The DFG funds different variations of Research Units known as “Research Unit” (FOR), “Clinical Research Unit” (KFO) and “Centre for Advanced Studies” (KFG). The common theme between all three is that they enable a close cooperation between outstanding researchers over a medium-term timeframe to work on a particular research project that goes beyond the possibilities of individual projects.

KFOs should be used to fund research networks in disease or patient-oriented (translational) clinical research and to establish permanent scientific working groups in clinical institutions.

KFGs are a special funding option tailored to research in the humanities and social sciences.

FORs can be based at a university or at various locations, whereby the majority of scientific projects should be based at universities. A KFO is primarily run by university hospitals belonging to a university, so is therefore tied to a certain location. A KFG is likewise based at only one location.

The following applies to drafts and proposals of FORs and KFOs which are based on drafts submitted after 1 October 2018:

• The total funding period usually lasts eight years, which is comprised of two funding periods each lasting four years.

The following applies to drafts and proposals of FORs and KFOs which were submitted before the cut-off date of 1 October 2018 and proposals which are based on drafts submitted before 1 October 2018:

• The total funding period usually lasts six years, but sometimes eight years in justifiable exceptional cases (7th and 8th year). The first and second funding periods typically last three years each. It is not possible for these groups to switch between two funding periods of three years to two periods of four years.

The following applies to drafts and proposals from KFGs regardless of when they were submitted:

• The total funding period usually lasts eight years, which is comprised of two funding periods each lasting four years.

A draft proposal must first be submitted before a Research Unit may submit an establishment proposal. The DFG makes a recommendation on whether or not the establishment proposal should be submitted based on the draft.

The draft and the establishment proposal for a FOR or KFO may be submitted at any time. You may only resubmit a revised draft proposal once. Details on how to prepare the draft and the proposal can be found in the Proposal Preparation Instructions - Draft Proposals and Proposals to Establish or Renew Research Units (DFG form 54.03) or Proposal Preparation Instructions - Draft Proposals and Proposals to Establish or Renew Clinical Research Units (DFG form 54.09). Proposals for individual projects are submitted in accordance with the Proposal Preparation Instructions - Project Proposals (DFG form 54.01).

• DFG form 54.03
• DFG form 54.09
• DFG form 54.01

A draft proposal for a KFG may only be submitted in conjunction with an annual call for proposals. Details on how to prepare the draft and the proposal can be found in the Proposal Preparation Instructions - Draft Proposals and Proposals to Establish or Renew Centres for Advanced Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences (DFG form 54.04).

• DFG form 54.04

As a first step, the draft proposal for a FOR or KFO is reviewed by means of a written process. The relevant review board creates a proposal for a recommendation for the DFG Senate based on the draft proposal and the review, which gives the final positive or negative recommendation to submit an establishment proposal. As a second step, an establishment proposal is submitted and reviewed by a group of researchers with the participation of at least one member of a review board during the course of a meeting. The members of the review group are given the opportunity to discuss the proposal with the applicants. The results of the review form the basis for the funding decision, which is prepared by the DFG Senate before a final decision is then made by the Joint Committee.

The draft proposals for a KFG are reviewed by a panel with the participation of members of the review board. The DFG Senate then gives a final positive or negative recommendation as to whether the establishment proposal should be submitted based on a statement issued by this review panel. The subsequent procedure is the same as that for the FOR and KFO.

You should expect to wait between one and one and a half years between submitting a draft and receiving a decision on whether or not to submit the establishment proposal. This includes the review of the draft and the establishment proposal. The Senate and Joint Committee meet four times a year. A decision is typically issued approximately three months after an assessment is made.

Research Units can determine their organisational and management structure flexibly within the network and align this structure with the needs of the network as appropriate. A network can be managed by one or more individuals. The internal management and organisational structure can be presented externally (e.g. on the Research Unit’s dedicated website), and can also be outlined and evaluated accordingly at review sessions.

However, the role of network spokesperson may only ever be assumed by one of the researchers involved. This person manages the coordination project and is the central contact person for the DFG. In the course of the funding period, the role of spokesperson can be re-assigned among the key researchers involved in the Research Unit.

