In the last few weeks Freie Universität Berlin has also managed to secure project funding worth around 1.3 million euros for the Erasmus+ KA171 program for cooperation with partner universities outside of Europe. This makes it one of the top higher education institutions in Germany in terms of funding for internationalization by a wide margin. Not only that, but it will also acquire almost 800,000 euros through the European Commission’s European Universities initiative over the next two years, which will be used to step up cooperation within the Una Europa network.

All of these funding streams will strengthen Freie Universität Berlin’s international strategy and create new opportunities for academic exchange, joint research projects, and innovative formats for teaching and advanced academic training. It will also allow the university to expand existing partnerships, establish new ties, and open up international experiences for students as well as staff in research and administration. The results will bolster international networking in Europe and across the globe in the long term and make the university’s strategic goals in the field of internationalization a reality.

“Internationalization is not a means to an end, but rather the foundation for excellent research, innovative teaching, and dialogue with wider society,” says Dr. Herbert Grieshop, Director of the Division of International Affairs at Freie Universität Berlin. “International cooperation between universities is becoming increasingly important, especially in times like these when geopolitical tensions abound. The fact that we have been able to acquire this much funding only serves to underline the high quality of our international networks and enables us to further develop research, teaching, and knowledge transfer with our partners across the world. This ensures that we are consistent in implementing our strategy as a globally networked university.”

Freie Universität Berlin – an International Network University

Internationalization has been a key aspect of Freie Universität Berlin’s history since it was first founded in 1948. The university is now counted among the leading European universities specializing in research. It offers all university members an environment that is enriched by internationalization and diversity, ensuring that regardless of status group, all university members are best equipped to pursue life-long learning and achieve excellence in their studies, teaching, work, and research. With four liaison offices in São Paulo, Tbilisi, New Delhi, and Cairo, a range of strategic partnerships with some of the most prestigious universities in the world, and over one hundred other international partnerships, Freie Universität Berlin maintains an impressive global network.