DFG, German Research Foundation

Cover picture of the event International Law Conclave Hyderabad — © Universität Heidelberg

(09.10.25) The DFG Office India, together with the Indian Council of Social Science Research, is supporting the first International Law Conclave in Hyderabad. Organized by Heidelberg University and NALSAR University, this activity will bring together researchers from India and Germany for a postdoctoral symposium and a senior researchers conference (Law Professors Meet). The participants will discuss contemporary topics of International Law and Comparative Law. Read more(interner Link)

I2I Forum: Connect & Exchange in the Field of Neuroscience

Group photo of the German-African research teams in neuroscience funded as part of the I2I initiative

(06.10.25) As part of the I2I initiative, nine German-African research teams spent two days discussing scientific and administrative topics related to their collaboration. They also received information about further funding opportunities for their preliminary projects. Read more(interner Link)

Korean-German Joint Panel and Visit of NRF

Gruppenbild vor der Geschäftsstelle der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft — © DFG

(29.09.25) A joint panel evaluation and a meeting between the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) and the DFG took place at the DFG Head Office in Bonn. Read more(interner Link)

Erasmus+ Conference and Meetings with Research Institutions in Central Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

A speaker stands at a lectern in front of an audience, next to which is a large white screen displaying information in Arabic and English. — Erasmus+ conference at the University of Baghdad.

© DFG

(26.09.25) At the invitation of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR), representatives of the DFG travelled to Iraq in early September to attend an Erasmus+ conference. The visit also provided an opportunity to gain deeper insights into the research system in both Baghdad and Erbil and to exchange views on potential options for bilateral cooperation. Read more(interner Link)

DFG President Meets Korean Ambassador

DFG-Präsidentin Professorin Dr. Katja Becker und der Botschafter der Republik Korea, S.E. Sang Beom Lim, in der koreanischen Botschaft in Berlin. — © DFG

(23.09.25) The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, H.E. Sang Beom Lim, welcomed DFG President Professor Dr. Katja Becker to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Berlin on 17 September. The main aim of the meeting was to exchange views on bilateral relations. Read more(interner Link)

DFG Office India Visits Delhi Technical University

Group picture of the German delegation — German Delegation at the Delhi Technical University

© DAAD

(24.09.25) The DFG Office India, together with DWIH supporters, joined an information session at the Delhi Technical University. Faculty and students interacted with the representatives to gain insights into funding options for Indo-German research projects and potential research stays at German institutions. Read more(interner Link)

Strengthening Indo-German Research Ties: DFG Outreach in Kolkata and Behaviour 2025

Leibniz Lecture by Prof. Michael Brecht — Prof. Michael Brecht, Humboldt University Berlin, delivering Leibniz Lecture at Bose Institute, Kolkata

© DFG

(18.09.25) The DFG Office India, together with leading German research institutions, organised a weeklong outreach initiative in Kolkata alongside the Behaviour 2025 conference. Through an information booth, institutional visits and the prestigious Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Lecture, the programme highlighted Germany’s vibrant research landscape and fostered new opportunities for Indo-German research collaboration. Read more(interner Link)

DFG at CHRIST University Delhi NCR Campus

picture of the speaker Dr. Vaibhav Agarwal, Deputy Director DFG Office India, at a oresentation — Dr. Vaibhav Agarwal, Deputy Director DFG Office India, presenting funding programmes for Indo-German collaboration.

© CHRIST University

(05.08.25) The DFG Office India, together with representatives of other German funding organisations, research institutions and the German Embassy, visited the Delhi NCR Campus of CHRIST university and presented funding and research opportunities for Indo-German collaborations. Read more(interner Link)

DFG Leibniz Lecture 2025

Several brains of different sizes are shown below the text on blue, curved rectangular shapes. A portrait of Prof. Dr. Michael Brecht is inserted in the left corner. The organizations (DFG, Max Planck Society, Bose Institute, and Consulate General in Kolkata) are listed on the left.

