Purpose of Funding

Close-knit, medium-term cooperation between several researchers with an outstanding track record who work on a defined research task with the aim of achieving results that go well beyond what would be possible with individual grants. Measures tailored specifically to the Research Unit are pursued in order to promote researchers in early career phases and also equity and diversity. A Research Unit typically comprises fewer than ten projects which are coordinated so as to enable work on a common research topic. The majority of the research projects are to be based at universities. 

Eligibility

Researchers in all disciplines at German research institutions who have completed their academic training (as a rule, those holding a doctorate).

Not eligible: Members of organisations that serve purely commercial purposes; members of organisations who are not permitted to publish their results in a publicly accessible form. 

Requirements of Research Units

• The scientific quality and originality of the research endeavour must be internationally competitive.
• Close, medium-term collaboration within a network.
• Clear added value of funding as a network compared to individual grants.
• Convincing working hypotheses and a well-defined research topic.
• Qualifications of the project leaders and suitability of the spokesperson to lead the Research Unit.
• Network measures to support researchers in early career phases and promote equity and diversity.

Type and Scope of Funding

Please see the Guidelines of Research Units Programme(interner Link).

Modules:

• Basic Module(interner Link)
• Temporary Positions for Principal Investigators(interner Link)
• Replacements(interner Link)
• Temporary Substitutes for Clinicians(interner Link)
• Professorships(interner Link)
• Mercator Fellows(interner Link)
• Project-Specific Workshops(interner Link)
• Start-Up Funding(interner Link)
• Coordination(interner Link)
• Network Funds(interner Link)
• Public Relations(interner Link)
• Standard Allowance for Equity and Diversity(interner Link)

Emmy Noether Groups and funding recipients under the Heisenberg Programme can be associated with a Research Unit.

Funding Duration

Generally up to eight years, divided into two funding periods of four years each.

Forms and Guidelines

Here you can find the Forms and Guidelines(interner Link).

• Draft proposal: can be submitted at any time. Revised draft proposals may only be re-submitted once.
• Establishment proposal: no submission deadline.
• Renewal proposal: six months before the end of the current funding period.

To support better planning, applicants are advised to consult the department responsible at the DFG Head Office at an early stage regarding their intended submission date for the draft proposal or for the establishment/renewal proposal.

Draft proposals

A draft proposal submitted by the designated spokesperson is first reviewed by at least two external experts and then assessed by the relevant review board. Depending on the review board in question, draft proposals are considered either on a regular basis or at selected meetings. Based on the responsible review board’s recommendation, the DFG Senate then decides whether to recommend the elaboration of an establishment proposal based on the draft proposal.

Establishment/renewal proposal

A proposal that is submitted for the establishment or renewal of a Research Unit is discussed by a panel that includes external reviewers, members of the review boards responsible and a member of the DFG Senate. Based on their review and a recommendation by the DFG Senate, the DFG Joint Committee decides whether to fund (or continue to fund) the Research Unit. The DFG Joint Committee makes decisions on the funding of Research Units four times a year.

The DFG has a wide range of options to support Research Units in engaging in international collaboration.

DFG Support for Collaborative Ventures

• Travel funds and guest funds for foreign cooperation partners under the Basic Module(interner Link)
• Travel funds and, where applicable, remuneration for foreign cooperation partners in connection with the Mercator Fellows(interner Link) module
• Travel funds for foreign cooperation partners under the Project-Specific Workshops(interner Link) module
• Funds for project implementation by the foreign cooperation partner under special procedures via transfer of funds on the part of the project management entitled to apply to the DFG (cooperation with the Middle East Collaboration(interner Link) and Cooperation with Developing Countries(interner Link))
• By way of an exception, proposals can be submitted directly by the foreign researcher to the DFG if the project abroad makes an important additional contribution to achieving the goals of the Research Unit and adds significant value to the projects planned in Germany.

Support for Cooperation Provided by Foreign Partner Organisations

• Under the D-A-CH (with Austria and Switzerland), D-Lux (with Luxembourg) and D-Süd (with South Tyrol) lead agency procedures
  • Joint Proposal Submission with Austria and Switzerland (D-A-CH)(interner Link)
  • Joint Proposal Submission with Luxembourg (D-LUX)(interner Link)
  • Joint Proposal Submission with South Tyrol (D-SÜD)(interner Link)
• or an academic institution abroad based on an individual agreement (only on prior consultation with the DFG Head Office).

For information on the establishment of Research Units, please contact the programme contacts(interner Link) responsible at the DFG Head Office. Be sure to get in touch with them at an early stage.