"The Ultimate Invitation"
International Research Minister Introduces Skilled Personnel Initiative to Entice Overseas Scientists
Germany's Research Minister, Dorothee Bär, has hinted at the imminent launch of the "1,000 Heads" program, an initiative designed to attract foreign researchers. Speaking after a meeting with her French counterpart, Philippe Baptiste, Bär confirmed the plan will kick off "very soon." When probed for further specifics, she remained tight-lipped, citing ongoing financial deliberations.
The German Government, already known for its attractive research environment, is aiming to elevate its appeal even higher. "We're not just about groundbreaking science," Bär said. "We want to ensure we cater to every aspect of a researcher's life. That means jobs for partners, kindergarten spots, and all the perks one would need." She further elaborated on this concept in an interview with the "Handelsblatt."
France, too, boasts a similar recruitment program, with positive results, Baptisteshared at a shared press conference with Bär, via an interpreter. It seems we're in a friendly academic rivalry, as neighbors, he added. It's all about a united European vision for science, Bär reiterated.
Further details about the program's structure and offerings remain unclear, but it's clear that Europe is in the process of acknowledging and addressing the importance of international talent for scientific growth. Countries like Norway[2] and Italy[2] are also following suit, developing programs to lure top minds from across the globe. Germany has been proactive in this front, as well, by aiding refugee researchers in theirtransition to the German research sector via the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)[3]. The "1,000 Heads" program seems to be a natural extension of these efforts to bolster Germany's research landscape.
Community policy can include measures aimed at facilitating the integration of foreign researchers in Germany's "1,000 Heads" program, ensuring they have access to vocational training, health-and-wellness services, education-and-self-development opportunities, and other resources. The program's emphasis on catering to every aspect of a researcher's life aligns with a broader European vision that acknowledges and addresses the importance of international talent for scientific growth, which includes initiatives like Norway's and Italy's similar programs.
