DFG funding for universities of applied sciences

Most of the DFG’s funding programmes are open to researchers at universities of applied sciences (HAWs and FHs). In order to take into account the general conditions that apply at this type of HEI, the DFG has adapted funding conditions and established funding measures that are specifically aimed at universities of applied sciences and comparable institutions. The aim here is to provide opportunities for such institutions to establish research structure profiles and expand their international networking, for example.

You will find the main details on this page. The DFG invites you to take advantage of both established and newly developed funding opportunities.

The DFG’s programme portfolio

The DFG programmes under which individuals can apply for funding are open to researchers at universities of applied sciences.

Promoting the transfer of knowledge

The transfer of research results to the business sector and to society at large is a particularly high priority for the DFG. More about these funding opportunities and the outcomes they have achieved.

Transfer HAW/FH PLUS

In order to give universities of applied sciences easier access to transfer funding, the DFG has set up a special knowledge transfer programme. This funding option will be available until March 31^st, 2025. The deadline for drafts has expired.

Internationalisation of research

The DFG initiative “Supporting the internationalisation of research at universities of applied sciences” (UDIF-HAW) is intended for universities of applied sciences that are interested in establishing international research cooperation or would like to expand such cooperation further.

Eligibility Requirements

Diverse career paths and specific institutional contexts may be taken into account in the application process exclusively to the benefit of the applicants in order to tap into the research potential offered by universities of applied sciences.

Calls for proposals and results

Research grants for major instrumentation

From 2022 to 2024, the DFG invites researchers at universities of applied sciences to submit proposals for research grants under a series of calls for proposals that relate to the use of DFG-reviewed major instrumentation.

Major instrumentation campaigns

In a total of three rounds of calls for proposals, the DFG invites universities of applied sciences to submit proposals for the structural expansion of their existing equipment infrastructure with regard to knowledge-oriented research under a series of calls for proposals. The thematic orientation of the research projects was free; the selection of funding proposals was based on scientific criteria.

Research Impulses

The DFG’s funding instrument Research Impulses is designed to enable universities of applied sciences to set priorities in research and increase their funding capacity.

DFG-Fraunhofer Cooperation – Trilateral transfer projects

Trilateral knowledge transfer projects funded by the DFG and the Fraunhofer Society seek to close a gap between basic research and application. Projects have already been successfully selected in several rounds of calls.

Contact persons are to be found in the detailed description of the individual funding programmes.