Before Submitting a Proposal – Guidelines for the Planning Phase
There are several things that applicants must consider before submitting a proposal. These things should be taken into account before designing the proposal. These include searching for and utilising existing resources, such as equipment or information structures, as well as obtaining the requisite permits. Items such as statements by ethics committees or permission to carry out research which comes under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) should be applied for as early as possible. This page covers some of the most frequently asked questions about making time-sensitive preparations early.
Securing Infrastructure Resources
If your project requires significant infrastructure resources, such as equipment or IT infrastructures, you should check during the preparation phase that the appropriate resources exist in your research environment, and whether they are available for your use. You will find an overview of the research resources available in Germany in the GEPRIS information system. The DFG also provides important infrastructures for research work via its research vessels.
Obtaining Statements and Permits
If tests on humans or on material taken from humans will form part of your project, you will, as a rule, need to submit a statement from the appropriate ethics committee with your proposal. You should apply for this as early as possible. If animal testing is planned, the requisite permissions should be obtained as soon as possible.
Making Research Data Accessible
If your project includes the systematic collection of research data which could be re-used later, a plan detailing how this data will be transferred to existing databases or repositories should accompany your proposal. In such cases, it is often advisable to make contact with the operators of the appropriate infrastructures during the planning phases. This allows existing standards to be used, as well as enabling any costs involved in this step to be integrated into the proposal.
Adhering to CBD Guidelines
If your proposed project involves the collection and transport of biological material outside Germany, it may come under the provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). If this is the case, applicants should inform themselves in good time about the regulations in place in their host country, and seek collaboration with researchers there. Further information is provided in the detailed guidelines.
