November 6, 2026 (BERLIN, GERMANY) – U15 Canada and the TU9 Alliance, representing Canada’s leading research universities and Germany’s leading universities of technology, met today in Berlin to discuss closer ties between researchers and universities in the two countries at a time of geopolitical uncertainty.
The meeting underlined the important role of science diplomacy between trusted partners in addressing shared challenges. Taking place on the sidelines of the Falling Walls Science Summit, one of Europe’s leading international science gatherings where Canada is this year’s partner country, the valuable exchange between university presidents from both countries focused on opportunities to strengthen existing research ties in areas of shared priorities.
Canada’s association with Horizon Europe has created a strong foundation for deeper research collaboration between Canada and Germany. Both associations expressed support for ensuring Canada’s swift re-association to the successor research program to Horizon Europe, which will be vital to maintain this momentum.
International research partnerships are essential to our shared prosperity and resilience. Pursuing stronger research collaboration between Canada and Germany will support the flow of knowledge and drive innovation in areas of complementary research strengths, including the strategic fields identified in Germany’s High-Tech Agenda.
“Canada’s leading research universities are building strong international partnerships that will help to unlock new opportunities for scientific discovery and address some of the world’s most pressing challenges,” said Daniel Jutras, Chair of U15 Canada. “By working more closely with Germany’s leading technical universities, we can build on our shared strengths to contribute to the prosperity and resilience of both countries.”
“Our universities already maintain close, long-standing partnerships. These encompass a whole breadth of research areas and include joint research projects as well as the exchange of students and scientists. Canada’s association to ‘Horizon Europe’ offers excellent opportunities to further strengthen these ties. In challenging geopolitical times, research collaborations with trusted international partners such as U15 Canada become even more important. That is why we highly appreciated today’s strategic exchange with U15 Canada” say Ursula M. Staudinger, TU9 President and Rector of TUD, and Jan S. Hesthaven, TU9 Vice-President and President of KIT.
About U15 Canada
U15 Canada is an association of fifteen leading research universities across Canada. U15 Canada works to optimize research and innovation policies and programs that advance knowledge, develop highly-qualified leaders for all sectors, and mobilize knowledge for the benefit of all Canadians. In this way, U15 Canada seeks to help Canadian universities make a prosperous, sustainable and just future for all.
About TU9
TU9 is the Alliance of leading Universities of Technology in Germany: RWTH Aachen University, Technische Universität Berlin, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Technical University of Darmstadt, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Leibniz University Hannover, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Technical University of Munich, and University of Stuttgart.
TU9 Universities take special responsibility for the productive and innovative strength of our society and economy. We help shape the future, for example by contributing to digitization and the energy and sustainability transition. To this end, we combine our specific expertise in basic research, especially in the natural sciences and engineering, with applied research and innovation. TU9 Universities enjoy an outstanding reputation around the world as renowned research and teaching institutions. As such, they train exceptional young academics for careers in science, business, and administration and assume social responsibility. TU9 Universities foster top-class international networks and diverse collaborations with industry, making them a key element of Germany as a science and innovation hub.
For further information, please contact:
James Hammond, Director of Public Affairs
james.hammond@u15.ca
613-715-4764
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