(28.07.25) Prof. Dr. Michael Brecht, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize winner 2012, will give a Leibniz Lecture about “Large-Brain Neuroscience in Elephants” in Kolkata. This series aims to introduce significant research topics of the prize recipients, who also act as German research ambassadors. Read more(interner Link)

DFG Takes Part in Science Events Held under the Polish EU Council Presidency

Picture of the attendees at the Baltic Energy and Cyber Security Forum in Berlin on 17 June 2025 — Opening and panel discussion on “Energy Infrastructure and Cyber Defence Cooperation” with high-level political representatives of Poland, Germany and Estonia at the Baltic Energy and Cyber Security Forum, Berlin, 17 June 2025

© Pavel Sepi

(15.07.25) In addition to focusing on security, the recent Polish EU Council Presidency placed particular emphasis on research, innovation and EU enlargement – as reflected in the adoption of the Warsaw Declaration on the strategic role of the future EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation in March 2025. In this connection, the DFG was represented at two high-profile events in Berlin and Brussels, thereby supporting the commitment of its Polish partner organisations to the European integration process. Read more(interner Link)

AIMS-DFG Collaboration Visits Programme in mathematics promotes mobility within the framework of initiation of international collaborations

AIMS-DFG Collaboration Visits Programme: Landkarte Afrika mit hervorgehobenen Ländern Senegal, Ghana, Kamerun, Ruanda und Südafrika

(02.07.25) With this call, the DFG and the African Institutes for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) support the initiation of international research collaborations in the mathematical sciences between researchers in early career phases from African countries and researchers at German universities. Read more(interner Link)

EU Delegation Strengthens Research Ties in Rajasthan

Group picture of the EU Delegation members at IIT Jodhpur — EU Delegation Members at IIT Jodhpur

© IIT Jodhpur

(13.06.25) From 5 to 7 March 2025, the DFG Office India participated in the outreach visit of the EU delegation to Jodhpur and Udaipur in India, which are emerging hubs for research and education. Engaging with institutions such as IIT Jodhpur, AIIMS Jodhpur and IIM Udaipur, the aim of the visit was to explore collaboration opportunities and promote the EU’s research and innovation landscape. Read more(interner Link)

DFG Supported Academic Visit of Early Career Researcher to India

Group picture at the regional WHS meeting 2025 New Delhi — Regional WHS meeting 2025 New Delhi. L to R: Prof. Dr. Mujaheed Shaikh, Professor of Health Governance, Hertie School Berlin; Dr. Vaibhav Agarwal, DFG Office India: Ms Aadishree Jamkhedkar, Head of Programmes, DWIH New Delhi; Mr. Nitij Singh, South Asia Representative, Hertie School Berlin; Mr Jan Panhuysen, Hertie School Berlin

© Hertie School Berlin

(11.06.25) As part of its mission to promote academic collaboration between India and Germany, the DFG Office India supported the visit of Mr. Jan Panhuysen, a PhD student in his final year at Hertie School, Berlin, to India. His trip included participation in the World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2025 in New Delhi, where he joined an Indo-German panel on neglected tropical diseases. He also engaged with academic institutions in Delhi and Mumbai, fostering dialogue and future partnerships. Read more(interner Link)

DFG-Programme Point Sud 2026

(11.06.25) Are you interested in organising Africa-related events in the humanities and social sciences? The call for applications is open until 15 August 2025 and available in German(externer Link), English(externer Link) and French(externer Link).

Following the Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Joint Call for Proposals: A*STAR Visits the DFG

Group picture of the delegation of A*STAR in front of the DFG headquarter — from left to right: Nicole Öhlschläger, Tuyet Mai Hua, Melody Goh, Wei Lin Gan, Dr. Enru Lin, Professor Dr. Andy Hor, Dr. Ingrid Krüßmann, Britta Möller, Dr. Kerstin Freitag, Sandra Kristin Muskalla

© Private

(04.06.25) In connection with efforts to intensify the research partnership between Germany and Singapore, a delegation led by Professor Dr. Andy Hor, Deputy Chief Executive (Research) of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), visited the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) in Bonn on 15 May 2025. Read more(interner Link)

Funding Opportunity for Japanese-German Workshops and Research Visits

Kleine Figuren, die wie Dioden leuchten und durch Drähte verbunden sind symbolisieren die internationale Kooperation — © Adobe Stock / touseef

(03.06.25) The DFG and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) provide a co-funding opportunity for Japanese-German workshops. Read more(interner Link)

SGCI Peer Learning 7-10 April 2025

All participants stand in semicircle together and pose for the photo. — Group picture with DFG President Katja Becker

© DFG

(17.04.25) Representatives from 16 sub-Saharan African research funders countries visited Bonn for an exchange on research funding topics. Read more(interner Link)

Kazakh Ambassador Visits the DFG

H. E. Dr. Nurlan Onzhanov and Dr. Heide Ahrens stand next to each other in front of an illuminated DFG sign, two chairs and a small table and pose for the photo. — Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan H.E. Dr. Nurlan Onzhanov and DFG Secretary General Dr. Heide Ahrens at the DFG Berlin Office.

