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Germany is a key research and development investor and a leader of cutting-edge science and technology, not only within Europe, but throughout the world. Australia recognises great potential in further enhancing science and research cooperation with Germany in areas of mutual benefit.
The German Government continues to make significant investments in research and innovation. In June 2009, the German Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) announced an €18 billion package to extend three key research and innovation initiatives that had been launched over the last decade, constituting the single largest investment to date.
Germany also has a well articulated international science and research strategy and identifies the building of stronger research linkages with the Asia-Pacific region as a strategic priority.
The main framework for Australian-German partnerships and collaborations is provided by the Australia-Germany Treaty on Science and Technology Cooperation, signed in 1976. The Australian Research Council also has a Memorandum of Understanding with its German counterpart, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG).
Through the Department’s International Science Linkages (ISL) program, a series of bilateral scientific workshops have been supported over the last four years, with themes of biodiversity, nanotechnology, water and, most recently, solar energy technologies. The workshops were jointly funded with the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF). For more information on the Australia-Germany workshops, please see below.
In terms of joint publications with Australian researchers, Germany is ranked fourth behind the US and UK and just recently, China. The largest number of joint publications are in the clinical sciences, physical sciences, biological sciences and engineering.
The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator the Hon. Kim Carr visited Germany in March 2008. This was his first bilateral visit in Europe shortly after taking office, demonstrating the strength and importance the Australian Government places on its bilateral relationship with Germany.
Summary of the Australia – Germany Workshops
Visit of German Delegation to Australia for Discussions on Advanced Solar Photovoltaics, 15-19 February 2010
A German delegation of fourteen scientists and officials visited Australia from 15-19 February 2010 to explore opportunities for enhanced bilateral science and technology cooperation, particularly in the field of solar photovoltaics (PV).
A successful week-long program of site visits was arranged to various leading research institutions in Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle and Canberra to showcase Australia’s world-class research in clean energy technologies.
To complement the site visits, the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) organised a scientific workshop on solar PV in Canberra on Thursday 18 February on behalf of the Department of Innovation.
The site visits and workshop brought together eminent Australian and German researchers in the field, resulting in enhanced researcher linkages and an increased awareness of potential areas for future mutually beneficial collaboration.
Minister Carr with the German science delegation, 15 March 2010.
Australia – Germany Workshop on Sustainable Urban Water Management, held in Melbourne, Australia, 1-4 April 2008
This workshop developed a number of joint research projects to address the practical transition to sustainable urban water systems based on two cities (one from Australia and one from Germany) as case studies ('twinning project'), covering:
- Transitional costs and how the community can afford them
- Resource recovery from water, wastewater and industry systems
- Whole of urban water systems analysis and modelling
- Sustainable urban re development addressing water, energy, nutrients, and community costs
- Aquifer recharge of groundwater in urban areas and emerging pollutants
- Optimising design and operation of urban systems to minimise cost
- Green House development of new pricing systems based on 'smart' metering.
Germany - Australia Workshop on Nanotechnology, held in Germany, 23-24 November 2006
The Australian Academy of Science organised an Australian delegation to participate in a workshop in Karlsruhe, Germany, which was a satellite meeting of the international symposium Nanofair 2006, November 21-22. The workshop highlighted the breadth of nanotechnology research both within Australia and in Germany, and provided the opportunity for a more in-depth discussion of research and identification of possible collaborations.
Australia – Germany Workshop on Biodiversity, held in Canberra, Australia, 13-17 March 2006
The Australian Academy of Science organised two separate scientific workshops on biodiversity and plant imaging, held at the Shine Dome in Canberra. The workshops comprised presentations and roundtable discussions, and participants were able to take the opportunity to network over the two days. Concurrent intergovernmental meetings to discuss science policy issues were also organised, as was a program of nanotechnology-related visits for two members of the German delegation.
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