Every year, many international scientists and scholars benefit from the excellent conditions for research at German universities. When their stay comes to an end these researchers have the potential to become valuable strategic partners. ???aural:Bildanfang??????Großansicht des Bildes???Convincing ideas: Humboldt Foundation honours German universities that have developed strategies for active and lasting cooperation with their research alumni. © AvH???aural:Bildende???As ambassadors of their former host universities, for example, research alumni can help to disseminate information abroad, address outstanding junior researchers, or facilitate the establishment of new international research collaborations. The ideas competition “Research alumni of German universities” is designed to encourage universities to make greater use than they have so far of this potential.

For the second time, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is inviting universities in Germany to submit ideas for active, sustainable cooperation with their research alumni. The first round of the competition in 2011 already triggered important initiatives. With this new call the Humboldt Foundation wishes to sensitise other universities to the advantages of working systematically with their research alumni. This means producing convincing concepts tailored to the specific interests of researchers and, at the same time, integrating research alumni in the university’s strategic activities in the field of internationalisation. The three best ideas will each receive an award sum of up to 130,000 euro, which will be dedicated to putting the successful concepts into practice and creating sustainable structures. The closing date for applications is 12 July 2012.

The ideas competition is a constituent part of the collaborative project "International Research Marketing" which is a joint initiative by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. All activities within the project are part of the "Promote Innovation and Research in Germany" initiative under its brand "Research in Germany". The initiative is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).