Bridging the Gap: DWIH San Francisco Promotes German Research Programs and Discusses Science Diplomacy at AAAS 2026

This year’s Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Phoenix, Arizona, served as a high-impact stage for the German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH) San Francisco and the “Research in Germany” team to engage with a broad range of academic talent. In a period of significant geopolitical shifts, the delegation provided a critical bridge for researchers looking to participate in Germany’s vibrant research and innovation ecosystem. 

DWIH San Francisco met with an impressive surge of interest from both emerging and established scholars in Phoenix, showcasing a strong and growing interest in Research in Germany’s mission in 2026. Together with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Max Planck Society (MPG), and the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the DWIH provided participants with a comprehensive roadmap for navigating the German research landscape. Emerging and established scholars received tailored guidance on establishing research stays at Germany’s premier universities and research institutions. As importantly, DWIH’s engagement at AAAS resulted in a wealth of new contacts that will shape Research in Germany’s strategic outreach and programming throughout the remainder of 2026. 

Beyond the immediate networking success, the summit addressed the structural evolution of science diplomacy amidst significant geopolitical shifts. At a panel discussion, AAAS representatives and the Royal Society presented an updated framework, “Science Diplomacy in an Era of Disruption”, which reflects a move away from the 2010 tripartite model – science in diplomacy (using science to inform foreign policy), diplomacy for science (international scientific cooperation), and science for diplomacy (using science to improve international relations)  – towards a more streamlined approach. This new framework contains two essential dimensions: science impacting diplomacy and diplomacy impacting science.  

Panelists noted that this shift reflects a “post-naive” geopolitical reality. Science is increasingly viewed not as a purely neutral ground for cooperation, but as a value-neutral tool for achieving specific diplomatic goals in a fragmented global landscape. While traditional scientific cooperation is discovery-driven, science diplomacy is fundamentally motivated by the management of international relationships. With the European Union preparing a new Council recommendation on the subject and the rise of private-sector “statecraft” in AI, the summit underscored the need for coordinated national strategies that engage both state and non-state actors while prioritizing research security. DWIH San Francisco Director Dr. Zahar Barth-Manzoori will discuss these and further related topics as a panelist at the upcoming Johns Hopkins Science Diplomacy Summit on April 13-14 in Washington, D.C. 

Looking ahead, the DWIH San Francisco will continue its 2026 outreach at the American Physical Society (APS) Global Physics Summit in Denver from March 15-20. We look forward to connecting with the physics community and sharing further opportunities within the German research sector.