In the funding newsletter ‘F?rderbrief’ of the University of Jena, scientists and scholars can find current information on national and international calls for proposals.
The Walter Benjamin ProgrammeExternal link gives researchers in the phase of qualification following their doctorate the opportunity to independently implement their own research project at a location of their choice. The project can be carried out at a research institution in Germany or abroad, and the hosting institution supports the project. (Source: DFG)
The Individual Research GrantsExternal link enable individuals who have completed their academic training to conduct at any time research projects with clearly defined topics and durations, regardless of the subject. The funding period is initially limited to a maximum of three years. After that, researchers can apply for a continuation of the funding. (Source: DFG)
By applying for the module ‘Temporary Positions for Principal InvestigatorsExternal link’, researchers can obtain funds to finance their position as project leader for the duration of their project. The module enables researchers from Germany and abroad to focus exclusively on the proposed scientific project at a German research institution. (Source: DFG).
The DFG's Emmy Noether ProgrammeExternal link offers particularly qualified young researchers (up to 4 years after their doctorate) the opportunity to qualify for a position as a university professor by leading a junior research group on their own responsibility over a period of six years. (Source: DFG)
If you already meet all the requirements for appointment to a permanent professorship, you can apply to the Heisenberg ProgrammeExternal link. While you prepare for a future senior academic role, the DFG provides funding to enable you to carry on with high-quality research at the institution of your choice and continue building your academic reputation. (Source: DFG)
Postdoctoral Fellowship (PF)External link are open to researchers with a doctorate. Applicants are free to choose the research topic, which must be carried out at a host institution in an EU Member State or in a country associated to the Framework Programme. Applications must be submitted jointly with the host institution and an academic supervisor.
ERC Starting GrantsExternal link are aimed at excellent young researchers (2-7 years after their doctorate) who wish to start their own independent career and establish their own research group (up to 1.5 million euros for 5 years).
ERC Consolidator GrantsExternal link are aimed at excellent researchers (7-12 years after their doctorate) who wish to build on their excellent research achievements and establish their own independent research group (up to 2 million euros for 5 years). (Source: NCP ERC)
As part of the CZS NexusExternal link funding programme, the Carl Zeiss Foundation supports outstanding young scientists (up to 4 years after their doctorate) who want to implement exciting ideas at the interfaces between different STEM disciplines. Up to 1.5 million eurps can be applied for over 5 years to set up their own junior research group.
The DAAD provides scholarships and third-party funding for projects and partnerships with international universities. It offers extensive funding programmes for scientists and university teachers in a variety of target countries.
Please use the websites of the scholarship providers or the DAADExternal link scholarship database for external funding programmes and individual funding.
The Alexander von Humboldt FoundationExternal link promotes exchange between excellent foreign and German researchers, e.g. with research fellowships, research awards and the prestigious Humboldt Professorship, irrespective of discipline and nationality.
Research Fellowships: Scientists and scholars of all disciplines and nationalities are eligible to apply, provided that they have an academic cooperation partner (host).
Research Awards: Nominations are made by an academic cooperation partner.
The Volkswagen FoundationExternal link promotes individual and collaborative research projects in the humanities and natural sciences. The Foundation has a special focus on fostering cooperation between researchers beyond disciplinary and national borders. It focuses its funding on selected funding initiatives. With these initiatives, the Foundation aims to provide effective impulses and establish pioneering topics.
Have you become aware of an award procedure and would like to nominate yourself, your doctoral students, young researchers or colleagues?
Collaborative Research CentresExternal link are long-term research institutions at universities, established for a period of up to twelve years, in which scientists and scholars cooperate within the framework of an interdisciplinary research programme.
They make it possible to work on innovative, demanding, elaborate and long-term research projects by coordinating and pooling people and resources at the applicant universities. In doing so, they contribute to the creation of institutional priorities and structures. Cooperation with non-university research institutions is expressly encouraged. Collaborative Research Centres consist of a multitude of projects, the number and size of which are determined by the research programme. The individual projects are led single scientist or by several scientists working together.
