The DFG's funding instruments offer all stakeholders in the German research system a wide range of access routes to universities and non-university research institutions. They are specifically designed to support individuals at all stages of their academic careers.
They are open to researchers from around the world who wish to conduct research in Germany.
Through the Global Minds Initiative Germany, the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) aims to offer international researchers prospects within the German research system. Here, the funding opportunities offered by the DFG, the DAAD and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) create excellent conditions. Individuals working at a research institution abroad are eligible to apply.
The DFG's current planning in this context is based on the federal government's medium-term financial framework and funds pledged by the BMFTR, which are the subject of the current parliamentary budget deliberations.
The initiative combines existing DFG programmes with new elements. Since summer 2025, it has been possible to make use of existing individual funding programmes and the Temporary Positions for Principal Investigators module under the Research Grants Programme. In addition, the DFG has launched a call in October 2025 for existing Clusters of Excellence and Collaborative Research Centres (including CRC/Transregio) to apply for additional funding to attract outstanding researchers from abroad.
If you are interested in receiving funding, we recommend contacting potential host institutions at an early stage. The German Research Institutions (GERiT)(externer Link) information system can help you with your search.
Emmy Noether Programme: Early Independence on the Path to Professorship
The Emmy Noether Programme(interner Link)enables exceptionally qualified early career researchers to qualify for a university professorship and pursue their own innovative research ideas by independently leading a research group over a period of six years.
Target group
Postdoctoral researchers up to 4 years after obtaining a doctorate
Funding duration
6 Years
Funding scope
Position as group leader, junior professorship, together with funding for staff, project-specific resources and direct project costs
Heisenberg Programme: The Final Stage before a Professorship
The Heisenberg Programme(interner Link)is aimed at outstanding researchers who already meet all the requirements for appointment to a permanent professorship. The funding enables them to carry out high‑level research projects at a location of their choice so that they can further enhance their academic reputation and refine their research profile while at the same time continuing to prepare for a senior academic leadership position.
Target group
researchers in all disciplines who have qualified for a professorship by completing their habilitation or an equivalent qualification and who have a track record of outstanding research work
Funding duration
up to 5 years
Funding scope
Position equivalent to pay grade E15 or a tenure‑track professorship, combined with the option of applying for a research grant (doctoral researchers, project‑specific resources and direct project costs)
Walter Benjamin Programme: Foundation for an Academic Career
The Walter Benjamin Programme(interner Link)supports the further development of an academic career through an independent research project, starting immediately after completion of a doctorate. As a funding instrument designed to match the high degree of flexibility and mobility typical of its target group, it can be activated swiftly to attract talented researchers to the German research system at an early career stage
Target group
Postdoctoral researchers immediately after they have completed their doctorate
Researchers who have completed their academic training (generally a doctorate).
Funding duration
Project-specific (usually several years)
Funding scope
Various modules can be applied for under the Research Grants Programme, depending on the research idea
Global Minds in DFG Consortia
This funding initiative allows DFG-funded consortia in the Excellence Clusters funding line of Germany’s Excellence Strategy and the DFG’s Collaborative Research Centres programme (the latter including the Transregio programme variation) to integrate an outstanding, experienced researcher from abroad into their work – either through a professorship or as a fellow who collaborates with the consortium on a long-term basis and also spends extended periods of time in Germany during this period.
The Excellence Clusters funding line of Germany’s Excellence Strategy(interner Link) supports internationally competitive research areas at German universities. From January 2026, a total of 70 Excellence Clusters (EXC) will receive funding. They are consortia of outstanding researchers who collaborate in a specific field of research. Through diverse collaborations and excellent research infrastructures, the Excellence Clusters offer outstanding conditions for excellent research.
Collaborative Research Centres(interner Link) (CRC) are long-term university-based research institutions, in which researchers work together within a multidisciplinary research programme. They allow researchers to tackle innovative, challenging, complex and long-term research projects through the coordination and concentration of individuals and resources within the applicant universities. Collaborative Research Centres consist of a large number of projects. The number and scope of these projects depend on the research programme.
EXC and CRC can apply for additional funding for the integration of outstanding researchers from abroad, through either the Professorships or the Mercator Fellows Global module:
Module
Professorships
Target group
Clusters of Excellence and Collaborative Research Centres: for attracting an outstanding researcher from abroad who meets all requirements for an appointment to a long-term professorship.
Funding duration
5 years
Funding scope
Up to €3.5 million: staff funding for the professorship, additional funding for staff (in particular for doctoral researchers), direct project costs and instrumentation
Module
Mercator Fellows Global
Target group
Clusters of Excellence and Collaborative Research Centres: for attracting an outstanding researcher from abroad who does not (yet) intend to make a permanent move to the German research system, but will work actively within the consortium as a long-term fellow, including one or several extended periods of residence in Germany.
Funding duration
For 15-36 months within in the 5-year funding period
Funding scope
Up to €650,000: staff funding for the Mercator Fellow, additional funding for staff (in particular for doctoral researchers), direct project costs and instrumentation
"The initiative comes at exactly the right time, enabling leading international researchers to continue their work under excellent conditions while freely choosing their topics and methods. At the same time, it supports the principle of global brain circulation, something that has been actively embraced and promoted by the German research system for many years. And yes – Germany’s research and innovation system stands to benefit, too. But above all, the initiative strengthens the global research community and its chances of success in confronting climate change, forced migration, energy crises, pandemics and much more besides. Through this programme, we are taking a strong and united stand – for freedom, for openness and for the future not only of science and the humanities but of our coexistence and survival.”
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