PARTNERS
 
DECHEMA e.V.
DECHEMA Gesellschaft für Chemische Technik und Biotechnologie (Society for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology) is a non-profit scientific society based in Frankfurt am Main. Founded in 1926, it has over 5,600 members representing scientists, engineers, companies, organizations and institutes. DECHEMA’s mission is to actively advance the development of chemical and biotechnological technologies and processes and to promote the transfer of novel findings from research and development to industrial applications.
Website: www.dechema.de 
 
Association of German Biotechnology Companies, VBU
VBU, the Association of German Biotech Companies, was founded in October 1996 as part of DECHEMA e.V. With now over 230 corporate members, it is the largest and longest established German biotechnology association. VBU represents companies from all biotechnology sectors. Since its foundation VBU has devoted itself to the promotion of science and technology and the transfer of research findings into market-ready products and services. VBU is particularly committed to the concerns of small and medium-sized biotechnological enterprises (SMEs). VBU supports SMEs from this sector especially on issues of knowledge and techno-logy transfer, business development, start-ups, off-the-job training and further education. VBU can draw on extensive experience in the organization of events, online seminars and delegati-ons. The Association works closely with other national and international organizations from the fields of biotechnology, pharma, and knowledge and technology transfer.
Website: www.v-b-u.org

German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
The tasks of the BMBF: The BMBF has many different tasks at national level within the framework of its responsibilities under the Basic Law. They include:
• Legislative, policy and coordination tasks for non-school initial and continuing vocational training,
• Research promotion,
• Legislation on training assistance and the funding thereof (in conjunction with the Länder),
• The promotion of gifted school students, trainees and students and the fostering of young scientific talent.
• The promotion of international exchanges of trainees, students, persons taking part in continuing education, instructors as well as scientists. 
Until responsibilities are redistributed within the framework of the Federalism Reform, the tasks of the BMBF also include

• Regulation of general policy in the higher education sector,
• Education planning (in conjunction with the Länder), and
• The extension and construction of institutions of higher education, including teaching hospitals (in conjunction with the Länder).
The BMBF supports research through:

• The promotion of basic research and the respective organizations working in this field (in conjunction with the Länder),
• The promotion of key technologies, particularly in the fields of health research, biotechnology, information technology, ecological research and mobility, research and development for employment and innovative work, transport and aerospace, and marine technology, and
• Promotion of state preventive research in the fields of the environment, climate, ecology and health, the promotion of marine and polar research, research and development to improve working conditions, research into education and training, and research in the field of the humanities and the social sciences.
Website: http://www.bmbf.de/en/index.php
 
 
International Bureau of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
The International Bureau has been commissioned by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) to strengthen the international ties of German universities, research institutes and enterprises with the ultimate goal of building competencies and fostering competitive advantages for industry and the research community in Germany in the areas of research and innovation. In doing so, the International Bureau is making an important contribution to cultivating an international dimension within the research programmes of the BMBF.
The International Bureau makes an important contribution to:

• stimulating international cooperation and the building of networks with the best partners in education, science, research and technology
• organising the joint use of costly research equipment and enabling access to unique research locations
• promoting Germany as an attractive location for innovation and preparing the groundwork for the export of German technologies, products and knowledge-based services
• the establishment of the European Research Area (ERA)
In dialogue with the research divisions of the BMBF and their project management organisations, the International Bureau initiates cooperation on research topics with a high policy priority with competent partners in a variety of countries - primarily in Europe, Asia, the Americas and Africa.

The International Bureau possesses detailed knowledge of the capacities for cooperation in other countries as well as the legal and political framework for cooperation. Moreover, it maintains contact with relevant organisations abroad as well as with German organisations active in cooperation at the international level.

The International Bureau provides BMBF funding to German universities, research institutes and small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) for investigating the potential for cooperation with partners abroad and for the preparation of projects involving international cooperation.

Preparatory Measures for International Cooperation
Website: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/785.php
 

Further cooperation with:

AHK Japan  在日ドイツ商工会議所
Founded in 1962, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (GCCIJ) today is part of a worldwide network of 120 overseas chambers and representative offices in 80 countries around the globe. The activities of the GCCIJ cover three specific fields:

• Traditionally the Chamber is a members’ association. It promotes the exchange of information and experience of its 500 voluntary members as well as pursuing the interests of its members on matters of importance to the business community in Japan.
• The Chamber is the focal point for promoting Germany’s overseas business development in Japan. Under the direction of Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, the Chamber promotes bilateral economic relations with wide-ranging activities in information and publicity, building and maintaining networks, as well as looking after and representing German economic institutions in Japan. Being a pillar of support for business is therefore central to the Chamber’s work, but also providing publicity for Germany, and a whole host of other activities, are part of it.
• Operating under the DEinternational brand, the Chamber is also a professional service business with worldwide connections. With its team of bi-lingual advisers, most of whom have several years experience, the Chamber offers support not only in market entry but also in a range of other services. As a non-profit organisation, the Chamber does not serve its own interests, and its fees are calculated on a cost-recovery basis.
Learn more about the GCCIJ and its services under www.japan.ahk.de.

DEinternational has designed a new service offer that assists with the entry into these Japanese high tech-markets. One focus of this offer - Cluster Business Japan - is the future market of biotechnology. In this and other sectors, Japan as well as Germany can offer splendid scientific, industrial and institutional capacities. The service offer is assisting German companies and research institutes seeking to establish new business possibilities and co operations in Japan. It also can help German clusters and public entities to build up new bilateral ties or to attract Japanese investors. You can find further information to our offer, market reports as well as news on the high tech industries and clusters of Japan on the website www.japan-cluster.net.