Colombian-German Collaboration in Research
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) and the Universidad Nacional de Colombia (UNAL) offer joint funding opportunities for bilateral research projects in any field of research under a Standing Open Procedure (SOP). Under the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding between the DFG and the UNAL, researchers from Germany and the UNAL have the opportunity to apply for jointly organised bilateral research projects of outstanding scientific quality.
Under this SOP, parallel submission of proposals under the (interner Link) is possible at any time without deadlines. Researchers may apply for a funding period of up to three years in any field of research. Specific guidelines for this joint funding scheme can be found (Download).
Please note that the eligibility criteria and the duty to cooperate (“Kooperationspflicht”) within Germany fully apply under this funding opportunity for members of non-university institutions with permanent positions. Please note that any duty to cooperate for DFG applicants at non-university research institutions can only be fulfilled through cooperation with a partner at a German university. For more information on the duty to cooperate, please refer to the “Guidelines on the Duty to Cooperate” ((interner Link)).
Applicants should demonstrate how bringing together researchers based at UNAL in Colombia and in Germany will add value and advance their research. It is expected that each partner substantially contributes to the joint project. The team of applicants should ensure that there is a plan for the effective delivery and coordination of research between the partners.
Please note that the DFG does not provide separate funds for these efforts; proposals must succeed on the strengths of their intellectual merit and teams in competition with all other proposals under the Research Grants Programme. The documents submitted to the DFG and the UNAL must not differ with regard to the scientific content of the proposal or to the applicants involved.
Proposals are to be submitted solely via the (externer Link) in order to ensure proposal-related data is recorded and documents are securely transmitted. For submission, German partners should go to “Proposal for a Research Grant” in the Proposal Forms column (Proposal Submission > New Project > Individual Grants Programme > Proposal for a Research Grant). Please select “COLOMBIA UNAL 20XX (current year) – Joint Research Grants” to tag your proposal.
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 will normally receive confirmation of your registration by the next working day. UNAL applicants are kindly requested to adhere to all the requirements listed on the UNAL’s website and to submit their proposals to the UNAL’s Hermes System (see details in the guidelines).
Review and Decision Process
The review process is carried out separately on each side. Funding of the joint research projects is contingent upon positive assessment by both funding organisations, DFG and UNAL. Unilateral funding of only one part of a project is not possible.
Further Cooperation of the DFG with Colombia
Besides this newly established cooperation with the UNAL, joint funding possibilities together with Colombian partners on the basis of the SOP are also possible with the (Download), the (interner Link), and the (interner Link).
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.
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 (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 (externer Link). If you have any questions on this subject, please contact the (externer Link) at the DFG Head Office.
Further Information
Guidelines for the Research Funding Scheme between the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and the Universidad Nacional de Colombia (UNAL) may be found (Download).
General information for German principal investigators on the Individual Research Grants may be found (interner Link).
Information on the elan portal:
Contact Person at the DFG Head Office in Bonn
(externer Link), Tel. +49 228 885-2347
Contact Person at the DFG Office Latin America (based in São Paulo, available during local business hours)
(externer Link), Tel. +49 228 885-4550
Contact Person at the VR for Research at UNAL
Dr. José Manuel Lozano, Tel. +57601 316-5000 Ext. 20050, (externer Link); (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 (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.