Research Training GroupsExternal link are institutions within universities that promote young researchers and are funded by the DFG for a maximum of nine years.
The focus is on the qualification of doctoral candidates in the context of a thematically focused research programme and a structured qualification concept. The research training groups should have an interdisciplinary orientation. The aim is to prepare doctoral candidates intensively for the complex labour market of "science" and at the same time to support their early scientific independence.
A Research UnitExternal link is a close working alliance of several outstanding scientists and/or scholars who work together on a research task. The thematic, temporal and financial dimensions of the research project go far beyond the funding possibilities offered in the context of individual funding under the Individual Grants Programme or Priority Programme. The funding of research groups is intended to help provide the necessary personnel and material resources for a close medium-term cooperation of usually eight years. Research Units often contribute to establishing new research directions. As far as quality criteria are concerned, the same principles apply as for Research Grants.
The preparation of applications in coordinated programmes of the DFG can be supported with positions from the Research Committee's pool of positions?de?de.
The federal ministries support the implementation of research and innovation projects in the context of thematic and open-topic funding programmes. The range of funding is tailored to important fields of innovation or technology, but also to different challenges and starting conditions in our society. Please click hereExternal link for the latest federal announcements.
The current Framework Programme of the European Union—Horizon EuropeExternal link—provides funding for multidisciplinary research and development projects at the European level in various funding programmes. The core consists of the following three pillarsExternal link: Excellent Science (free space for scientific (basic) research, here in particular Future and Emerging Technologies — FET), Industrial Leadership (strengthening the competitiveness of the economy) and Societal Challenges (addressing societal challenges for the European citizen).
The Marie Sk?odowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN)External link offer funding for structured doctoral training networks for up to four years. The aim is to enhance the scientific and general competences of early career researchers within an international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral research and training programme.
The project funding instruments set out in three guidelines and a state programmeExternal linkDE support projects ranging from knowledge-based basic research to marketable implementation in companies.
The programmes of the Carl Zeiss FoundationExternal link follow an annual theme. The annual theme for 2021 is ‘Scientific Breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence’. The number of applications is limited, which is why the University management preselects them.
As part of the 'Breakthroughs — Excellence in ResearchExternal link’ programme, the Carl Zeiss Foundation helps universities to further develop and expand their already proven research strengths.
As part of the ‘Perspectives — Excellence in ResearchExternal link’ programme, the Carl Zeiss Foundation supports universities in developing their potential in promising research fields.
The Volkswagen FoundationExternal link promotes individual and collaborative research projects in the humanities and natural sciences. The Foundation has a special focus on fostering cooperation between researchers beyond disciplinary and national borders. It focuses its funding on selected funding initiatives. With these initiatives, the Foundation aims to provide effective impulses and establish pioneering topics.
In accordance with Article 91b of the German Basic Law and as part of the programme ‘Funding for Major InstrumentationExternal link’, the DFG provides funds for the proportional (50%) financing of major research instrumentation at universities. The investment projects for university research must be of particular scientific quality and transregional significance. The necessity of their procurement and use must be justified solely by their use in research. The equipment may also be used in teaching and/or clinical care (source: DFG).
For advice, please contact the Office of the Vice-President for Research.
Research buildings are new buildings, conversions or extensions, including large-scale equipment at higher education institutions. The federal states submit proposals for research buildings to the German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat) for review. The Council makes recommendations to the Joint Science Conference (GWK) on the projects to be carried out. The GWK decides annually, in the context of funding phases, which research building projects are to be implemented (source: DFG).
For advice, please contact the Office of the Vice-President for Research.
The funding database?ELFIExternal link provide information on further funding opportunities. Members of the University of Jena can search the database free of charge.
Would you like personal advice? Please directly contact the staff of the Service Centre for Research and Transfer.
The Graduate Academy of Friedrich Schiller University offers career advice for postdocs.