The Universities of Bochum, Bonn and Marburg have become ‘Welcome Centres for internationally mobile researchers and funding’. This status was awarded on the basis of the Welcome Centres Competition, organised in spring 2006 by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the Deutsche Telekom Foundation and the Donors' Association for the Promotion of Sciences and Humanities in Germany. The aim was to recognise higher education institutions with creative ideas for making international researchers feel welcome in Germany and facilitating their work by providing the best possible conditions.

The competition granted 125 000 Euros to each of the winners to implement their plans for taking care of foreign researchers. Bonn University intends to build a strong network through its Welcome Centre and other research establishments in and around the city. Bochum University plans to involve the whole institution in the welfare of researchers by invoking inter-departmental contracts. Marburg University will create welfare teams composed of professors emeriti.

The organisers, encouraged by the high participation, would like to make a new round of the competition. Interested universities in Germany are advised to regularly check the website of Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Alexander von Humboldt Foundation – Welcome Centres
Welcome Centres publication