German Studies Canada

Andrea Deierlein, German Center for Research and Innovation, New York

The German Center for Research and Innovation New York is one of five “Deutsche Wissenschafts- und Innovationshäuser” worldwide dedicated to fostering international collaboration in research and development. Bringing together experts from academic institutions, industry and government, the German Center for Research and Innovation New York will strengthen transatlantic collaboration in science and technology between Germany and North America. The official opening will take place on February 19, 2010 - in the presence of Federal Minister of Education and Research, Professor Dr. Annette Schavan, and the Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, Cornelia Pieper.

Around the globe, the German government has established five German Centers for Research and Innovation to provide venues for scholars, researchers and business leaders to promote close international cooperation with distinguished partners in the fields of academia, business, and policy. The German Center for Research and Innovation New York will foster collaborative scientific research and development of new technologies between Germany and North America.

Located in New York City in the same building as the German Consulate General, the Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the representations of 27 universities, the German Center for Research and Innovation (GCRI) began its operation on December 1, 2009.

True to its motto, “Internationalizing excellence,” the GCRI will focus on strengthening the German-Canadian and German-American partnership to help solve the global challenges of the 21st century. Under the joint leadership of DAAD & DFG, and headed by program coordinator Dr. Joann Halpern, the GCRI will build on existing synergies, local expertise and infrastructures to develop a network of partnerships with German, U.S. and Canadian research institutions, organizations, universities and companies. The GCRI will, therefore, convene scientific conferences and symposia to examine cutting-edge research as well as develop workshops for graduate students and young researchers to support their careers in the sciences and technology. More than a meeting place, the German Center for Research and Innovation will also become a “one-stop” shop for information about the German research landscape and funding sources.

The official opening will take place on Friday, February 19, 2010 in the presence of the Federal Minister of Education and Research, Professor Dr. Annette Schavan, the Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, Cornelia Pieper and German Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Klaus Scharioth. The President and CEO of The New York Academy of Sciences, Mr. Ellis Rubinstein, will speak about “Catalyzing the Creation of Innovation Ecosystems: A Brief Overview of Novel Approaches.” German Nobel Prize Laureate Professor Dr. Wolfgang Ketterle will address “New Forms of Matter Near Absolute Zero Temperature.”

The German Center for Research and Innovation is part of the Federal Foreign Office’s Research and Academic Relations Initiative and the Internationalization Strategy of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Other locations are in Moscow, Russia; New Delhi, India; Sao Paulo, Brazil and Tokyo, Japan.

Contact: German Center for Research and Innovation, Deutsches Wissenschafts- und Innovationshaus, 871 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017 – USA, T. 001.212.339.8606,, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it