Playing an active part in European collaboration 

The European collaboration in health research and the development of a European infrastructure support progress in medical practice. 15% of all research funding in Europe is spent on international projects. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research is strongly involved in the implementation of the European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation “Horizon 2020” which links all funding programmes on research and innovation of the European Commission. The funding strategy of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research includes the following three areas:

European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI)

The European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures aims to identify the need for research infrastructure in Europe and promote its development. The BMBF supports ESFRI-Projects which are of fundamental importance for clinical research.

Joint Programming Initiatives (JPI)

Joint Programming Initiatives (JPI) are measures which are established and funded by EU Member States. They place a thematic focus on the global scientific and societal challenges of the coming decades. When launching the initiative in 2008, a total of ten JPIs were established.

Promotion of the European Research Area (ERA)

ERA Networks are an essential tool of the European Commission to fund important research topics. ERA stands for the European Research Area. Ministries and other funders from across Europe join forces, financially supported by the European Commission, to harmonise their national activities. The aim is to jointly fund international research projects.