Russia and Germany - Partnership of Ideas

Cooperation in science and research is an important pillar of German-Russian relations. Both the German-Russian Year of Education, Research and Innovation (2011-2012) and the Russia country campaign that was launched in early 2012 are expressions of this cooperation. The objective is to raise awareness of Germany as a key location for innovation and to make use of synergies in the target region.

Germany intends to use the country-specific campaign, which is designed to run for two years (until 2014), as a vehicle for presenting itself as an attractive partner in education, research and innovation and increasing the visibility of Germany's top-quality research and cutting-edge technology in Russia. The thematic focus areas are nanotechnology, environmental technology/energy efficiency, ICT for healthcare (e-health) and optical technologies.

Some of the medium-term objectives include initiating cooperation projects between German and Russian research institutions and innovation leaders in industry, establishing cooperation in training qualified staff and providing the impetus to intensify the exchange of knowledge - and economic cooperation - between the two countries. In addition, cooperation with partners outside the metropolitan areas of Moscow and St. Petersburg is to be initiated or intensified.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is supporting German research institutions and small and medium-sized enterprises in establishing themselves and increasing their visibility in Russia. A network system approach has been adopted to provide an equal platform for both research and innovation. Germany enjoys international acclaim thanks to its established cluster and networking structures. As these structures cover the entire value-added chain, they are the perfect partners for implementing the campaign. A competition was held to select innovation networks and clusters from all over Germany working in the campaign's focus areas. The winners are receiving BMBF funding for a period of 24 months, which is aimed at increasing their visibility in Russia and intensifying cooperation with Russian partners in many different ways. A distinctive feature of the Russia country campaign is that it also targets aspects of vocational education and training.

Russia country campaign at the "Open Innovations Expo" in Moscow

Rusnanotech Moskau ©Research in GermanyWhich innovations will shape the world in 2030? How can these innovations be developed efficiently and appropriately? And above all: Which technologies already hold the promise of breakthrough developments? These and other issues were the focus of the "Moscow International Forum for Innovative Development - Open Innovations" at the "Open Innovations Expo", previously known as RUSNANOTECH, which was held in Moscow from 31 October - 3 November 2012.

The focus areas of the four campaign networks - optical technologies, nanotechnology and environmental technology - meant that they were predestined to be featured at the new "Open Innovations Expo". A good opportunity therefore to introduce the expertise of these networks to the Russia country campaign, present the latest research ideas at the BMBF's Expo stand and expand networking activities.

The following four research and development networks were introduced at the opening of the "Open Innovations Expo" on 31 October 2012 and reported on their existing networks and experience gained in innovation processes:

• NanoBRIDGE - Bridging of the German and Russian Nanotechnology Excellence
• ENNA - Energy Efficiency and Sustainability of Buildings
• SOYUZ Bioenergy - "SOYUZ Marketing Russia"
• Light4LIFE - Marketing for Germany, Center of Innovation in Optical Technologies

Contact: Ilona Roberts, Promoting Innovation in Germany, International Bureau of the BMBF at DLR e.V., ilona.roberts@dlr.de

For more information about the Russia country campaign, please visit the Research in Germany website.