fellow researchers.
Special guests: Representatives from DAAD, DFG, EURAXESS, the German Consulate.
