Exploration Funds

The call for proposals for the Exploration Funds 2025 is open to all topics. An orientation towards current social challenges - e.g. under the keyword upheavals - is welcome, but not a requirement for an application.

• Innovative research project with the potential to be expanded into a third-party-fundedcollaborative project (CRC, Research Unit etc.).
• Own previous work has already been done
• Interdisciplinary research approach, at least within the Humanities and Social Sciences
• Proven expertise on the proposed topic must be located in Tübingen
• An institutional connection is expected

• Start-up funding for a project up to a maximum duration of 3 years, in the form of:
  • Personnel resources (1 postdoc position E13, 100%, teaching obligation 4 weekly hours per semester)
  • Consumables (e.g. student assistants, workshops, retreats, seminar series etc.)
• The actual amount of funding depends on the needs as presented and justified in the proposal
• Doctoral positions cannot be funded within the framework of the Exploration Funds

Requirements and Structure

Please use the provided template for the application. The preferred language is English. The application must contain the following information:

• Cover sheet showing the following information: Details of the applicant, co-applicants, periodapplied for (earliest start approx. July 2025), total amount applied for, information on whether theapplication has been submitted earlier in the same or a similar form, and an abstract (max. 100 words)
• Description of the project (field of research and research questions as well as theoretical andmethodological approach), if applicable divided into sub-projects or work packages (max. 8 pages)
• Bibliography (literature cited in the application)
• Schematic description of the project process
• Detailed financial plan in tabular form with justification of the requested funds
• List of associated scientists
• Short CVs of the (co-)applicants with a list of publications. At least 5 publications relevant to theproject should be highlighted.

The standard formatting (Arial, 11 pt., line spacing 1.15) must be adhered to, margins must not be changed.
 

The proposal should answer the following questions
(also decision criteria)

1. What is the added value of the project and a possible follow-up project for the Humanities and Social Sciences profile of the University of Tübingen?
2. What is the relevance and topicality of the project for society?
3. In which way does the project relate to current scientific debates?
4. Explain the applicant’s suitability to successfully implement the project (e.g. through preliminary work, publications, etc.) and to develop it into a (larger) third-party funded project application (e.g. consortium project)?
5. Networking potential: which structures are already in place, which are planned (within the University, nationally, internationally)?
6. How should the medium- and long-term perspective of the project be secured? Which applications for (third-party) funding are specifically planned? Justify the potential of your project for third-party funding.

Application

Applications must be submitted via the University’s Online Application Tool.

The application must be submitted in one PDF-Document. The preferred language of applications is English. Incomplete applications cannot be approved for review.

Review process

First, the project proposals are checked for completeness and formal criteria by the Excellence Strategy team. All applications that meet the formal requirements will be reviewed by external experts/ peer researchers. Based on the reviews, the Advisory Board for the Humanities provides a funding recommendation; the final funding decision is made by the Rectorate.

Application deadline 

January 31, 2025

Project start

approx. July 2025