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International talent in focus: GAIN conference in Boston inspires scientists!
The GAIN conference 2023 in Boston connects young German researchers with international talent and strengthens transatlantic scientific relationships.
International talent in focus: GAIN conference in Boston inspires scientists!
On September 1, 2025, the important GAIN conference of the German Academic International Network took place in Boston. This event, which attracted over 600 participants at the end of August 2023, has acted as a forum for international dialogue about scientific careers and the attractiveness of Germany as a science location for 25 years. The aim of the conference is to bring young researchers together with representatives from science, politics and business and to inform them about career opportunities in Germany. The GAIN conference is considered the largest platform outside of Europe for international scientific careers and offers postdocs and early-career scientists from Germany who work in the USA comprehensive advice.
The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) was represented with a delegation at the conference. Professor Jan S. Hesthaven, President of KIT, presented the institute at a network meeting at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Hesthaven emphasized the need to attract international talent and keep them at KIT in the long term. During an evening event hosted by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and Art, he highlighted KIT as an attractive place that has a diverse and inclusive community.
Scientific collaboration and challenges
The current GAIN conference takes place in a challenging political climate in which science in the USA is coming under increasing pressure. DAAD President Joybrato Mukherjee emphasized the importance of supporting partners in the USA and further expanding German-American university cooperation. The German Research Foundation (DFG) expressed concern about the repression that science in the USA has been subjected to since the beginning of the year. These repressions have already led to the closure of institutions, the cancellation of projects and the loss of jobs. DFG President Katja Becker was appalled by the restrictions on academic freedom and academic independence that have been observed in recent months.
The GAIN conference therefore actively promotes academic freedom, cosmopolitanism and equal opportunities. Over 25 workshops were offered, providing insights into appointment processes, tenure-track careers and working in international organizations. Around 80 German research institutions and universities presented their career opportunities and vacancies at the so-called “Talent Fair”. This initiative demonstrates the commitment to strengthen transatlantic scientific relationships and create a dedicated platform for international collaboration.
The GAIN conference is organized jointly by the Humboldt Foundation, the DAAD and the DFG. GAIN, founded in 2003, supports German scientists worldwide and rotates annually between the US east and west coasts. The current conference in Boston once again presented the challenges and opportunities for science, with participants and organizers focusing on shared dialogue and collaboration.