The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is expanding its range of services for knowledge security in international scientific cooperation: with the KIWi Knowledge Security Checklist published today, researchers and universities now have a practical tool for structured risk assessment. The publication marks the start of the development of an expanded website for the DAAD Centre for International Academic Cooperation (KIWi) on knowledge security.

"In times of growing geopolitical tensions, questions of opportunities, risks and security in international scientific cooperation are becoming increasingly important," said DAAD President Prof. Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee. "With the new KIWi checklist, we are responding to the latest recommendations of the Science Council for strengthening knowledge security in Germany. We are thus providing scientists and universities with a practical tool for weighing up cooperation-specific security risks."

The checklist is also the first step towards a digital knowledge security platform that will be set up in the coming months. Explanatory videos, handouts, infographics, best practice examples and other publications are planned. At the same time, KIWi is expanding its range of in-house seminars, where universities receive on-site advice and support in setting up institutional review and risk mitigation processes. Overall, with KIWi, which is funded by the German government, and its comprehensive range of advisory services, the DAAD is strengthening German universities in the risk-conscious design of international scientific cooperation.

Opportunities and risks in view

The knowledge security checklist is used to review and assess security-related issues in cross-border cooperation projects. The nearly 20 questions focus on partners and financing, export control regulations, the use of results and intellectual property rights, as well as scientific ethics issues in academic cooperation. They thus also address the risk areas identified by the Science Council. The checklist serves both as a self-assessment tool and as a basis for internal university review and coordination processes. It is based on KIWi's many years of consulting experience and was developed in collaboration with experts from DAAD member universities.

Background KIWi

The DAAD Centre for International Academic Cooperation (KIWi) was founded in 2019 on the recommendation of the German Council of Science and Humanities. It supports universities and scientists in all matters relating to international academic cooperation, promotes dialogue between science and politics, and pools expertise from the global DAAD network. Most recently, in July 2025, a US advisory centre was set up within KIWi to advise German universities, scientists and students on developments in the USA. 
KIWi is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space.