Universities Australia today announced the 73 projects awarded funding in 2017 under the Australia-Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme.

The program fosters closer research collaboration between Australia and Germany – and has awarded $8.6 million in grants to 245 projects since 2015.

The scheme is a partnership between Universities Australia and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

It enables researchers in the early stage of their career at Australian universities to apply for funding to work alongside their counterparts in German research institutions.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Belinda Robinson said both Germany and Australia were strong performers in global research and the scheme was a boon for both nations.

“New collaborations between small research teams can become a springboard for future large-scale research partnerships that bolster future prosperity,” Ms Robinson said.

The DAAD is the largest funding organisation in the world supporting the international exchange of students and scholars. Since its foundation in 1925, it has provided funding for more than 1.9 million scholars in Germany and abroad.

Each project team receives up to AUD $25,000 for travel and living expenses to support their research work in Germany.

Further information on the program is available here.