Invitation of researchers in early career phases from sub-Saharan African countries

Based on the agreement with The World Academy of Sciences for the Advancement of Science in Developing Countries (TWAS), the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) draws the attention of researchers at German research institutions to the possibility of inviting researchers in early career phases and of all disciplines from sub-Saharan African countries to spend three months at their institution in Germany for the purpose of research and cooperation.

The DFG pays the host institution a monthly sum of €2,350 to cover the visiting researcher’s accommodation and visa expenses. In addition, the visiting researcher’s flight and rail costs to and from the institution are reimbursed up to an amount of €1,350. In addition to this, the host institution can receive up to €700 per month in funding to cover direct project costs such as material and laboratory costs. 

The requirements for proposal submission by the visiting researchers are as follows:

• They must be a citizen of a sub-Saharan African country.
• They must be engaged in research activity at a university or research institution in a sub-Saharan African country.
• They must not have obtained their doctorate before the year 2019. However, visiting female researchers with children can have obtained their doctorate earlier. An extension of two years per child (a maximum six years in total – 2013) is possible. 
• They must not be currently engaged in any activity in Germany or ongoing research with the host institution. 

The DFG funding instrument “Initiation of International Collaboration” is available for an additional visit, if the aim of the visit is to develop further joint research projects (see link under “Further Information”).

Proposals must be submitted to TWAS by visiting researchers no later than 5 June 2024. The proposal must also include an official invitation letter issued by the host that specifies the research topic of the cooperation (not a project proposal) and contains information on the infrastructure that will be made available to the visiting researcher. 

Prior to writing the invitation letter, hosts are asked to ensure that the scientific cooperation with the visiting researcher offers sufficient potential. In case of an award, the host institution is expected to support the visiting researcher in organising their stay which includes flight bookings and finding an accommodation.

The DFG explicitly welcomes proposals from researchers of all genders and sexual identities, from different ethnic, cultural, religious, ideological and social backgrounds, and at different career stages, types of higher education institution and research institution, as well as from researchers with disabilities or chronic illnesses. 

Further Information 

Link to the TWAS-DFG Cooperation Visits Programme and all proposal documents required by the TWAS:

• https://twas.org/opportunity/twas-dfg-cooperation-visits-programme-ssa

Link to the DFG funding instrument Initiation of International Collaboration:

• www.dfg.de/bilateral_cooperation

Link to the information sheet for the host institution in Germany

• www.dfg.de/twas_information_sheet_host_institution_germany

You can view and access the DFG’s data protection notice on research funding at www.dfg.de/privacy_policy. 
If necessary, please also forward this information to those individuals whose data will be processed by the DFG due to their involvement in your project.

Contact at the DFG, International Affairs: 

• twas-dfg-programme@dfg.de