Applications will be evaluated on the basis of the following qualitative criteria:

• Strategic connectivity
• Potential for follow-up projects
• Coherence between objective and action
• Strengthening Lower Saxony as a location
• Differentiation by funding line:
  • Profile: Innovation potential
  • Focus: Implementation of MWK priorities
  • Intensive: Intensification contribution

This format provides funding for pilot and model projects of international cooperation that strengthen the profile of individual universities in research, study and teaching as well as transfer or contribute to the implementation of the internationalisation strategy of the respective university. Activities that are initiated and carried out by several universities in the network and that sharpen the international profile of the university network across locations are also encouraged. Activities designed to implement the internationalisation strategy of the LandesHochschulKonferenz (conference of Lower Saxony universities) to strengthen Lower Saxony as a science location are also welcome.

As a guideline for the maximum funding amount in this funding format, EUR 30,000 should be assumed for applications submitted by individual universities and EUR 60,000 for collaborative applications. Applications should not fall below a threshold of at least EUR 10,000. Major deviations from these guideline values should be discussed with the responsible specialist department of the MWK before the application is submitted.

Funding is provided for projects and activities that contribute to the implementation of a state-wide focus of the MWK to strengthen Lower Saxony as a science location. This includes international cooperation projects with scientific institutions in selected countries or regions or with a thematic focus on selected scientific fields in order to strengthen international scientific cooperation in a targeted manner.

As a guideline for the maximum funding amount in this funding format, EUR 30,000 should be assumed for applications submitted by individual universities and EUR 60,000 for collaborative applications. Applications should not fall below a threshold of at least EUR 10,000. Major deviations from these guideline values must be discussed with the responsible specialist department of the MWK before the application is submitted.

The focus for 2024 is on cooperation with Scotland.

Funding is provided for projects and activities carried out by individual universities or associations of several universities to establish new or intensify existing international cooperation projects which are of great importance for university units and which continuously strengthen the international cooperation of the university/universities or are suitable for initiating new cooperation projects. It is also possible to group together smaller activities with the same objective, provided that they are consistent in the pursuit of overarching objectives.

As a guideline for the maximum funding amount in this funding format, EUR 10,000 should be assumed for applications submitted by individual universities and EUR 15,000 for collaborative applications. Applications in this funding format may not fall below a threshold of EUR 2,500. Major deviations from these guideline values should be discussed with the responsible specialist department of the MWK before the application is submitted.