On March 18, 2025, NSFC President Dou Xiankang met with a delegation of program directors from the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the German staff of the Sino-German Center.

President Dou Xiankang first briefed about the latest development of NSFC, elaborating the reform measures aimed at continuously optimizing the talent funding system and enhancing the diversified investment mechanism. Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as strategies for cultivating scientific research talent and the challenges and opportunities in international scientific and technological cooperation under the current circumstances.

President Dou highlighted that the DFG is the major research funding institution in Germany and one of the most critical partners of NSFC within the framework of its cooperation with Europe. NSFC is willing to work together with DFG, taking the resumption of the program director exchange program and the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Sino-German Center as opportunities, to continue deepening exchanges and cooperation in strategic dialogue, talent cultivation, and research cooperation.

The German delegation commended the reforms of NSFC and expressed hope that both sides would further strengthen exchanges, deepen bilateral ties, and promote Sino-German scientific cooperation to new heights through joint funding, policy seminars, and management exchanges.

The DFG delegation included Dr. Ingrid Krüßmann, Deputy Head of International Affairs Division and Dr. Katja Fettelschoß, Deputy Head of Division Research Careers and others.

On the Chinese side, attendees included Dr. Fan Yingjie, Director General of the Bureau of International Cooperation and Chinese Director of the Sino-German Center, as well as representatives from the European Affairs Division and the Chinese representatives of the Sino-German Center for Scientific Promotion.