Agreement signed to promote scientific cooperation

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is part of a long-term process in which the two organizations aim to put their cooperation on a new footing in the wake of the pandemic. The agreement includes mobility opportunities and summer schools for young scientists as well as exchange on the topic of research infrastructures. In October 2024, a delegation led by the President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) visited Germany. The framework conditions for future cooperation - for example with regard to open science, intellectual property rights or ethical aspects - were discussed and negotiated in an intensive process last year by three bilateral working groups with experts from both organizations. The signing of the MoU took place during a joint delegation trip of Helmholtz and Leopoldina.

Cutting-edge research thrives on cooperation with the best partners worldwide. Helmholtz maintains numerous international partnerships, and thousands of researchers from all over the world work at Helmholtz Centers. There are numerous thematic overlaps with CAS, both in terms of research priorities and infrastructure. "The Helmholtz mission is based on strong international exchange," said Helmholtz President Otmar D. Wiestler in Beijing. "China is an important strategic partner for us in addressing global challenges such as climate change, energy system transformation or global health, which we can only tackle together. With the agreement we have now signed, we are contributing to better understanding, clearer rules and more transparency in our cooperation.”