Introduction

The introduction to this report provides more general input why transatlantic science and technology cooperation is still relevant in today’s globalized world. Today’s major societal challenges are global in nature such as climate change, energy supply, efficient energy use, and global health issues. Science and technology (S&T) play a key role in finding solutions. Due to their global nature, these challenges demand collaborative approaches as any individual nation or region has neither the intellectual capacities nor the financial resources to respond adequately and effectively by itself. Thus, international cooperation in S&T has become more imperative than ever. Europe and the U.S., the two major mature economic powerhouses are in the position to take the initiative and assume responsibility to address mentioned global challenges via enhanced S&T cooperation. This report is based on a Fulbright-Schuman Scholarship implemented at two leading universities in Washington DC. Set up as a broad qualitative approach, the study systematically explored “real time” views, perceptions, and expectations of the U.S. and European key stakeholders in the field of strategic transatlantic S&T cooperation.