As knowledge-based economies, France and Germany attach particular importance to the areas of education, research and innovation. Innovation is the mainspring of prosperity and quality of life.

Federal Minister Anja Karliczek and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris in March 2018

Germany and France are engaged in an exchange of information on their respective national research and innovation strategies which enables them to take joint action. Their bilateral cooperation plays an important part in ensuring Europe’s future. Furthermore, the two countries want to act as drivers for the development of a European Research Area (ERA) that is based on excellence and has an international impact.

Regular meetings

Cooperation in education, research and innovation is a central topic of exchange at the Franco-German Council of Ministers. The research ministers from both countries come together for regular meetings taking place alternately in Germany and France. For each Council meeting, priority topics are identified which are of particular importance for both countries. The initiatives launched at the Council meetings have a European dimension and are aimed at effectively coordinating cooperation at the highest political level.

Franco-German research cooperation forums have been taking place on a regular basis since 2002 and play a critical role in the countries’ collaboration. They are aimed at coordinating research and innovation strategies at a high political level. The most recent Forum was held in Paris on 8 December 2014 and was the fifth of its kind with the previous ones having taken place in Paris (2002), Potsdam (2005), Paris (2008) and Berlin (2011). The priority areas of Franco-German cooperation that were agreed at the fifth Forum include information and communication technologies, the humanities and social sciences and energy research. The next Forum which is set to take place in Germany in 2018 will develop these measures further. Cooperation by the two countries at European level focuses on climate research, non-energy resources and shaping the European Research Area.

Working together to protect our climate and ensure the sustainability of our energy System

Germany and France play a key role in shaping Europe’s new energy strategy. Both countries are faced with the challenge of having to radically reform their energy systems. A reliable and affordable energy supply can only be achieved if countries join forces. That is why the joint Franco-German research programme features, for example, the topic of grid expansion as well as the joint development of novel materials.

Research for an innovative and resilient society

Germany and France have been cooperating successfully on civil security research for a number of years now. Investigating and developing new cybersecurity solutions is crucial for making the two countries fit for the future and is a field of strategic importance at European level. Germany and France plan to strengthen their cooperation in this area to safeguard Europe’s sovereignty with regard to key enabling technologies, running security analyses and developing reliable software‑intensive systems.

Technological progress and social innovation go hand in hand. That is why the humanities, the social sciences and economics play an important role in addressing the grand social challenges by providing sound recommendations to policy-makers, businesses and society. Germany and France have initiated specific funding measures targeted at these disciplines.

Supporting global health

Infectious diseases are among the key global challenges on which researchers are working to offer solutions. By focusing their cooperation on infection research, Germany and France are jointly addressing the global threat of infectious diseases and complementing measures at European and multilateral level.

Exchanges in vocational training

The Franco-German Commission of Experts for Cooperation in Vocational Training was set up in 1980 as was the Franco-German Secretariat for Exchanges in Vocational Training (DFS), which is operating the largest bilateral exchange programme of the Federal Education Ministry (BMBF) with more than 100,000 participants from 50 occupations to date.

This group exchange programme enables apprentices and learners in continuing education to obtain part of their training in the partner country, making use of other education programmes in a new sociocultural environment. By working and learning together, German and French adults and young people can overcome language barriers and forge contacts. Their exchange of experience also benefits the participating institutions and companies.