Uni-Tübingen

Research Funding Snacks

Are you looking for funding opportunities for Postdocs but you do not have the time or inclination to read a lot of guidelines and fact sheets? Once a month, the Research Funding Snacks offer a short insight into different funding opportunities and the team of the Research Support answers your questions.

What? The Research Department team provides information about various funding opportunities for Postdocs (in English).

When? The first Thursday of the month, 12:00-12:30 p.m. (changes due to holidays are possible, see dates given below)

Where? Virtually via Zoom, without registration (Zoom link appears below after login with your ZDV ID).

How? 15 minutes input + 15 minutes Q & A

You can see the slides of sessions on the bottom of the page after login with your ZDV ID.

Programme Research Funding Snacks

November 6, 2025: Internal Funding Programmes of the Excellence Strategy

We will inform you about the intramural funding opportunities available within the framework of the Excellence Strategy of the University of Tübingen. We offer formats to promote junior researchers (workshops, summer schools, project funding) as well as to enhance a career in economy as an alternative to the academic field (Innovation Grants).

Target Group: Postdocs, Junior professors, Advanced PhDs

Nora von Ameln, Dörte Ißleib, Program Manager Excellence Strategy

November 20: From Idea to Funding: How the Startup Center Tübingen Supports Your Innovation

Whether you are looking for feedback on your startup idea from your studies or research, want to apply for startup funding, or need support in developing a viable business model – the Startup Center Tübingen is here to help. We offer guidance on suitable funding opportunities, and assist you throughout the application process. In addition, our workshops and services help you evaluate your business model, strengthen your funding potential, and advance your startup project successfully. Want to find out more about our support and services? Then join the Research Snack Session on November 20th. 

December 4, 2025: Going abroad, coming to Germany: Funding programmes by the DAAD, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and others

This talk covers some of the most common funding programmes (DAAD, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, internal funding programmes) for realizing research stays abroad or for coming to Germany.

Target group: Postdocs, Junior Professors

Dr. Elmar Hofman, Dr. Cornelia Köhler, Philip Scherer and Tetyana Tonkoshkur, International Research Cooperation

January 15, 2026: Research Data Management

Research always produces data! You cannot write a successful proposal without a Research Data Management plan. We will give you a first overview on Research Data Management and the supporting structures at the University of Tübingen and beyond.

Target group: Professors, Junior Professors, Postdocs

Jennifer Esslinger, Research Data Management Support

February 5, 2026: Funding for Junior Researchers and Eliteprogramm for Postdocs

Two funding options for Postdocs: The Program for the Promotion of Junior Researchers and the Eliteprogramm of the Baden-Württemberg Foundation. We will explain the main characteristics of the funding schemes and the application procedures.

Target Group: Postdocs, Junior professors

Marion Jäger, Nathalie Walker, Research Support Department

March 5, 2026: The European Research Council: Funding Schemes and Success Factors

ERC grants are among the most attractive and prestigious funding opportunities at European level. Completely bottom-up and excellence as sole criterion, competition is especially high. In this talk we will give you an overview of the most important features and success factors.

Target Group: Postdocs, Professors, Junior Professors

Elisabeth Baier, EU Office

April 9, 2026: How to Apply for a DFG Individual Research Grant

The DFG Individual Research Grant (in German: Sachbeihilfe) is the most popular project funding from early postdoc researchers to professors. In its flexible funding modules, you can also raise funding for your own position (Eigene Stelle). We will present the particularities of the funding scheme and inform you about some do's and don'ts in writing the proposal.

Target Group: Professors, Junior Professors, Postdocs

Sonja Großmann, Marion Jäger and Nathalie Walker, Research Support

May 7, 2026: Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions

MSCA Individual Fellowships offer Postdocs the opportunity to spend 1 to 2 years abroad. We will inform you about the characteristics of the funding scheme and answer your questions on European and Global Fellowships.

Target Group: Postdocs, Advanced PhDs

Christian Vöhringer, EU Office

June 11, 2026: How to write a research proposal

We will provide a short introduction to writing a research proposal. This talk will cover the most common topics that come up when devising a proposal (research idea, identifying the right programme, creating the financial plan). It is especially helpful for researchers who are new to writing proposals.

Target group: Postdocs of the University of Tübingen

Sonja Großmann, Marion Jäger and Nathalie Walker, Research Support

July 2, 2026: Offers of the Graduate Academy

The Graduate Academy offers a targeted program for postdoctoral researchers – the Researcher Development Program (RDP). Within the RDP we offer a range of transdisciplinary workshops focusing on topics such as leadership and career development that are free of charge for Postdocs at the University of Tübingen and the Tübingen Research Campus. Additionally, individual coaching and counselling opportunities are offered as well as 3 different certificate programs. We will introduce the program of the Graduate Academy as well as how to sign up and take part in the offers.

Target group: Postdocs

Marisa Köllner, Graduate Academy