Why this Guide?

This Guide is intended for:

Researchers considering or planning to engage in fair and equal partnership towards a common goal

Partnership arrangements striving for innovative research and a a fruitful learning culture, both based on mutual trust and responsibility

Funding agencies designing programmes for effective intercultural research collaboration

Policymakers aiming at establishing an enabling environment for effective research collaborations

Development organisations encouraging contextualisation of scientific knowledge through facilitation and brokering

International organisations dealing with knowledge-based solutions to global challenges

Transboundary and intercultural research in partnership is a continuous process of sound knowledge generation, building mutual trust, mutual learning and shared ownership.

The KFPE’s 11 principles underscore this process. However, there are many types of research in partnership; these have different requirements in terms of interaction, communication, and mutuality. In other words, the principles may have to be applied selectively depending on the partnership.
 
The 7 fundamental questions on transboundary research partnerships point to factors that hinder or enable partnerships in different contexts; they are designed to help readers better understand the nature and type of a given partnership.

In addition, the 7 key questions are meant to trigger a debate on how to organise transboundary research collaboration in an effective manner, and on how best to translate scientific knowledge into benefits for society.