EFC Research Forum Conference 2018 | EUROPEAN FOUNDATION CENTRE | 17 October 2018 | Herrenhausen Palace, Herrenhäuser Strasse 5, Hanover, 30419 Germany

This year’s EFC Research Forum Conference, ‘‘Thinking beyond national borders – Research and funding across boundaries”, hosted by VolkswagenStiftung in Hanover on 17-18 October, will explore international collaborations within the philanthropic sector and beyond, with perspectives from researchers and funders alike.

International collaboration can add significant value, from achieving more impactful research and nurturing international partnerships to addressing common problems and building capacity within the research sector. However, these opportunities – and their attendant challenges – are set against a changing international research environment. Increasing competition for resources, reactions to complex global issues, and the backlash against globalisation have brought more inward-looking policies in many parts of the world. In this context, conference participants will explore the role of philanthropy in enabling more effective partnerships, pinpointing the added value of international collaboration, and debating what needs to change to allow collaborative research to thrive.