Research Training Groups enable university faculty to collaborate and establish a network for providing doctoral support in order to investigate a interdisciplinary topic. The international Research Training Group variant allows for integrated support for young researchers in collaboration with a university abroad.
Research Training Groups can be applied for by five to ten qualified researchers. Junior Researchers (postdocs, junior professors) should be involved. Applicants should develop a thematically focused, ideally interdisciplinary research program of high scientific quality and a qualification scheme with innovative teaching and mentoring elements. The maximum duration of a Research Training Group is nine years, divided into two application phases of 5 and 4 years. Funding is usually applied for regarding positions for doctoral and postdoctoral positions, workshops, guest researchers, and to support diversity.
The application process has multiple stages: 1. Preparation of the draft proposal: (approx. 6-12 months) • Contact the Research Support in the Central Administration as early as possible (see Guidance and Support) • Submit the proposal idea to the respective Faculty Management or the Faculty's Internal Research Committees • Optional application for start-up funding (€ 30.000) • Prepare the draft proposal in cooperation with the Research Support • Consultation with the President's Office
2. Submit the draft proposal to the DFG (approx. 6 months)
• Preliminary decision by the DFG Senate on whether to call for full proposal (May and November)
3. Full proposal (approx. 3 months)
• Preparation of the full proposal in consultation with the Research Support • Optional application for second tranche of start-up funding (€ 30.000) • Consultation with the President's Office
4. Review (approx. 3 months) 5. Approval decision by the DFG Senate (May and November)
Please also refer to Texts and background knowledge for grant proposals regarding central topics of the university (Equality/Diversity, Research Data Management, Early Career support etc).
