Exciting Opportunity for Collaborative Research: Germany Partners with the Western Balkans Six

02 Apr 2025 Calls
Open Access Research Infrastructure

The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has announced an exciting new funding initiative aimed at fostering innovation and scientific collaboration between Germany and the Western Balkans Six (WB6). This call seeks to promote research and development projects that focus on three critical areas: Digital Transformation, the Green Deal, and Healthy Societies.

Funding Details

The program offers substantial support for bilateral cooperation projects. Applicants can receive up to EUR 300,000 per project, with a duration of up to 36 months. The funding is available to partners from both Germany and the WB6 region, making it a remarkable opportunity for regional collaboration.

Focus on Early Career Researchers

On the WB6 side, the call emphasizes the importance of nurturing young talent. The “BMBF Early Career Groups” must be led by junior researchers, including doctoral candidates or young postdoctoral scholars. This focus aims to empower the next generation of scientists and foster innovation in the region.

Eligible Costs

The program covers a wide range of usual project expenditures, such as:

  • Personnel
  • Travel
  • Research stays
  • Workshops

Project Goals

To ensure maximum impact, proposed projects are expected to meet the following criteria:

  • Demonstrate high practical relevance.
  • Provide clear strategies for the implementation of research results in politics, society, and the economy.
  • Include measures to commercialize research outcomes.
  • Contribute to the capacity building of the scientific community and promote the development of young scientists.

How to Proceed

If you’re interested in applying or have any questions, your German project partner is your primary point of contact. They can liaise with the responsible call administrators for further information.

This initiative represents an incredible opportunity to advance research while strengthening international partnerships. Don’t miss the chance to be part of a program that bridges borders and fosters innovation across key societal challenges.

Note that the call is in German language. For a more detailed overview, follow our partner's Policy Answers project link. 

The envisaged start of projects is the beginning of 2026. Deadline for submitting outlines is 11 June 2025.