Financing, organization and implementation of events
Organizing and holding scientific events such as meetings or conferences not only offers an opportunity for scientific exchange, but also for networking and possibly also the opportunity to position research topics more strongly. If you are looking for ways to finance a meeting or conference, you will find initial information below.
If you are interested in financing a conference visit, you can find more information on the mobility page.
Funding possibilities and funding agencies
Usually event funding is a mixed funding. Usual funding sources are the following:
- Funding programs for the (partial) funding of specific types of events: The funding possibilities are usually related to specific event formats. These differ in terms of which disciplines or topics are to be supported, the scope of the event, or the purpose of the event.
- Funding within the framework of a third-party funded research project: For either individual projects or collaborative projects, funding can often be requested for events such as conferences or workshops.
- Donations or sponsoring: In case of donations and sponsoring, please contact the Division of Third-Party Funding Management and Legal Matters in Research and Development of the Department of Finance and Procurement by e-mail in advance.
Funding profile
The DFG funding opportunity "International Scientific Events and Annual Meetings of Scientific Societies" aims to provide financial support for the organization of internationally oriented scientific events in Germany through a grant to cover shortfalls. In addition, annual meetings of German scientific societies can be funded by providing travel grants for invited international speakers.
Scope of funding
For international scientific events, funding is provided as a shortfall grant, the amount of which depends on the number of participating (usually doctoral) scientists and may include material, personnel and travel costs as well as room and equipment costs. For annual meetings of German professional societies, a grant of up to EUR 40,000 is possible, which is based on the expected travel costs of the invited international speakers.
Eligibility to apply
Applications for international scientific events can be submitted by scientists with a doctorate or higher who work at German or German research institutions abroad. Specialist societies are eligible to apply for annual conferences, whereby the application must be submitted by a person authorized to represent the society.
Deadlines and selection procedure
The DFG generally needs six months to make a decision. This is done administratively on the basis of the application documents.
Funding profile
The Fritz Thyssen Foundation's conference funding supports scientific conferences, primarily smaller nationally and internationally oriented events, in order to promote the discussion of specific scientific issues and the professional networking of scientists. Thematically, the funding is oriented towards the Foundation's funding areas such as history, language & culture, state, economy & society as well as medicine and natural sciences.
Scope of funding
Funding is provided for the costs of actively participating scientists, including travel expenses, accommodation and meals, as well as minor ancillary conference costs (e.g. printing, student assistants, room costs) and necessary childcare; fees are generally not eligible for funding.
Eligibility to apply
Applications must be submitted by scientists with a doctorate from universities or non-profit research institutions. As a rule, the number of speakers should not exceed 15 to 20 people.
Deadlines and selection procedure
Submission deadlines are February 28, May 31, August 31 and November 30 of each year; decisions are usually made eight to ten weeks after the deadline. The planned conference should take place at the earliest six months after the respective deadline; a separate selection procedure is ensured by an expert review of the application documents.
Promotion profile
TheScoping Workshops of the Volkswagen Foundationoffer space for intensive scientific exchange and reflection on the status and future development of a research field, in which up to around 30 experts work together to develop perspectives, potentials and development paths. The workshops are designed as working and strategy formats, not as classic presentation conferences, and aim to develop a position paper on the further development of the field.
Scope of funding
Funding is provided for the organization and implementation of a three-day workshop at the Schloss Herrenhausen conference center in Hanover, including the provision of rooms, technical infrastructure, catering and funds for personnel, travel and material expenses; if necessary, costs for student assistants, travel for participants and childcare can also be applied for.
Eligibility to apply
Doctoral researchers from all disciplines employed at a German university or research institution are eligible to apply; international participation is possible as project participants, but there is no obligation to have a majority of international researchers.
Deadlines and selection procedure
Applications are submitted via the funding portal by fixed deadlines (e.g. March 17, 2026); selection is made by an interdisciplinary jury, which decides on the basis of the quality of the content, the objectives of the workshop, the concept for preparing a position paper and the composition of the group of participants, with the decision typically being announced four to five months after receipt of the application.