The Research Institute for Medical Innovation at Radboud University in Nijmegen is one of the leading medical research centers in the Netherlands. Researchers from the University of Bonn, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), and Radboudumc already collaborate closely in fields such as immunology, genetics, and neuroscience. During the delegation’s visit, the Medical Faculty and the Dutch research institute signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate the exchange of biomaterials and data. They also expressed the intention to jointly apply for more funding, for instance through Horizon Europe and ERC Synergy schemes, and to stimulate the postdoc exchange, including through Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowships.
Prof. Bernd Weber, Dean of the Medical Faculty at the University of Bonn, stated: “I am delighted that we are pursuing a long-term partnership with Radboudumc — a strong collaborator with whom we can jointly tackle major scientific and medical challenges.”
This was echoed by Guillén Fernandez, Scientific Director of Radboudumc: “With Bonn, we connect to one of Europe’s most dynamic academic research hubs – close in distance, strong in quality, and united by a shared ambition to make science matter for patients.”
During the two days in Nijmegen, concrete ideas for new collaborations were identified in immunology, neuroscience, and AI research. To support these and future initiatives, the two institutions plan to align their core research infrastructures — from protocols to sharing instruments, biomaterials and data and the coordination of internal funding processes. They will also explore the possibility of conducting multicenter studies between Nijmegen and Bonn.