Three leading research and exchange organizations have teamed up to provide extensive new search options for those seeking to study and conduct research in Germany. The German Research Foundation (DFG), German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) have linked two on-line systems, creating a unique directory of the German science landscape.

The two online systems, "Research Explorer" (www.research-explorer.de) and "Higher Education Compass" (Hochschulkompass - www.hochschulkompass.de), are now connected to one another, offering even more comprehensive information on researching and studying in Germany.

Enlarge image Doing the dishes at the Lab (© picture-alliance / Frank May) The applications, made available through cooperation between the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation), the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), include extensive information on research and university institutions and thus offer a unique online directory of the German science landscape – accessible around the world, free of charge. This collaboration between the DAAD, DFG and HRK also improves international marketing for Germany as a centre of education and research.

With consistent and comprehensive information, which can be easily searched and which is available in two languages, the Research Explorer and HRK Higher Education Compass support researchers, students and prospective students domestically and abroad in their decision-making process for collaborations with German partners, for research investments or for a stay in Germany.

Nearly 20,000 university and non-university research institutions are contained in the Research Explorer, which now also provides information on doctoral programmes. After finding an institution in the Research Explorer, prospective doctoral researchers can open a direct link to the Higher Education Compass of the HRK, which provides, among other information, specific details on admission requirements and doctoral degree regulations.

In addition, research institutions can be accessed both geographically via interactive maps as well as by means of subject-area classification and free text search. Moreover, direct links to the information system "GEPRIS – projects funded by the DFG" facilitate searches of all current DFG-funded projects at an institute. The online directory for early career researchers in Germany and abroad, first released in 2008 by the DFG and DAAD, thereby offers fast and reliable information on the German research landscape.

The HRK Higher Education Compass provides online access to extensive information on German universities, studying in Germany and international collaborations. This includes contact data for all state and state-recognised universities, details on rector's offices and other contacts such as student counselling centres and international offices, on all offered courses of study and on all doctoral programmes.

Click here to access The Research Explorer