Invitation of researchers in early career phases from sub-Saharan African countries

Based on the agreement with The World Academy of Sciences for the Advancement of Science in Developing Countries (TWAS), the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) draws the attention of researchers at German research institutions to the possibility of inviting researchers in early career phases and of all disciplines from sub-Saharan African countries to spend three months at their institution in Germany for the purpose of research and cooperation.

The DFG pays the host institution a monthly sum of up to €2,350 to cover the visiting researcher’s accommodation and visa expenses. In addition, the visiting researcher’s flight and rail costs to and from the institution are reimbursed up to an amount of €1,350. In addition to this, the host institution can receive up to €700 per month in funding to cover direct project costs such as material and laboratory costs. 

The requirements for proposal submission by the visiting researchers are as follows:

• At the time of proposal submission, applicants must hold a research position at an institution located in a sub-Saharan African country (i.e., any African country except Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia).

• They must have been engaged in a science system (including graduate and postgraduate training, research, teaching) for at least five years prior to this call in a sub-Saharan African country or one of the following countries: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen.

• They must not have obtained their doctorate before the year 2021. However, visiting female researchers with children may have obtained their doctorate earlier. An extension of two years per child is possible (not before 2015). 

• They must not have an already established collaboration with the intended host.

The DFG funding instrument Initiation of International Collaboration(interner Link) is available for an additional visit, if the aim of the visit is to develop further joint research projects 

Proposals must be submitted to TWAS by visiting researchers no later than 15 April 2026. The proposal must also include an official invitation letter issued by the host that specifies the research topic of the cooperation (not a project proposal) and contains information on the infrastructure that will be made available to the visiting researcher. 

Prior to writing the invitation letter, hosts are asked to ensure that the scientific cooperation with the visiting researcher offers sufficient potential. In case of an award, the host institution is expected to support the visiting researcher in organising their stay which includes flight bookings and finding an accommodation.

The DFG offers the following digital information session for interested hosts and visiting researchers:

• 11 February 2026, 12:00–14:00 p.m. (in English)
  Link to participate: Infosession TWAS DFG Programme SSA English(externer Link)

• 11 February 2026, 12:00–14:00 p.m. (in French)
  Link to participate: Infosession TWAS DFG Programme SSA French(externer Link)

Equity and Diversity

The DFG strongly welcomes proposals from researchers of all genders and sexual identities, from different ethnic, cultural, religious, ideological and social backgrounds, from different career stages, types of universities and research institution, and with disabilities or chronic illness. 

Further Information 

Please find information on the TWAS-DFG Cooperation Visits Programme(externer Link) and all proposal documents required by the TWAS here. 

Please find information on the DFG funding instrument Initiation of International Collaboration(interner Link) here.

Link to the information sheet for the host institution in Germany(Download) (in German only)

Contact at the DFG Head Office, International Affairs

twas-dfg-programme@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.