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Information on cooperation with China for researchers

Are you interested in collaborating with partners in the People's Republic of China, would you like to find out about opportunities for cooperation, funding, preparing for a stay, or find out more about China as a potential research partner? Here you will find information on various aspects of co-operation with Chinese partners.

If you have any questions, please contact the China-Competence Service-point directly: (phone: +49 6421 28-26154). We will be happy to advise you and send you any documents relevant to your plans.

  • Fundamentals and general information

    Here you will find basic and general information that is relevant for all target groups. Below, however, you will find information specifically relevant to professors and junior scientists

  • Basics before initiating cooperation

    If you are thinking about cooperating with partners at a university in China that you are not yet familiar with, or if you would like to gain an insight into the international security assessment of an institution in China, it is important to reliably recognise links between civilian Chinese universities and the military of the People's Republic of China.

    Well-known tools, such as the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) Tracker, contain initial information on links between civilian Chinese universities and the military of the People's Republic of China, but have not been updated since 2018.

    We therefore inform you about current developments in the Chinese higher education landscape and offer you individual support in assessing Chinese institutions. Contact the China Competence Service-point directly (china-kompetenz@uni-marburg.de).

    In addition, the university's internal  "Research and Responsibility" committee (Kommission „Forschung und Verantwortung“) can be consulted if there are doubts about the compatibility of research or cooperation with the "Principles and Rules of Procedure".

  • Digital tools for risk-benefit analysis 

    Operate is a web-based due diligence tool from the DLR Project Management Agency that is primarily intended to help researchers better assess the risks and benefits of project-based or long-term cooperation.

    Dilemma Game was originally conceived at Erasmus University Rotterdam as a physical card game and is now available as an app for iOS or Android. The app offers over 120 ethical questions from the field of research. There are four possible answers to choose from for each question. After entering your own answer, you can see what percentage of other users have given which answer and you can view an "expert opinion". The questions do not relate specifically to research with and in China, but in many cases are also relevant for cooperation with China. The app is suitable for raising awareness in a playful way. 

  • Funding for Postdocs and Ph.D. students 

    Mobility:

    On the  website of the International Office you will find general, non-China-specific offers and information on who to contact for more information about going abroad as a student, doctoral candidate or staff member. 

    Please contact us if you would like individual advice regarding the status of a Chinese institution or an offer for a stay in China.

    Funding opportunities for Postdocs for their stay in China:

    Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation:

    Description: this fellowship supports Postdocs who wish to go abroad for a research stay. Funding is provided for 6-24 months abroad for researchers who have their research centre in Germany.

    Availability for China: This scholarship can also be used for research stays in China. You cooperate with a self-selected host from the Humboldt Network worldwide.

    Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility Experience (PRIME):

    Description: In this programme, research stays are not funded in the form of a scholarship, but in the form of a fixed-term employment contract at a German university. Funding is granted for a total period of 18 months. This includes twelve months for the stay abroad and an integration phase of six months at a German university. During the entire funding period, the researchers are employed as a post-doc at a German university.

    Availability for China: This programme allows research stays in China and supports cooperation with Chinese research institutions.

    Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions:

    Description: The European Commission also offers funding in the form of a position at a European university as part of the "Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions" programme. You submit the application together with Philipps-Universität Marburg, where you will be employed for the entire three years of funding. By default, the three years consist of two years of research at a host university and then one year of research at Philipps-Universität Marburg.

    Availability for China: These fellowships enable research stays in China and cooperation with Chinese research partners. The "Global Fellowship" programme is available for this purpose, which enables research stays worldwide.

    Funding opportunities for Ph.D. students for their stay in China:

    You can apply to the  DAAD for a research grant for Ph.D. students.

  • E-learning and certificate programmes 

    Here you will find our self-study programme in ILIAS, which was designed for young scientists in the life sciences as part of the  Mind|Body|Matter project. You will learn the basics of China's (scientific) culture and receive specific information for cooperation in the life sciences.

    The  ChinakomMitt programme is currently developing courses for other target groups and with additional content, e.g. on Chinese law with regard to research cooperation.

    As part of the competence programme "China Competence for Research Projects" (CKF), the Department of International Affairs and Family Services at Philipps-Universität Marburg offers events that focus in particular on aspects of international cooperation in collaboration with Chinese partners. This offer can be accessed as a stand-alone measure or in addition to participation in the certificate programme "Development and Management of Research Projects" (EMF).

  • Travel advisory 

    On the website of the Federal Foreign Office you will find many practical travel and safety tips for your planned stay in China. 

  • Language classes and Apps 

    Language classes in Marburg:

    At the University of Marburg, you can take Chinese courses at the Language Centre; classes for levels A1.1 and A1.2 will be offered in the summer semester 2024. 

    Learn Chinese at the  Marburg Adult Education Centre - from February 2024 there will be an online course for advanced learners. 

    Further self-study courses and online tools can be found on the language centre's website.

    Language courses in Giessen: 

    At the University of Giessen, you can take Chinese courses at the ZfbK. Courses for levels A1 and A2.1 will be offered in the winter semester 2023/24. 

    The Giessen Adult Education Centre will be offering Chinese courses for levels A1 and A1.2 from April 2024.

    Language courses in Friedberg:

    The Language Centre of the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen regularly offers Chinese courses for level A1 at the Friedberg campus.

    The Volkshochschule Wetterau offers a variety of Chinese classes for beginners. 

    Apps:

    The  Hello Chinese app offers a fun introduction to learning Mandarin. The app is primarily designed for beginners.

    With Duolingo, both beginners and advanced learners can learn Chinese for free. 

    With the  Pleco app for Android and Apple, people travelling to China can search for words or have characters scanned and translated directly.