With its internationalization efforts the Cluster strives to increase the visibility of Kiel Marine Sciences with the intention of engaging highly qualified scientists to actively participate in Future Ocean research and education. It supports the transfer of Kiel Marine Sciences knowledge and expertise to the international scientific community, stakeholders and civil society. This goal will be realized by providing support for three foci:

• science mobility
• international project coordination
• capacity building.

Science mobility has been improved in the Cluster by evaluating and establishing potential collaboration with key partners in Europe, China and North America. Building on these partnerships, Future Ocean will establish regular scientific exchanges on the PhD, postdoc and senior scientist levels. Support for international scientific exchange for PhDs will be realized through ISOS and IMAP (Integrated Marine Postdoc Network), for postdocs through our flagship Alexander von Humboldt Future Ocean Fellowship program and a planned international lab rotation, for senior scientists by means of support for continued collaborative research (mini-proposals), international symposia and visiting scholar financial support . In order to attract top scientists to Kiel, the Cluster will undertake recruitment efforts at leading international conferences and in the relevant scientific journals. In addition, the Cluster will attempt to make Kiel more attractive for international scholars by easing the transition and relocation to Kiel with a virtual welcome center and by offering postdocs attractive positions with wider, more flexible career options and opportunities for international collaboration

Support for international projects will promote international scientific knowledge exchange between the Cluster and the global scientific community and stakeholders. Cluster support for international projects will be twofold: On the one hand, the Cluster will support the scientific coordinators of international scientific projects, such as SOLAS (Surface Ocean Lower Atmosphere Study), IMAGES (International Marine Past Global Change Study), and will offer to host or remotely support project offices of similar international marine science projects (e.g. CLIVAR, IMBER, GEOTRACES, or similar IODP, IOC and SCOR activities). This will promote international scientific interaction with members of the Cluster and increase the visibility of Kiel Marine Sciences. The international projects will also benefit from the core management facility of KAIMS. On the other hand, the Cluster will encourage members to offer their expertise to international councils and organizations, such as the ICSU (International Council for Science) and its partner organizations, working on solutions to the major questions in global environmental change and marine science.