The Helmholtz Association and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research will fund four Helmholtz-Russia Joint Research Groups every year. The idea is to give outstanding young Russian scientists career perspectives in Russia and consolidate the scientific partnership between the two countries. The Moscow office of the Helmholtz Association will support the scientists where necessary. The President of the Helmholtz Association, Professor Jürgen Mlynek, and the President of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, Professor Vladislav Yu Khomich, signed an agreement to provide targeted support for cooperation between scientists of the Helmholtz Association and scientists from the Russian Federation. The Russian Foundation for Basic Research was established in 1992 on the model of the German Research Foundation (DFG). The concept of promoting excellence independently of state influences was new for Russia. Although the Russian Foundation for Basic Research’s budget of 120 million euros in 2006 lags far behind that of the DFG, it has risen by 25 per cent each year for the last few years.

The agreement targets young Russian researchers with the particular aim of improving their prospects of pursuing research careers in their own country. The research centres of the Helmholtz Association benefit twice over from their cooperation with the selected Russian scientists. Firstly, they stand to gain excellent researchers for scientific cooperation projects; secondly, they will receive 130,000 euros each year for three years from the Helmholtz Association’s Initiative and Networking Fund for their joint research. Up to 30,000 euros can be invested in Russia to finance equipment or doctoral candidates. The Russian Foundation for Basic Research will be financing the Russian scientists with 20,000 euros each year. In the medium term, the Helmholtz Association will thus contribute to stemming the brain drain of young Russian scientists from their country. The Association values the outstanding work of Russian scientists and intends to further extend its cooperation with Russia in the future.