© DFG

(15.04.25) At the end of March, DFG Secretary General Dr. Heide Ahrens welcomed the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Dr. Nurlan Onzhanov, to the DFG Berlin Office. He was accompanied by Leila Ashimzhanova, Counsellor and Head of the Embassy’s Education and Culture Section. Read more(interner Link)

DFG President Katja Becker Meets with Japanese Ambassador

Professor Dr. Katja Becker and H.E. Mitsuko Shino stand next to each other and hold a wrapped present in their hands. — DFG President Professor Dr. Katja Becker and H.E. Mitsuko Shino, Ambassador of Japan in Berlin

© DFG

(09.04.25) On 3 April, DFG President Professor Dr. Katja Becker and H.E. Mitsuko Shino, Ambassador of Japan, met for talks at the Japanese Embassy in Berlin. The aim of the meeting was to get to know each other and exchange views on bilateral relations. Read more(interner Link)

DFG at the DWIH Indo-German Forum 2025

Group picture of the Panel Discussion "The Future of International Research Collaboration" — Panel Discussion "The Future of International Research Collaboration: Frameworks, Partnerships, and Impact". L to R: Dr. Katja Lasch, Prof. Dr. Angela Ittel, Prof. Dr. V. Ramgopal Rao, Prof. Oliver Günther, Prof. Dr. Varghese, Prof. Dr. Michael Karl Hoch, Dr Geetha Vani Rayasam

© DWIH/DAAD

(07.04.25) On March 20, 2025, the DWIH-Neu Delhi hosted the Indo-German Forum 2025, a landmark event bringing together key stakeholders from academia, research, and policy from India and Germany. The event focused on strengthening Indo-German research collaboration and explored topics such as researcher mobility, equitable partnerships, and technology transfer. With over 250 participants, including representatives from leading institutions like DAAD, DFG, MPG, AvH and major German universities, the forum celebrated the long-term success of the Indo-German research partnership. Read more(interner Link)

TWAS-DFG Cooperation Visits Programme

(19.03.25) Are you interested in conducting research together with early career researchers from a Sub-Saharan Africa country(interner Link) or a country out of the MENA region(interner Link)? See here two calls for applications for a visit to Germany (application deadline: 19.05.2025).

ASPIRE: Call for Proposals 2025 for Japanese Researchers and Funding of Two New Projects under Joint Call with the DFG

Hellblauer abstrakter Hintergrund mit weißen, teilweise unscharfen Punkten — © AdobeStock / NickArt

(17.03.25) The DFG partner organisation Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) has published a new call for proposals under the programme Adopting Sustainable Partnerships for Innovative Research Ecosystem (ASPIRE) to promote international exchange and researcher mobility. In addition, the DFG and JST are funding two new research projects in the field of quantum technologies under a joint call. Read more(interner Link)

A*STAR-DFG Joint Call on Sustainable Chemistry

(17.03.25) Recognising the importance of international collaboration in promoting scientific discoveries, the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR) and the DFG have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on research cooperation. Read more(interner Link)

Funding opportunity for Korean-German Workshops and Research Visits

(04.03.25) The DFG and the NRF are providing a co-funding opportunity for Korean-German joint workshops and research visits. Read more(interner Link)

DFG funds 75 research guest visits in Germany

(07.02.25) As part of the “TWAS-DFG Cooperation Visits Programme”, the DFG is funding 75 guest visits for researchers in early career phases and from all disciplines. Fifty researchers from 18 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and 25 researchers from eleven countries in the MENA region will be able to establish initial contacts with researchers in Germany. The three-month guest visits also enable the development of joint research ideas. Read more(interner Link)

2025