Campus OWL is the network of the five state universities in Ostwestfalen-Lippe (OWL) – Bielefeld University, Paderborn University, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, OWL University of Applied Sciences and Arts and the University of Music Detmold. This network, set up in early 2016, facilitates co-operation and enhances the visibility of Ostwestfalen-Lippe as a region of science and innovation, in particular in the areas of research, transfer, internationalisation and digitalisation. By including different types of university, Campus OWL reaches over 65,000 students with over 500 degree courses from the full range of the academic spectrum at its locations in Bielefeld, Detmold, Gütersloh, Höxter, Lemgo, Minden and Paderborn. Boasting some 120,000 companies, the OWL region is one of the strongest economic regions in Germany. The universities’ collaboration with a wide variety of leading companies makes the OWL region a major centre for higher education and industry. Internationality plays a key role.

The liaison office in New York – Campus OWL, Inc. – was set up in 2019. It is located – alongside the Consulate General of Germany and the Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations (UN) – in German House, opposite the UN headquarters in Manhattan. German House is also home to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), other offices of German universities, the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the German Centre for Research and Innovation (DWIH).

The OWL liaison office advertises study and research opportunities and promotes collaboration with North American partner institutions. It serves as a service centre and contact point for students, academics and researchers, entrepreneurs and administrative staff from OWL or North American universities seeking further information about the programmes, opportunities and support on offer or interested in a collaboration. As a first point of contact, the liaison office provides information, advice and support on studying, PhD programmes and research stays. It also supports the initiation and further development of joint projects with North American partners, and in particular provides information about funding opportunities for stays abroad and research projects.