“Establishing a doctoral network sends a strong signal for building a long-term Franco-German partnership between two of Europe’s leading institutes in ophthalmology research” emphasized Dr. Marie-Léa Rousseau in reference to the limits2vision programme.

Dr. Rousseau, Science and Technology Attachée at the French Embassy in Germany, was invited to participate in the first limits2vision meeting in Tübingen. Her presence provided an opportunity for further reflection on the expansion and consolidation of a long-term cooperation.

This binational scientific event gained additional significance through its venue at the Institut Culturel Franco-Allemand in Tübingen, a setting that clearly underscores the programme’s Franco-German dimension. Dr. Thomas Vautravers, Director of the Institut Culturel Franco-Allemand, welcomed participants and highlighted the institute’s role as a hub for bilateral exchange.

Held on April 13–14, 2026, the meeting brought together leading scientists from Germany and France to explore key mechanisms of visual perception, discuss the PhD students’ research projects, and shape their training and supervision. The overarching aim is to identify synergies among participating research groups, initiate new joint projects, and foster sustainable international networking.

The partnerships established in recent years between Tübingen and Paris have already achieved remarkable success. The International Research Training Group “limits2vision” has been funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and recognized as particularly exemplary. The project is also supported by the Franco-German University (DFH), underscoring the scientific excellence and strategic relevance of this cross-border initiative. However, establishing a funding mechanism on the French side comparable to the DFG-iRTG would provide a far more robust foundation for sustained joint research initiatives and foster deeper cultural ties among early-career researchers from France and Germany than is currently possible.