Purpose

To enable scientists and academics to carry out a research project on a specifically defined topic within a limited time period.

Eligibility Requirements

Qualified researchers (as a rule, those holding a doctorate) from all disciplines working at German research institutions.

Researchers working at institutions which serve purely commercial purposes or those who are not permitted to publish findings in a generally accessible form are not eligible to apply.

Proposal Requirements

A research project of high scientific quality and originality, carried out at an international level.

Type and Extent of Funding

Here you can find the guidelines for the Research Grants Programme(interner Link).

Modules:

• Basic Module(interner Link)
• Temporary Positions for Principal Investigators(interner Link)
• Replacements(interner Link)
• Temporary Substitutes for Clinicians(interner Link)
• Project-Specific Workshops(interner Link)
• Mercator Fellows(interner Link)
• Public Relations(interner Link)
• Standard Allowance for Gender Equality Measures(interner Link)

Funding Duration

The duration of funding is based on the individual project needs (as a rule, several years).

Forms and Guidelines

All guidelines, templates and further forms for this programme can be found in the forms and guidelines(interner Link).

The first proposal may be submitted at any time.

The renewal proposal should be submitted at least 6 months before the approved funds have been exhausted.

The DFG has a wide range of options to support research groups engaging in international collaboration.

DFG support for collaborative ventures

• Travel funds and guest funds for foreign cooperation partners as part of the Basic Module(interner Link)
• Travel funds and, where applicable, remuneration for foreign cooperation partners in connection with the Mercator Fellows Module(interner Link)
• Travel funds for foreign cooperation partners in connection with the Project-Specific Workshops Module(interner Link)
• 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 (Middle East Cooperation(interner Link) and cooperation with developing countries(interner Link))

Support for cooperation provided by foreign partner organisations

• Here you can find international calls for proposals(interner Link) with DFG partner organisations
• In the case of the so-called Standing Open Procedures(interner Link) (Weave Lead Agency procedure and others), proposal submission along with European cooperation partners (in the Weave Lead Agency procedure)

In addition, researchers at a foreign research institution can participate as part of a so-called “general international cooperation”.

Further Information

Here you can find futher information about the funding in an International Context(interner Link).

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) uses the term ‘long-term project’ to refer to research projects in the humanities and social sciences that require continuous funding for at least 7 years and a maximum of 12 years (possible examples being editions, corpora, archaeological excavations, and social or behavioural longitudinal studies). To be recognised as a long-term project, a project must be characterised by its central scholarly importance, thorough preparation and planning, and professional management. For further information please have a look at the project details of the Long-Term Projects in the Humanities and Social Sciences(interner Link).

For detailed information on the proposal process please refer to the Programme Contacts(interner Link).