In March 2022, the Senate of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) established the Priority Programme “Reconstructing the deep dynamics of planet Earth over geologic time (DeepDyn)” (SPP 2404). The programme is designed to run for six years. The present call invites proposals for the second three-year funding period.

Proposals for the second round should advance the understanding of the lower mantle’s influence on the dynamo through geologic time. It is intended to continue along the five existing themes, namely: (1) reliable paleomagnetic data and geomagnetic models and (2) state-of-the-art dynamo simulations that together provide information on the evolution of the core dynamo; (3) realistic mantle evolution reconstructions over >10 Myr time scales that provide essential boundary conditions for the long-term core dynamics; (4) robust estimates of core and mantle structure and properties that determine the parameters of core and mantle dynamics; and constraints on geomagnetic field evolution from (5) magnetotactic organisms (biomagnetism). Individual proposals should specify the most relevant theme(s) in each case; proposals spanning multiple themes are particularly encouraged. 

Research themes within the goals of DeepDyn should clearly aim at understanding the long-term evolution of Earth’s deep interior, for example :

• The dynamics of and interaction between core and mantle
• The changes in magnetic reversal frequencies and superchrons
• The characteristics of field reversals
• The composition, structure and properties of the lower mantle and core
• Effects of stratified layers, CMB topography and inner core growth on core dynamics
• The influence of time-varying magnetic fields on the adaptation and evolution of magnetotactic species and the preservation of magnetofossils in the rock record

In order to keep the programme focused, DeepDyn does not address topics: 

• outside the Earth system (not comparative planetology);
• related to Sun-Earth interactions (space weather);
• on early solar system or planetary formation;
• related to the upper layers of the Earth (lithosphere, upper to mid-lower mantle);
• observations from satellites or observatories (not the recent magnetic field).

Biologic studies should be restricted solely to organisms that leave magnetofossils.

Proposal Submission

Please submit your proposal in English to the DFG by 14 January 2026. Proposals are to be submitted solely via the elan porta(externer Link)l 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 before you can submit your proposal. You must do so by 15 December 2025. During the registration process, select “SPP 2404” from the list of calls. You will normally receive confirmation of your registration by the next working day.  

If you wish to submit a proposal for a new project within the existing Priority Programme, please go to Proposal Submission – New Project – Priority Programmes and select “SPP 2404” from the current list of calls. Previous applicants can submit a proposal for the renewal of an existing project under Proposal Submission – Proposal Overview/Renewal Proposal. 

When preparing your proposal, please note the Guidelines Priority Programme (DFG form 50.05(interner Link), section B “Individual Projects within Existing Priority Programmes”) and the Proposal Preparation Instructions – Project Proposals (DFG form 54.01(interner Link)). These forms are available on the DFG website(externer Link) and through the elan portal.

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. With regard to the subject-specific focus of this call, the DFG encourages female researchers in particular to submit proposals.

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

Please find detailed information on the Priority Programme here(externer Link).

When submitting a proposal, please use the elan portal(externer Link) and refer to the Guidelines Priority Programme (DFG form 50.05(interner Link), section B “Individual Projects within Existing Priority Programmes”) and the Proposal Preparation Instructions – Project Proposals (DFG form 54.01(interner Link)). The FAQ about preparing a proposal(interner Link) may also be helpful.

For scientific enquiries, please contact the Priority Programme coordinator:

Professor Dr. Stuart Alan Gilder, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Department für Geo- und Umweltwissenschaften, Tel. +49 89 21804239, deepdyn@geophysik.uni-muenchen.de(externer Link) 

Questions on the DFG proposal process can be directed to:

Programme contact: 

• Dr. Iris Sonntag, Tel. +49 228 885-2253, iris.sonntag@dfg.de(externer Link)

Administrative contact:

• Vanessa Creuzberg, Tel. +49 228 885-2320, vanessa.creuzberg@dfg.de(externer Link)

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.