Lüneburg, 23 July 2025
As the United Kingdom and Germany embark on a renewed era of partnership through the recently signed Treaty on Friendship and Bilateral Cooperation, special attention is being paid to a notable example of regional collaboration: the Lower Saxony – Scotland Research and Innovation Scheme. The initiative is listed first among several regional cooperation examples in the treaty’s annex, underscoring its role as a visible and active model of transnational academic partnership.
Signed on 17 July 2025 in London by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the treaty aims to deepen collaboration in areas including foreign policy, defence, science and research, culture, and civil society. “This is a partnership with a purpose,” said Starmer. Merz described it as “a historic day for German–British relations.” (AP News, 17 July 2025)
A Regional Model of Academic Collaboration
The Lower Saxony – Scotland Research and Innovation Scheme illustrates how subnational partnerships can complement high-level diplomacy. Developed jointly by the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), the Lower Saxonian Ministry of Science and Culture (MWK), and the Volkswagen Foundation, with strong support from the European Centre for Advanced Studies (ECAS), the scheme offers two funding streams:
- Stream I – Development Track (RSE): Supports new academic partnerships with grants of up to £8,000.
- Stream II – Excellence Track (Volkswagen Foundation): Provides up to €100,000 for interdisciplinary projects building on established collaborations.
The scheme aims to foster joint research, promote early-career exchange, and position teams to secure future international funding, including from Horizon Europe.
ECAS: A Key Supporting Institution
The European Centre for Advanced Studies plays a central role in coordinating the initiative. Initially founded by Leuphana University Lüneburg and the University of Glasgow, ECAS acts as a bridge between higher education institutions, policymakers, and funders in both regions.
According to the Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony: “ECAS plays a central role in the collaboration, providing administrative and strategic support, and helping build strong networks between researchers, policymakers, and funders.” (zukunft.niedersachsen.de, 2024)
One of ECAS’s flagship activities is the Lower Saxony – Scotland Joint Forum – a networking event that encourages new ideas, partnerships, and innovation. This year’s Forum will take place on 27 and 28 November 2025 at the Royal Society of Edinburgh, bringing together project leaders, institutions, and policy stakeholders.
A Treaty Rooted in Local Ties
The UK – Germany treaty reaffirms the importance of cooperation not only at the national level but also regionally. The listing of the Lower Saxony – Scotland initiative among the treaty’s regional examples highlights how local academic and governmental partnerships can sustain bilateral ties.
In its public communication, the German Federal Foreign Office emphasised the significance of “decentralised, regional cooperation,” which it described as “a strong foundation of bilateral relations.” This vision aligns with Scotland’s own international research strategy, which emphasises openness and cross-border collaboration.By recognising the Lower Saxony – Scotland Research and Innovation Scheme in this context, the treaty acknowledges the role of institutions like ECAS in advancing meaningful and long-term cooperation through research, innovation, and shared knowledge.
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