The own junior research group
Junior research groups are independent working groups at a university or research institution (within an institute or Department ). An early career researcher with a doctorate and about 2-5 years of experience after the doctorate leads them. Junior research groups enable the group leader to conduct independent research and to develop a scientific profile. In selected programs, the junior research group leader even acquires the ability to be appointed to a professorship.
The management of junior research groups – a component of a scientific career
Various funding agencies provide funding for junior research groups – from the DFG and the EU to foundations such as the Volkswagen Foundation, and ministries.
Leading a junior research group provides you with the best prerequisites for an appointment as a university lecturer. As a rule, leading a junior research group is recognized as a habilitation-equivalent achievement (depending on the subject area). In detail, this means:
- Independent research
- Own budget = own third-party funds
- Independent management of an own working group
- Supervision of doctoral researchers
- Reputation
Overview of the Various Funding Programs
Funding Profile
The Emmy Noether Program offers exceptionally qualified researchers in the early stages of their careers the opportunity to qualify for a university professorship by independently leading a junior research group (with appropriate teaching responsibilities commensurate with their qualifications) —as a path to tenure even without a traditional habilitation. The target group consists of postdocs and junior professors on fixed-term contracts in the early stages of their careers; junior professors who have received a positive interim evaluation are excluded.
Scope of Funding
Funding is provided for 6 years. It generally covers the position of young research group leader as well as—as needed—additional personnel and material resources.
Eligibility and Deadlines
Eligible applicants are researchers from all disciplines, generally up to 4 years after earning their doctorate (medicine/psychology: up to 6 years), typically with at least 2 years of postdoctoral experience and substantial international research experience; those who have already attained tenure or are on the verge of doing so (e.g., habilitation or equivalent qualifications) are ineligible. Applications may be submitted at any time; applicants from abroad are expected to continue their research careers in Germany after the funding period (letter of intent).
Selection Process
Selection takes place through a competitive peer-review process with external evaluations; Criteria for evaluation include, among other things, qualifications and publication record, the originality and potential for new insights of the project, the work plan and methodology, as well as research opportunities and the environment at the host institution (including, if applicable, multiple potential host institutions).
The NRW Return Program supports highly qualified early-career researchers returning to North Rhine-Westphalia from abroad. This year’s focus is on AI, digital sovereignty, and trustworthy information infrastructures
Funding Profile
The NRW Return Program supports highly qualified early-career researchers who are returning to North Rhine-Westphalia from abroad and wish to establish an independent early-career research group at a university there.
TU Dortmund University offers a strong research environment for artificial intelligence, data science, and secure digital infrastructures. Here, researchers combine methodological basic research with questions of trustworthiness, security, and the societal design of digital systems.
Would you like to apply to the NRW Return Program to establish your own early-career research group at TU Dortmund University? Explore selected research areas that align with your project’s focus. Projects that combine multiple subject areas are especially welcome. With the Lamarr Institute for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, the Research Center Trustworthy Data Science and Security (RC Trust) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Software and Systems Engineering ISST offer excellent opportunities for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, data science, and various specialized application areas. For example, TU Dortmund University contributes its expertise in AI and drug discovery to the new cross-campus research cluster AI4CancerCure.NRW . You can find additional groups in the overview of AI research at TU Dortmund University.
Beyond TU Dortmund University, the Ruhr University Alliance (UA Ruhr) and the Ruhr Innovation Lab offer a wide range of opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with researchers from neighboring universities in the Ruhr region—including in disciplines where AI-based methods have not yet been used, or have only been used sporadically
Funding Scope
Funding is provided for the establishment of a junior research group at a university in North Rhine-Westphalia over a period of five years. Up to 1.25 million euros is available per junior research group.
Eligibility
Early-career researchers may apply if two to six years have passed since they earned their doctorate by the application deadline; for medicine, the deadline is up to nine years. An additional requirement is that they have been successfully conducting research outside Germany for at least twelve months and had their primary residence in Germany prior to their stay abroad; German citizenship is not required.
Deadlines and Selection Process
The application deadline for the 2026 call for proposals is January 8, 2027; the selection symposium is scheduled for May/June 2027, nominations for June/July 2027, and funding is set to begin in 2028. The process consists of two stages.
Advice and Further Information
TU Dortmund University offers you a wide range of support in establishing your junior research group and settling into life in Dortmund—from research funding and research data management to career development, technology transfer, and startup support, as well as welcome services, family and work-life balance, and dual-career support. In addition, there are numerous opportunities for academic networking both within and outside TU Dortmund University.
Dr. Felix Stehle, the central contact for the Return Program, will advise you on your application and the specific conditions for establishing your junior research group and, if necessary, connect you with the appropriate contacts and resources within TU Dortmund University (felix.stehle@tu-dortmund.de).
Information on eligibility requirements, deadlines, and the application process can be found on the MKW program page.
Your Research Environment and Life in Dortmund
- Developing a Research Career: The UARuhr Research Academy offers interdisciplinary training and networking opportunities. The Graduate Center advises and coaches leaders of early-career research groups on leadership, mentoring, and the professorship.
- Organizing Research Professionally: The Research Funding Office provides advice on funding opportunities and grant applications. The Research Data Management Service provides support with data management plans, repositories, and the publication of research data.
- Balancing Research and Family Life: The Family Service provides advice on child care, parental leave, returning to work, and caring for family members. On-campus childcare options help you balance work and family life.
- Opportunities for partners: TU Dortmund University is part of the Ruhr Dual Career Network. Its Dual Career Service is aimed at the families of newly appointed professors. We coordinate potential support for young researchers leading research groups with the relevant contacts.
- Bringing Ideas to Life: The Center for Entrepreneurship and Transfer advises and connects researchers on technology transfer and startup projects. The Technology Center Dortmund supports technology-oriented companies.
- Settling in Dortmund: The Welcome Services assist international researchers with organizational matters related to their stay. The Welcome Agency, with its Expat Service Center, offers orientation and networking opportunities to incoming professionals and executives. Good reasons to choose TU Dortmund University provides information on continuing education, work-life balance, sports, and health.
Funding Profile
The FONA funding program supports interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary early-career research groups in socio-ecological research focused on sustainable and resilient urban-rural regions. The goal is to train early-career researchers in socially oriented sustainability research and to prepare them to lead such research groups.
Funding Duration
Young researcher groups are typically funded for five years; the projects are intended to address a self-selected research topic while also facilitating academic development.
Eligibility
The project proposal is prepared by the intended postdoctoral group leader and submitted through the respective institution. Funding is awarded exclusively to universities or other research institutions; the formal application must be signed by an authorized representative of the institution no later than during the application process.
Deadlines and Selection Process
The next submission deadline for project outlines is October 30, 2026; another deadline is scheduled for April 29, 2028. The process consists of two stages.