A research unit is a close collaborative alliance of outstanding researchers who work together on a research project. The research project exceeds the scope of individual funding in terms of its thematic, temporal, and, in some cases, financial scope. A research unit typically has a single-digit number of individual projects in which coordinated work is carried out on the main research project.
Applications can be submitted by research units consisting of a group (approximately 4-10) of established researchers (postdocs and professors). The maximum duration of a Research Unit is up to eight years in two application phases of four years each. Research groups are assembled from a small number of subprojects and may include different modules depending on the requirements of the discipline and the intended structural aspect. Temporary positions for PIs can be applied for.
Centres for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences ("Kolleg-Forschungsgruppen") can be applied for by two to three professors of the Humanities and Social Sciences in order to work on a broad topic together with national and international scientific guests.
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 Research Support • Consultation with the President's Office
2. Submit the draft proposal to the DFG (approx. 6-9 months) (for Centres for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, the annual deadline is in March)
• Preliminary decision by the DFG's Review Boards on whether to call for full proposal
3. Full proposal (approx. 3-6 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 (March, July, September and December)
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).
