Interview with Stephan Isernhagen
Dr. Stephan Isernhagen is Director of the DFG Office North America, representing the German Research Foundation in the United States and Canada. Based across the DFG’s North America presence in Washington, DC, New York, and San Francisco, he supports scientific exchange and cooperation between Germany and North America and serves as a point of contact for researchers and institutions interested in DFG funding and collaboration opportunities.
Dr. Isernhagen has been with the DFG for more than eleven years. Before taking on his current role in January 2026, he served as Programme Director for committee support related to Germany’s Excellence Strategy, Programme Director, and Officer in Research Management at the DFG’s headquarters in Bonn.
He also has an academic background in the humanities: his doctoral dissertation at Bielefeld University examined Susan Sontag and the New York intellectuals.
Interview: Stephan Isernhagen
You recently became Director of the DFG Office North America. Could you tell us a bit about your professional path and what led you to this role?
I have been working in research funding at the German Research Foundation (DFG) since 2015. Initially I was responsible (along with many colleagues) for Collaborative Research Centers, and later for Clusters of Excellence. Collaborative Research Centers (SFB) and Clusters of Excellence (EXC) are very different funding schemes offered by the DFG, but broadly speaking, they are interdisciplinary networks in which researchers conduct research on a topic of their own choosing for many years – with adequate funding. You can find such programs in this form and of this scale only in Germany! I have always been fascinated by how the SFB and EXC manage to remain at the international forefront of their fields and thereby generate tremendous added value for the German research landscape. The opportunity to actively help shape this process in the coming years – since North America is and will remain one of Germany’s most important scientific partners for the foreseeable future – is what motivated me to apply for the position.
Since arriving in North America, what has stood out to you about the research landscape across the United States and Canada?
I am impressed by the unwavering interest many North American researchers have in collaborating with Germany, and by the many well-established forms of cooperation that exist, forms I am gradually getting to know better. It’s a true win-win for both sides! There is an impressive level of expertise here across all fields—something that has developed over many years. There are experts here for just about everything, who are often willing to talk to you about it and explain why their particular area of interest is important for people, society, and the world.
From your perspective, what makes research cooperation between Germany, the United States, and Canada especially important at this moment?
Germany has a very strong and agile research ecosystem. Billions of euros will be invested there in the upcoming years to support basic research and further strengthen Germany as a research powerhouse. The United States and Canada are home to the world’s best universities. The major challenges of our time and the big questions that, for better or worse, future generations will also have to grapple with can only be addressed together and through dialogue, ideally on a basis of trust, on an equal footing. This holds true even in times of social and political polarization. On both sides of the Atlantic, there is a very strong, shared, and vital interest that consistently brings everyone back to the table. And even if someone leaves the table temporarily, this is hopefully only for a short while. We in the North America Office and at the DFG as a whole are working hard to ensure that every party can return to this table at any time.
For readers who may be less familiar with the DFG Office North America, how does the office help researchers and institutions build or strengthen connections with Germany?
Our office supports German-American relations in a variety of ways. First and foremost, we participate in key events such as trade fairs to showcase Germany as a hub for research and the many funding opportunities offered by the DFG. We work closely with our long-standing North American partners to strengthen ties between Germany and the U.S. and Canada, for example through joint calls for proposals. We also organize events such as our roundtable in Washington, D.C., which brings together key stakeholders from Germany and North America and is intended to strengthen transatlantic relations. The roundtable will take place for the third consecutive year this August, and I am very much looking forward to it!
What should researchers and institutions in the U.S. and Canada know about current trends and developments in the German research landscape?
Germany’s stated aim is to become even more international as a hub for science and research. There are more opportunities than ever before for PhD students, postdocs, and international researchers! As of January 1, 2026, there are now 70 Clusters of Excellence in Germany, where research on a wide variety of topics will be conducted over the next seven years (Excellence Strategy | DFG). These clusters can easily integrate outstanding, experienced researchers from abroad into their work. In addition, there is the Global Minds Initiative (Global Minds Initiative Germany | DFG), which offers a wealth of new opportunities for international researchers. The initiative supports the principle of global brain circulation, something that has been actively embraced and promoted by the German research system for many years.
What opportunities do you currently see for expanding German-North American research cooperation?
Above all, I see an opportunity to nurture and strengthen our existing, established partnerships and, in doing so, expand them in the future. We have very strong ties with the National Science Foundation (NSF); the NSF is and will remain in the foreseeable future our most important partner in North America. I am looking forward to new funding opportunities for German and American researchers, which I hope we will be able to announce within the next months. At the same time, however, we are interested in forging new partnerships. There is a lot of interest on both the west coast – our office in San Francisco opened just a few years ago – and the east coast. There is a new dynamic that involves new players. We are open to both long-standing relationships and new opportunities in order to advance science for the good of society.
DWIH New York’s annual focus topic is “Science for Society.” From the DFG’s perspective, how can international research collaboration contribute to addressing societal challenges while protecting the independence and openness of science?
That is a big question, one that could fill at least an entire book. International research collaboration brings together different perspectives, viewpoints, and experiences, and is thus often able to contribute to addressing major issues and problems. Freedom of research is essential to this endeavor. At the same time, we see that there are risks associated with research. Findings from basic research can be applied to areas that may pose challenges to national security. International cooperation is needed to continually assess how the balance between openness and security can be maintained.
Looking ahead, how do you hope the DFG Office North America’s work will intersect with DWIH New York, and where do you see opportunities for cooperation?
I see a great many opportunities for collaboration and overlap wherever issues related to basic research, science and the humanities, and transatlantic exchange are involved. I am very much looking forward to working with you!