The funding programme is aimed at members of research information infrastructure facilities in Germany such as libraries, archives, museums, research collections, research data centres or computing and information centres.
The objective of the funding is to promote the digitisation and/or indexing of research-related objects of any kind, including the following:
The programme also enables virtual, cross-disciplinary mergers of collections held at different locations.
With regard to materials for which digitisation and/or indexing standards are yet to be established, the programme also aims to promote the development and/or application of quality criteria.
Furthermore, proposals may be submitted under this funding programme that involve the application of newer methods for digitisation and indexing, e.g. optical character recognition (OCR) or optical layout recognition (OLR), automatic image recognition, named-entity recognition or 3D digitisation.
Background
As part of its Scientific Library Services and Information Systems programmes, the DFG funds projects at research institutions and in particular service and information centres in Germany. The aim is to set up efficient research information systems on a nationwide basis.
Objectives
Funding for bridge project proposals
Eligibility
Members of non-profit research information infrastructure facilities in Germany such as libraries, archives, museums, research collections, research data centres or computing and information centres are generally eligible to submit proposals, regardless of the size of the institution
Any researcher in Germany or working at a German research institution abroad who has completed their academic training, generally by obtaining a doctorate
Cooperation
In case there is a lack of well-founded experience of digitisation and/or indexing projects and the nationwide provision of data, cooperation is recommended with a larger institution dedicated to maintaining holdings, such as a university or state library, a state archive, a larger museum or a media centre, etc.
This also applies to smaller institutions that do not have the personnel and/or infrastructure for such projects.
Scope of the projects
There is neither a minimum nor a maximum limit with regard to the amount of funding which can be applied for. The proposal volume is derived from the costing of the project.
Project results
It must be guaranteed that the digitised assets and metadata can be permanently stored and are accessible at the institution taking part in the project.
Good Research Practice (GRP)
If your institution has not yet implemented GRP at all, i.e. not even in the previous version, please get in touch with us before submitting a proposal.
Instructions on the use of the programme allowance for indirect project costs
The proposal can only be submitted via the DFG’s elan portal.
All applicants must have registered on the elan portal before the proposal is submitted. Please note that registration on the elan portal can take up to 24 hours.
Digitisation and/or indexing of holdings and collections that are of nationwide importance to research
Requirements
Digitisation projects
Indexing projects
Specific material types
Staff
Funding for direct project costs
A comparative offer is to be submitted.
Instrumentation costs
If devices (scanners, camera systems etc.) are applied for, a rationale must be provided for the project-specific requirements as distinct from core support.
One third of the project-specific costs must be provided as the applicant's own financial contribution
The applicant’s own financial contributions can comprise the following
The process of review, evaluation and decision-making on proposals should be expected to take more than six months.
Review
Evaluation
Decision
The final decision on proposals is made by the Joint Committee of the DFG.
The drawdown of funds is handled by means of a form. Please complete and sign the form “41.031 – Drawdown Research Grants (Third-Party Funds)” (available in German only) and send the original to:
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
– Financial Grant Management –
53170 Bonn, Germany
Interim report
Final report