BEAF provides targeted support for the assignment of scientists from Germany in international agricultural research centers. This practice strengthens the links between these centers and German agricultural research, and makes German research findings available internationally. German research institutions also benefit by extending their international relationships, and not only in the field of agricultural research. The benefits are also felt in related and neighbouring fields of research such as forestry, fisheries, nutrition, ecology, veterinary medicine and in other fundamental disciplines that focus on development-oriented research for the tropics, subtropics and transition countries.

The research projects supported should preferably involve German scientists or research institutes as cooperation partners. Universities frequently second doctoral students, giving , young scientists their first work experience in developing countries. BEAF also places and supports postdoctoral students, scientists and technical cooperation experts in the international centres.

Under the Postdoc Program, up to four young scientists each year are offered the opportunity of completing a three-year research project at an international agricultural research center.

In conjunction with the Centrum für Internationale Migration und Entwicklung (CIM), support is provided for the assignment of Integrated Experts from Germany and other European Union countries. We also promote the assignment of Young Professionals - specialists with less than 3 years work experience. In this way, four Integrated Experts and two Young Professionals are sent to agricultural research centers each year for a period of two years.

What is special about this process is that all the experts (postdoctoral students, Integrated Experts, Young Professionals) are integrated into local structures and directly employed by the international agricultural research centers.

Furthermore, students from German universities are placed as interns in international research centers for periods of  3 to 6 months, usually in conjunction with their bachelor’s or master’s degree thesis. Applications can be made by interested students, their university supervisors or the research centers.

Promotion of young academics

• CIM Programme "Young Professionals"
  cim2010-1-en-young-professionals-programme.pdf, 0,10 MB (English)
• BMZ-Guidelines on the PostDoc-Program for International Agricultural Research Centers
  gtz2009-12-en-post-doc-guidelines.pdf, 0,08 MB (Englisch)
• Internship at an International Agricultural Research Center
  gtz2009-9-en-praktikanteninfo.pdf, 0,04 MB (English)