The Walter Benjamin Programme enables researchers in the postdoctoral training phase to independently conduct their own research project at a location of their choice. A change of location after the doctorate is highly recommendable.
Funding for: Personnel costs for your own position or for a research fellowship abroad, grant for consumables
The Individual Research Grant enables individuals who have completed their doctorate to conduct research projects with clearly defined topics and durations, regardless of the subject. The proposal consists of several modules:
Basic module: Use the basic module to request funding for direct project costs, project-specific staff, and instrumentation necessary to carry out the project, as well as an allowance for the publication of project findings. (Not for your own position!)
In addition, you can apply for the following modules:
Scientific networks enable early career researchers to engage in scientific exchange and cooperation on topics of common interest across locations.
Funding for: Travel and maintenance costs for work meetings of network members (full group or individual members) and for thematically relevant guests, other costs (to support coordination) and publication costs.
The Emmy Noether Programme gives exceptionally qualified early career researchers the chance to qualify for the post of professor at a university by leading an independent junior research group for a period of six years. The program is open to postdocs and junior professors with temporary positions who are at an early stage in their research careers.
Funding for: the own position of the junior researcher and further postdoc/doctoral positions; consumables
If you already meet all the requirements for an appointment to a permanent professorship, you can apply for the Heisenberg Programme. 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.
Four types of funding are available within the Heisenberg Programme:
Heisenberg position
Heisenberg temporary substitute position for clinicians
Heisenberg professorship
Heisenberg fellowship
Once you have been accepted to the Heisenberg Programme, you can select between the four funding types or combine them during the five-year funding period.
Reinhart Koselleck Projects enable outstanding researchers with a proven scientific track record to pursue exceptionally innovative, higher-risk projects.
Funding for: staff, scientific instrumentation, consumables, travel, miscellaneous and publication costs for five years.
Advice for preparing applications
The scientific aspects of individual grant applications should be supported by the head of the institute or chair. The Research Funding Office is happy to give you advice on the selection of suitable DFG individual funding and to answer formal questions about the application process. We will give you feedback on your proposal and support you with the calculation. We sign the employer's declaration required for the “Temporary position of the PI” module and the Walter Benjamin Program. It is also advisable to inform the respective faculty management about the proposal.
