Purpose

To enable scientists and academics to carry out a research project on a specifically defined topic within a limited time period.

Eligibility Requirements

Qualified researchers (as a rule, those holding a doctorate) from all disciplines working at German research institutions

Researchers working at institutions which serve purely commercial purposes or those who are not permitted to publish findings in a generally accessible form are not eligible to apply.

Proposal Requirements

A research project of high scientific quality and originality, carried out at an international level

Type and Extent of Funding

• Guidelines Research Grants Programme(interner Link)

Modules:

• Basic Module(interner Link)
• Temporary Positions for Principal Investigators(interner Link)
• Replacements(interner Link)
• Temporary Substitutes for Clinicians(interner Link)
• Project-Specific Workshops(interner Link)
• Mercator Fellows(interner Link)
• Public Relations(interner Link)
• Standard Allowance for Gender Equality Measures(interner Link)

Funding Duration

The duration of funding is based on the individual project needs (as a rule, several years).

Forms and Guidelines

• Forms and Guidelines(interner Link)

First proposal: No submission deadline

Renewal proposal: At least 6 months before the approved funds have been exhausted

The DFG has a wide range of options to support research groups engaging in international collaboration.

DFG support for collaborative ventures

• Travel funds and guest funds for foreign cooperation partners as part of the Basic Module
   
  • Basic Module(interner Link)
• Travel funds and, where applicable, remuneration for foreign cooperation partners in connection with the Mercator Fellows module
   
  • Mercator Fellows(interner Link)
• Travel funds for foreign cooperation partners in connection with the Project-Specific Workshops module
  • Project-Specific Workshops(interner Link)
• Funds for project implementation by the foreign cooperation partner under special procedures via transfer of funds on the part of the project management entitled to apply to the DFG (cooperation with the Middle East and with developing countries)
  • Cooperation with developing countries(interner Link)
  • Middle East Cooperation(interner Link)

Support for cooperation provided by foreign partner organisations

• Under calls for proposals with DFG partner organisations
   
  • International calls for proposals(interner Link)
• In the case of the so-called Standing Open Procedure (Weave Lead Agency procedure and others), proposal submission along with European cooperation partners (in the Weave Lead Agency procedure)
   
  • Further information on the Standing Open Procedures(interner Link)

In addition, researchers at a foreign research institution can participate as part of a so-called “general international cooperation”.

Further Information

• Funding in an International Context(interner Link)

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) uses the term ‘long-term project’ to refer to research projects in the humanities and social sciences that require continuous funding for at least 7 years and a maximum of 12 years (possible examples being editions, corpora, archaeological excavations, and social or behavioural longitudinal studies). To be recognised as a long-term project, a project must be characterised by its central scholarly importance, thorough preparation and planning, and professional management.

• Further Information(interner Link)

Detailed information on the proposal process

• Programme Contacts(interner Link)