07.04.2025

Michael Franke receives DFG funding for Priority Program in linguistics

Focus on understanding and using neural language models such as ChatGPT

Professor Dr. Michael Franke (Department of Linguistics (SfS)), member of our Cluster of Excellence, has received funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG) for a Priority Program on neural language models. The project “Robust assessment and reliable application of language models: Foundations for a new field between linguistics & linguistic technology (LaSTing)” (german: „Robuste Beurteilung und sichere Anwendung von Sprachmodellen: Grundlagen für ein neues Feld zwischen Sprachwissenschaft & -technologie (LaSTing)“) will initially be funded for three years with seven million euros. The aim is to gain a better understanding on how neural language models such as ChatGPT operate and at the same time make new language technologies usable for research in linguistics. In addition to Michael Franke, Cluster member Professor Dr. Gerhard Jäger from SfS is also contributing to the project. The two researchers will work together with colleagues from Saarland University, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and the University of Potsdam. The project is scheduled to start in May 2026.

The performance of neural language models has increased enormously in recent times; the corresponding technologies have long since become part of our everyday lives. “Research in linguistics can hardly keep up with the rapid development of these new tools,” says Michael Franke. “There is a lack of established methods for the understanding and reliable application of the models.” Although there are proven theoretical concepts and established standards for empirical research, there is further need for the specific development of new language technologies. According to Franke, this problem affects various areas: from theoretical and experimental linguistics, computational linguistics, psycholinguistics and natural language processing to cognitive sciences in general. In the priority program “LaSTing”, Michael Franke aims to combine approaches from the individual disciplines and create a common basis for a new field of language research, with language modelling at its core.

With its Priority Programs, the DFG supports interdisciplinary research projects that are expected to have a shaping effect on a scientific field - by opening up new areas of research or new approaches in known areas. Priority Programs are also characterized by a cross-location collaboration between scientists.

Based on a news article from the University of Tübingen by Tina Schäfer.