Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM)
Our strategic partnership with the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Berlin, commenced in 2018 and has developed into one of the most impactful UK-German education and research partnerships. Working together, we have partnered in funding applications worth more than £8M. Since 2022, our researchers jointly coordinate the EU Surface Transfer of Pathogens (STOP) programme, which involves 15 partners from academia and industry.
About BAM
BAM is a senior scientific and technical federal institute with responsibility to the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy in Germany. It provides testing, analysis, research and advice to protect people, the environment, and material goods.
BAM is responsible for:
- further development of safety in technology and chemistry
- implementation and evaluation of physical and chemical tests of materials and facilities, including the preparation of reference processes and reference materials
- promotion of knowledge and technology transfer within BAM's areas of work
- cooperation in the development of statutory regulations, for example concerning the setting of safety standards and limits
- advice to the Federal Government, industry, and national and international organisations in the fields of material technology and chemistry.
Our collaboration
Our partnership focuses on five thematic areas through which we tackle key societal and technological challenges:
- Chemistry & Materials
- Energy
- Additive Manufacturing
- Life & Environmental Sciences
- Buried Infrastructure/Civil Engineering
Activities have included research collaborations, undergraduate student and staff exchange, a joint, split-site PhD programme which has supported more than 10 high-calibre students so far, joint webinars and seminar programmes.
Additionally our collaboration serves as a platform to enhance engagement with other regional stakeholders, such as the Free University of Berlin (student mobility), Brandenburg University of Technology (hydrogen, PhD training) and the Tyseley Energy Park, which aims to develop low and zero carbon power, heat, transport and waste and recycling solutions to the benefit of communities in Birmingham and beyond by 2030.
As both institutions move into the next phase of the alliance, Horizon Europe and in particular bilateral UK/German funding programmes will be instrumental in further developing this partnership.
Engage with us
If you are a Birmingham Academic interested in engaging with the BAM partnership, please contact Tim Albrecht, Director of Global Engagement College of Engineering and Social Sciences t.albrecht@bham.ac.uk.