Consequences for German-Russian Higher Education Cooperation

German higher education institutions are suspending cooperation with Russian partner institutions in research and teaching until further notice. This currently includes:

  • termination of joint research projects
  • termination of the exchange of scientists and students
  • termination of joint study programmes
  • termination of international projects with Russian participation.

Up to now, the higher education institutions of both countries have been institutionally linked in a variety of ways. HRK´s service “International university partnerships” lists 970 partnerships with 214 universities in Germany and 279 partner institutions in the Russian Federation so far, including 246 higher education institutions and 33 non-university institutions.

Measures taken by the major funding agencies in Germany

German Research Foundation (DFG)

German Research Foundation (DFG)

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) is suspending all its funded research projects between academics from Germany and Russia with immediate effect. What is more, funding proposals for new collaborative projects and renewal proposals for ongoing projects will not be accepted until further notice.

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

The Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD, German Academic Exchange Service) is restricting its exchange with the Russian Federation. In particular, it is stopping applications for Russia scholarships and cancelling the selection for DAAD scholarships to Russia. Even German scholarship holders who have already been selected cannot currently receive financial support for a planned stay in Russia. The DAAD expects German universities to suspend all DAAD-funded project activities with partner institutions in Russia and Belarus.