GAIN26 to Connect Early-Career Researchers in North America With Academic Opportunities in Germany

The GAIN conference connects German academic institutions with early-career researchers in North America
© David Fox Photography

(IN BRIEF) The German Academic International Network (GAIN) will hold its 26th annual conference, GAIN26, in San Francisco from 21 to 23 August 2026, offering the largest networking event for German academic careers outside Europe and focusing on career opportunities in Germany for early-career researchers based in North America. Jointly organised by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, DAAD and DFG, the conference will provide postdoctoral researchers with guidance on career paths including professorships, research management, universities of applied sciences, junior research group leadership and roles in the research-intensive private sector. The programme includes more than 35 workshops, a Talent Fair with nearly 80 German research institutions, information on funding programmes, and a Science Slam, with around 500 people already registered. High-level participants will include the presidents of the three organising institutions, representatives from the federal ministry, a Bundestag committee delegation and eight science ministers from German federal states, while a digital workshop for postdocs worldwide will follow on 17 September 2026.

(PRESS RELEASE) BONN, 19-Aug-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — The German Academic International Network, known as GAIN, will host its annual conference in San Francisco from 21 to 23 August 2026, bringing together early-career researchers, German academic institutions and research organisations for the largest networking event for German academic careers outside Europe.

The 26th GAIN conference, or GAIN26, will focus on career opportunities in Germany for early-career researchers from Germany who are currently working on the American continent.

The event is also open to international postdoctoral researchers in the United States who are interested in Germany as a research hub.

Members of the media are invited to attend the first day of the conference.

GAIN26 is jointly organised by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the German Academic Exchange Service, known as DAAD, and the German Research Foundation, known as DFG.

The conference is designed to connect German academic institutions with early-career researchers in North America and to provide guidance on career paths in Germany.

Over three days, the programme will focus on Germany as a centre for research and innovation.

Postdoctoral researchers will receive detailed advice on career planning at German universities, research institutions and in the research-intensive private sector.

The conference will cover a wide range of academic and professional routes, including paths to a professorship, careers in research management, opportunities at universities of applied sciences and the leadership of junior research groups.

More than 35 workshops will address topics including the Excellence Strategy, resilience in academia, generative AI and appointment procedures.

GAIN26 will also include the annual Talent Fair, where nearly 80 German research institutions will present career opportunities and advertise vacancies.

In addition, the DAAD, DFG and the Humboldt Foundation will provide information about their programmes for researchers at early career stages.

As in previous years, the event will also feature science communication activities.

During a Science Slam, postdoctoral researchers will present selected aspects of their research in an accessible and engaging format.

Distinguished guests and programme

The presidents of the three organising institutions will open the conference on 21 August, following a welcome address by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

High-ranking representatives from science and politics are expected to attend.

Participants will include a delegation from the Bundestag Committee on Research, Technology, Space and Technology Assessment, as well as eight science ministers from several German federal states.

During the three-day event, representatives from politics, universities, funding organisations and non-university research institutions will be available to answer participants’ questions.

The conference has again attracted strong interest, with around 500 people already registered.

In addition to the in-person event in San Francisco, GAIN will offer a digital workshop on 17 September 2026 for interested postdoctoral researchers worldwide.

About the German Academic International Network

The German Academic International Network is the network for German researchers working around the world.

Since 2003, GAIN has supported researchers through a broad programme of activities designed to maintain links with German research institutions, prepare researchers for a possible return to Germany as a research location and help them communicate their interests to policy-makers.

GAIN is a joint initiative of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the DAAD and the DFG.

It is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space.

Associate members include the Fraunhofer Society, the Helmholtz Association, the Leibniz Association, the Max Planck Society, the German Rectors’ Conference, the German National Academic Foundation and German Cancer Aid.

Other partners from academia, industry and politics also regularly support GAIN’s work.

Further information

GAIN26 will take place from 21 to 23 August 2026 at the Marriott Marquis San Francisco Hotel.

Latest conference updates will be shared on social media under the hashtag #GoGAIN26.

Interview opportunities with participants at the GAIN conference can be arranged through the DAAD press contact.

Media Contacts:

Anna Oberle-Brill
GAIN Programme Director
oberle-brillatdaad.de
+1 (212) 758-3223-217
Please note the time difference of minus six hours for New York and minus nine hours for San Francisco.

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Kristine Logemann
Head of Press, Communications & Marketing
+49 228 833-144
presseatavh.de

DAAD
Michael Flacke
Press Officer
+49 228 882-454
presseatdaad.de

DFG
Marco Finetti
Press Officer
+49 228 885-2109
presseatdfg.de

SOURCE: DAAD