Discussions at the 5th Polish-German Science Meeting focused on the new European Union framework for science diplomacy adopted by the Council of the European Union in May. To discuss these issues, the leaders of 15 German and Polish research organisations and institutions met in Berlin on 8 and 9 October with representatives of the research ministries of both countries and of the European Commission. The high-level meeting was organised by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) and its two Polish partner organisations, the Foundation for Polish Science (FNP) and the National Science Centre (NCN).

The two-day meeting began at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Berlin with an exchange between representatives of the research community and policymakers. The participating research organisations continued these discussions the following day at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. They emphasised the importance of ongoing German-Polish dialogue for cohesion and resilience in Europe. Discussions also centred on strengthening research excellence. Emphasis was placed on the Dios-curi Programme – which is coordinated by the Max Planck Society in collaboration with the NCN – with the aim of establishing innovative centres of excellence in Poland for outstanding researchers.

The ‘Nexus’ bottom-up funding instrument for research networks of excellence at EU level – introduced into the FP10 negotiations in March by the DFG, the German Rectors’ Conference and the German Science Council – was also discussed in greater detail. Furthermore, the discussions focused on the handling of security-relevant research and research collaboration under difficult political conditions. This also included the call for proposals recently published by the FNP to fund research teams working on dual-use technologies, as well as further funding programmes to support Ukrainian researchers.

German and Polish representatives from the participating academic institutions discussed in particular the extent to which they are already operating in line with the new EU framework for science diplomacy, and how cooperation between the academic and political spheres could be further optimised with a view to establishing a common approach to science diplomacy. “We have long recognised that science lies exactly at the heart of global opportunities, geopolitical risks and resilience. Therefore, safeguarding academic openness and freedom as well as strengthening shared values is just as important as being aware of the hazards associated with scientific and technological cooperation across national borders,” said DFG President Professor Dr. Katja Becker.

The heads of the NCN and FNP also highlighted the key importance of Poland and Germany to Europe: “As neighbouring countries at the heart of Europe, both have an important role to play in promoting cohesion within the European Union. Together with other European partners, they can make a significant contribution to maintaining stability in Europe through dialogue and cooperation,” said NCN Director Krzysztof Jóźwiak.

All three organisations also stressed their continued commitment to standing firmly alongside their Ukrainian partners: “We are determined to continue our support for the research sector in Ukraine to ensure that Ukrainian researchers remain firmly connected to the European and international research community,” said FNP President Krzysztof Pyrć.

The Polish-German Science Meeting is jointly organised by the DFG and its Polish partner organisations FNP and NCN. Held approximately every two years since 2017, with the venue alternating between Poland and Germany, it serves as a platform for dialogue between the two countries’ key public research organisations. The series provides an opportunity to discuss issues of current interest with the aim of consolidating bilateral relations and strengthening joint action in Europe. The next Polish-German Science Meeting is scheduled to take place in 2028.

The following institutions from Germany and Poland participated in the 5th Polish-German Science Meeting: Humboldt Foundation, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation), German-Polish Science Foundation, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, German Rectors’ Conference, Leibniz Association, Max Planck Society, German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland, Foundation for Polish Science, National Science Centre Poland, Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange, Polish Academy of Sciences, General Council for Science and Higher Education, Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, Ministry of Science and Higher Education Poland, European Commission (online).