One million euro to strengthen the U4 Network

The DAAD has granted the money to the University of Göttingen for academic collaboration within the U4 network. With this support, the partner universities aim to promote the international academic research of their doctoral candidates, further develop joint research projects and identify new areas of cooperation in research and education.
The funding is part of DAAD’s “Strategic Networks and Partnerships” programme. Out of a total of 117 grant applications submitted, only 21 were granted.

“The U4 Network joins our University with three outstanding, fully fledged universities in Europe. The grant to Göttingen will for example enable our young researchers to study abroad”, says Eva Åkesson, Vice-Chancellor of Uppsala University.

A total of 17 mutual summer schools and specialist conferences along with workshops on joint research projects and potential new areas of collaboration are planned. The partner universities also want to increase the number of joint international degree programmes and provide continuing education in intercultural competencies to their administrative staff.

The U4 Network – founded in 2008 – covers virtually all levels of education, research and administration at the participating universities. A current total of six joint degree programmes and dynamic student exchange programmes as well as numerous joint research projects have been established since the network was founded. In the four areas of biomedicine & pharmacy, science & technology, social sciences & law as well as the humanities, researchers and scholars at the partner universities are working together on topics such as the aging brain, biodiversity, particle physics, religious studies and global governance and regulation. Furthermore, the partner universities are presently drafting a concept for the utilization of the valuable academic collections available on all four campuses. Further information can be found on the web at www.u4network.eu.