Collaborative Research Centers – Information and Advice

Proposals for Collaborative Research Centers must:

be supported by eminently qualified scientists
be part of an interdisciplinary research program
describe an innovative, demanding, complex and long-term research project which makes a significant contribution to the field of research and strengthens the profile of the university

The maximum duration of a Collaborative Research Center is 12 years in up to three funding periods, each with a duration of four years.

Sub-projects and coordination projects may be applied for.

The funding volume is approximately EUR 1.8 to 2.5 million per year.

Application process and deadline:

The application process has two stages. Applicants must first submit a draft proposal with a maximum of 100 pages. After a consultation with the DFG (in Bonn), a preliminary decision will be made by the DFG Senate. A full proposal must be submitted only when requested and an on-site review will take place before a final decision is made.

Draft proposals can be submitted at any time. Note that the DFG Senate meetings take place in May and November and that draft proposals must be submitted to the DFG in advance. Applicants should therefore coordinate scheduling with the DFG Head Office.

Advice on preparing proposals:

Applicants preparing proposals for Collaborative Research Centers should consult the following offices early on:

The Research Funding section in the Central Administration to ensure that comprehensive consultation and the necessary coordination with university management can take place starting in the proposal phase.
Faculty management or the faculty research committees, if prior approval is required. At the Faculty of Science, please contact the Vice-Dean for Research Professor Klaus Harter or Ms. Meike Kammler in the Dean’s Office.
Applicants from the Faculty of Medicine are asked to contact both Research Funding at the Faculty of Medicine and the Central Administration.
Applicants must also contact the DFG program officers at an early stage.

Funding for applications:

In order to prepare a draft proposal and to prepare the full proposal, intramural start-up funding from the MWK (Ministry of Science, Research and Art Baden-Württemberg) can be applied for. Further information can be obtained from the Research Funding section.

Please also refer to the standard text modules relevant to all research funding at the university (equal opportunity, promotion of junior researchers, etc.).