A FOR or a KFO typically has a single-figure number of projects. There is no upper or lower limit to the number of researchers who may take part, and the number may also vary depending on the subject area. The size of the group should make it possible for all those involved to work closely together in coordination with one another. In general, it is recommended to apply with fewer than 10 projects for the first funding period.

At the Centre for Advanced Studies (KFG) it is standard for only 2-3 researchers to work closely together on intensive independent research as a collaborative venture alongside a group of visiting researchers (fellows). The KFGs do not have any projects.

It is possible to cooperate with researchers abroad in the Research Unit without any problems. Direct project funds from the basic module (travel funds and funds for guests), the Project-Specific Workshops module and the Mercator Fellows module can be used for this purpose, for example.

In certain special cases (cooperation with the Middle East and with developing countries), the project leader who is eligible to submit proposals to the DFG can also acquire funding for the cooperation partner abroad in connection with individual projects.

• Cooperation with Developing Countries
• Middle East Collaboration

It is possible to involve individual projects from researchers in Austria, Luxembourg, South Tyrol and Switzerland due to special agreements being in place. As a general rule, these projects must be funded by the respective partner organisations involved. However, this does not apply to Clinical Research Units, since these are tied to a certain location.

• Joint Proposal Submission with Austria and Switzerland (D-A-CH)
• Joint Proposal Submission with Luxembourg (D-LUX)
• Joint Proposal Submission with South Tyrol (D-SÜD)

It is possible for the DFG to fund individual projects in other countries providing they promise to add value to the Research Unit as a whole and meet the same high research standards as apply in Germany. For Clinical Research Units, this is possible only in justified exceptional cases after consulting with the DFG Head Office.

Since Centres for Advanced Studies do not work in a project-based way and are also tied to a certain location, projects abroad may not be included. Cooperation with researchers abroad is a part of the fellows programme.

The opportunities offered by transfer project funding can be used in Research Units just as in a number of other funding programmes to develop the findings of research networks for practical use together with non-scientific partners.

Proposals to establish or renew Research Units (FOR, KFO, KFG) are reviewed by a group of researchers during the course of a meeting as regards the following aspects:

• The quality of the project, especially in terms of originality and the knowledge expected to be gained from it
• Objectives and work programme
• For KFGs: A concept of the Fellowship Programme and the suitability of the fellowship-like collaboration in contrast to the project-based network collaboration
• For KFOs: A concept relating to the structured integration of students studying for a doctorate in medicine, the Clinician Scientist Programme and cooperation between medical professionals and basic researchers, as well as other structure-enhancing measures and support programmes
• The soundness of the preliminary work, the quality of the publications and qualifications of the applicants, and the suitability of the spokesperson to lead the group
• Job opportunities and the scientific environment
• Measures to promote early career researchers (only applies to KFG to a limited extent)
• Consideration given to diversity and equal opportunities in the research system
• Suitability of the funds requested

The review is usually held at the university of the spokesperson of the Research Unit or at the DFG Head Office. In individual cases, the review process may also be conducted in a digital format.

You may only resubmit a revised draft proposal once. Please seek advice from the relevant contact person, and be aware of the closing dates for submitting tenders to the Centres for Advanced Studies.

The relevant department at DFG Head Office will gladly inform you about the details of how to submit a proposal.

• Programme Contacts

Contact person for general information on the Research Units programme

• Ms Julie Martin
  E-Mail: julie.martin@dfg.de
  Telephone: +49 (228) 885-2577
  Kennedyallee 40
  53175 Bonn

Contact person for general information on the Centre for Advanced Studies programme

• Ms Sigrid Claßen
  E-mail: sigrid.classen@dfg.de
  Telephone: +49 (228) 885-2209
  Kennedyallee 40
  53175 Bonn, Germany

Contact person for general information on the Clinical Research Units programme

• Dr. Petra Hintze
  E-mail: petra.hintze@dfg.de
  Telephone: +49 (228) 885-2552
  Kennedyallee 40
  53175 Bonn, Germany