On 10 April 2025, the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU), Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU), and Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) parties presented their new coalition agreement, outlining, among other, several policy directions in education, research, internationalisation, and mobility. The document includes a wide range of commitments relevant to higher education and research institutions, with an emphasis on European cooperation, academic freedom, and international collaboration. 

The coalition agreement (in German) underlines Germany’s continued commitment to Erasmus+ as a cornerstone of European educational cooperation. It emphasises expanding Germany’s participation in the programme and ensuring that opportunities for mobility are accessible to a broader range of students and institutions. The agreement also points to Erasmus+ as an important instrument for fostering European identity and solidarity, highlighting its role in deepening cooperation within the European Education Area. 

In the area of international research cooperation, the agreement outlines continued support for Germany’s participation in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, including a strong role for institutions such as the European Research Council. The coalition emphasises the importance of EU-level cooperation to tackle global challenges and to ensure competitiveness and scientific excellence. 

The new coalition also introduces the "1000 Minds" programme (“1.000-Köpfe-Programm”), designed to attract 1,000 outstanding researchers to Germany. The aim is to promote excellence and innovation in the German research landscape by bringing in highly qualified talent from around the world. 

A key element of the agreement is the reaffirmation of Germany as an attractive and reliable location for international researchers. This includes a strong stance on maintaining Germany as a safe haven for academic freedom. The coalition also underlines Germany’s responsibility to actively defend academic freedom globally, ensuring that researchers from around the world can work freely and safely, and that open scientific discourse is protected. 

To support researchers operating in complex international environments, the coalition plans to expand advisory services for academic institutions and individuals. These services aim to raise risk awareness and assist researchers in navigating cooperation with countries and partners where legal, ethical, or political concerns may arise, ensuring that research partnerships remain responsible and secure. 

Finally, in the context of broader foreign policy, the agreement refers to Germany’s approach to cooperation with specific countries, including China. The coalition expresses a willingness to collaborate where mutual interests align, particularly in addressing global challenges. At the same time, it commits to reducing one-sided dependencies, including in scientific and research cooperation, and adopting a de-risking strategy, while coordinating closely with EU partners on matters of systemic rivalry and academic engagement.