To facilitate the support of collaborative work between German and Japanese research groups, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) have opened the possibility for joint Japanese-German project proposals in the research fields of Condensed Matter Physics and Statistical Physics, Soft Matter and Biological Physics (topics falling under the responsibility of the elected DFG review boards (Fachkollegien) 3.21–3.22). Collaborations of research teams from both countries are invited to submit joint proposals. These proposals have to be based on a close interaction between the German and Japanese research teams and should present joint project goals as well as a joint work plan with balanced contributions from all project partners. Special emphasis should be put on the mobility and exchange of the participating researchers between Japan and Germany.

Joint projects within the scope of this call can only be funded if both the JSPS and the DFG finance their national parts. Up to ten projects can be funded within this call; the JSPS provides a budget of up to JPY 10,000,000 (approx. €62,000) per year/per project.

At the DFG, proposals for this call are to be submitted under the “Sachbeihilfe/Research Grants” funding programme and will be reviewed in competition with all other proposals submitted under this programme. It is important to note that there are no separate funds available for these efforts; proposals must succeed on the strengths of their intellectual merit in competition with all other proposals under the programme. Based on written reviews, a joint panel will select up to ten projects for funding. The funding period for the projects should be three years starting in April 2026.

Eligibility

The principal investigators on each side must be eligible to apply to their respective funding agency. The eligibility for the applicants in Germany to submit a proposal follows the regulations for the DFG “Sachbeihilfe/Research Grants” funding programme (DFG form 50.01(interner Link)). For members of non-university institutions with permanent positions, this includes the duty to cooperate (“Kooperationspflicht”) with a partner at a German university (DFG form 55.01(interner Link)). Applicants in Japan must meet the eligibility requirements of the JSPS International Joint Research Programmes. All prospective Japanese applicants must be eligible to apply for a Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research – KAKENHI, and their affiliated institution must judge them able to implement the project and to provide an appropriate research environment (e.g., laboratory, equipment, personnel) for it.

Proposal Preparation and Submission

Proposals must be written in English and prepared according to the instructions for the DFG “Sachbeihilfe/Research Grants” programme (DFG form 54.01(interner Link)). Please submit your proposal to the DFG by 3 June 2025. Proposals are to be submitted solely via the elan portal(externer Link) in order to ensure proposal-related data is recorded and documents are securely transmitted.

If this is the first time you are submitting a proposal to the DFG, please note that you must register in the elan portal(externer Link) before you can submit your proposal. You must do so by 27 May 2025. You will normally receive confirmation of your registration by the next working day.

Japanese principal investigators must submit a copy of the proposal and all required additional documentation (CVs and Financial Form for Japanese Side) to the JSPS in the manner specified by the JSPS by 11 June 2025. 

For further details, please refer to the JSPS website: https://www.jsps.go.jp/j-bottom/02_h_sinsei.html(externer Link) (in Japanese).

In the DFG’s elan system, for “Call for Proposals”, German partners should select “JSPS-DFG Call 2025: Condensed Matter Physics”. Please go to “Proposal Submission” – “New Project” – “Individual Grants Programme”. In the field “Proposal for a Research Grant” click the button “Start online form” – “Continue”. In the next screen, you will find the call. The proposal must include a description of the full proposed research programme and research team and describe the total resources for the joint project (i.e., the funds requested for both the Japanese and German groups). In the elan system, only the German budget has to be filled in, because only applicants in Germany can receive funding from the DFG. For the Japanese side, the budget needs to be detailed in the JSPS's designated form, “Financial Form for Japanese Side for FY 2026(Download)”, and uploaded as additional documentation.

CVs of the principal investigators (PIs) from both sides must be uploaded in elan according to the DFG template (DFG form 53.200(interner Link)). Please note that the reviewers will need the full information on the PIs from Germany as well as from Japan. In addition, Japanese PIs are requested to submit their basic information to the JSPS via the JSPS electronic application system.

Notification of Results

Applicants will be informed in writing of the results of the review and, where applicable, of the subsequent administrative steps according to the respective national regulations. The selection of the projects will be completed by the end of January 2026. Funding will be provided according to the funding rules (incl. reporting) of the respective funding organisation. Funding can only be granted if both JSPS and the DFG arrive at a positive decision.

Equity and Diversity

The DFG strongly welcomes proposals from researchers of all genders and sexual identities, from different ethnic, cultural, religious, ideological or social backgrounds, from different career stages, types of universities and research institutions, and with disabilities or chronic illness. 

Good Research Practice

According to a resolution of the DFG General Assembly, DFG funding may only be awarded to research institutions that have implemented the guidelines laid down in the Code of Conduct for Safeguarding Good Research Practice(externer Link) in their own regulations. The management of your institution is responsible for implementing the guidelines in a legally binding manner. In order to avoid delays in the disbursement of funding, please verify implementation within your institution in good time. For information regarding the implementation, please refer to the Research Integrity Portal(externer Link). If you have any questions on this subject, please contact the Research Integrity team(externer Link) at the DFG Head Office. 

Further Information 

Corresponding JSPS Call for proposals: https://www.jsps.go.jp/j-bottom/02_h_sinsei.html(externer Link)

When submitting proposals, please use the elan portal(externer Link) and refer to the respective guidelines (DFG form 50.01(interner Link), DFG form 55.01(interner Link) and DFG form 54.01(interner Link)). The FAQ on Proposal Submission(interner Link) may also be helpful.

Contact Persons at the DFG Head Office

Inquiries related to this call:

Dr. Michael Mößle, phone +49 228 885-2351, michael.moessle@dfg.de(externer Link)

Jenny Eroms, phone +49 228 885-2743, jenny.eroms@dfg.de(externer Link)

General inquiries related to Japanese-German cooperation:

Raoul Wagner, phone +49 228 885-2217, raoul.wagner@dfg.de(externer Link)

Contact information for Japan:

International Research Cooperation Division II
International Program Department
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
Tel. +81 (0)3-3263-1860/1918
Fax. +81 (0)3-3234-3700
Email. bottom-up【＊】jsps.go.jp（【＊】should be replaced to @）

Privacy Policy

We, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation), take the protection of your personal data and its confidential treatment extremely seriously. Therefore, please refer to the DFG’s Privacy Policy(interner Link). If you intend to transmit personal data of third parties, please make sure to do so only if the necessary legitimation under data protection law exist. Before transmitting data of third parties to the DFG, please forward the DFG’s Data Protection Notice to the individuals affected (data subjects). If there is a legitimate interest not to inform individuals beforehand (e.g. for reasons of secrecy or in case of a nomination or candidate proposal), these individuals should be informed no later than at the time of publication.