Research units
In a research unit, several scientists work on projects that jointly address an overarching issue. The close collaboration strengthens cooperation and enables the processing of complex and innovative topics that go far beyond individual funding. The format requires good networking between the participants in advance as well as long-term and strategic planning.
Funding profile: DFG Research Units are close working alliances of several outstanding researchers who work together on a clearly defined research task, the scope of which significantly exceeds the possibilities of individual funding. As a rule, they are designed to run for around eight years, serve to establish new fields of work and offer structured development and cooperation opportunities, including the involvement of non-university partners and international cooperation, especially to researchers in the early stages of their careers.
Scope of funding: Funding is typically provided for several coordinated sub-projects (usually a single-digit number), including personnel and material resources, with flexible arrangements depending on the research question, subject area and intended structure-building effect. The total funding period is usually up to 8 years in two funding periods of 4 years each.
Eligibility and deadlines: Scientists from all disciplines at German research institutions with a completed doctorate are eligible to apply. Pre-proposals can be submitted on an ongoing basis; early coordination of the timetable with the DFG Head Office is recommended.
Special features: In the case of DFG collaborative projects, the Grants Office provides support throughout the entire proposal submission process. Please contact us at an early stage, already in the planning phase. We will arrange a coordination meeting at the Rectorate a few weeks before submission.
Application and selection procedure: Two-stage application procedure: The designated spokesperson first submits an outline proposal, which is reviewed by at least two external experts and then discussed by the relevant review board; based on the review board recommendation, the DFG Senate decides whether an institutional proposal should be prepared. Institutional and continuation proposals are then discussed in a review group with external reviewers, review board members and a member of the Senate; the DFG's Joint Committee, which meets four times a year for this purpose, decides on (further) funding on the basis of this review.
Funding profile: Centres for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences enable the collaboration of particularly distinguished academics to further develop a research topic in the humanities or social sciences at one location; they are always based at a university. The topic should be broad enough to combine existing local strengths, integrate individual research projects and develop a high level of international visibility and impact through an open or novel research question.
Scope of funding: Funding is provided for a small group of usually two to three responsible researchers, who are associated with a structured fellowship program for national and international guests (stays of up to two years) in intensive in-house research. The funding period is up to eight years; funding can be applied for - via various DFG modules - in particular for time off for the leaders, fellows, personnel, material resources, events as well as joint funding and measures to promote equal opportunities and young researchers.
Eligibility and deadlines: Applications may be submitted by academics in the humanities and social sciences at German universities who are particularly qualified and would like to lead a Kolleg Research Group. The calls for proposals are generally defined in the DFG Information for Researchers (Info für die Wissenschaft) with specific submission deadlines for pre-proposals; pre-proposals are accepted up to a specified deadline on the basis of a mandatory consultation with the DFG Head Office.
Special features: In the case of DFG collaborative projects, the Grants Office provides support throughout the entire proposal submission process. Please contact us as early as the planning phase. We will arrange a coordination meeting at the Rectorate a few weeks before submission.
Application and selection procedure: Applications are open to academics in the humanities and social sciences at German universities who are particularly qualified and would like to lead a Kolleg research group. The calls for proposals are defined with specific submission deadlines for draft proposals; on the basis of a mandatory consultation with the DFG Head Office, draft proposals are accepted up to a specified deadline. The draft proposals are discussed by a review group with the participation of review board members. Based on the opinion of this review group, the DFG Senate decides whether an institutional proposal should be submitted in a second step
.