Germany tempts young scientists

In an effort to promote "brain gain" in Germany, the Helmholtz Association of National Research Centers has enlarged a program designed to attract young German and non-German scientists with international experience.

Bärbel Köster, spokeswoman for the Bonn-based Helmholtz Association, told The Scientist that a smaller-scale version of the Helmholtz Young Investigators program, launched late last year, proved so successful that the association has decided to increase funding.

Helmholtz last month announced a call for applications from young scientists interested in leading one of 20 "Young Investigator Groups." Each group would be affiliated with one of the Helmholtz Association's 15 member centers, which include the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, the German Research Center for Biotechnology in Braunschweig, and the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg.

Köster said that each of the 20 groups would be funded for 5 years. In each successive year, 20 new groups will be formed. ...