German Research Foundation (DFG):
Research Funding Programmes and International Collaboration
Jülich, 27 June 2018
1 | The German Research System 2 | Introduction to the DFG
3 | International Scientific Cooperation 4 | Information Systems
Contents
Research institutions of the Federal Republic of
Germany
Research institutions of the German Länder
Introduction to the DFG
The DFG is funded by
German federal government (68,3%)
German states (31.6%)
Private sources (0.1%)*
The DFG budget in 2016 totalled approx. € 3.07 billion.
www.dfg.de/en/dfg_figures/statistics/finances/
*Figures refer to revenues in 2016
Germany’s largest funding organisation of basic research
Introduction to the DFG
association under private law with 96 members
German universities (69)
non-university research institutions (16)
German academies of sciences and humanities (7)
scientific associations (4)
www.dfg.de/en/dfg_profile/statutory_bodies/general_assembly
Germany’s central, self-governing research funding organisation
Introduction to the DFG
serves all branches of science and the humanities by funding research projects and facilitating national and international cooperation among researchers
supports the advancement of early career researchers
promotes gender equality in the German research system
fosters relations between academic research and the private sector and between researchers and the public
advises parliaments and public authorities on scientific and academic matters
www.dfg.de/en/dfg_profile/mission
Mandates
International Scientific Cooperation DFG’s funding opportunities
International modules such as additional travel expenses, personnel exchanges etc. may be applied for in in all DFG funding programmes
Individual Grants Programmes Example: Research Grant
Coordinated Programmes
Example: International Research Training Group Collaborative Research Centre/Transregio
Scientific events and contacts
Example: Initiation of International Cooperation
www.dfg.de/en/research_funding/programmes
Purpose:
to enable initial contacts and to enhance cooperation with international partners
Support:
funding for incoming and outgoing research visits (up to 3 months)
funding for costs related to workshops
cost categories may be co-financed by a foreign partner organisation if an appropriate agreement exists
Duration:
all activities must take place within 12 monthsPlease note:
proposal has to be submitted by the German partner (no deadline) www.dfg.de/en/international_collaboration/
Scientific Contacts
Initiation of International Cooperation
Purpose:
to enable researchers to carry out a project on a defined topic within a set time period (usually several years)
Eligibility:
qualified researchers from all disciplines at German research institutions
Support:
funding of the German side of an international cooperation by the DFG and complementary funding of the international part of the project
by the partner organisation, another funding organisation, the relevant university or non- university research institution, or another source
http://www.dfg.de/formulare/54_013/54_013_en.pdf
Individual Grants Programmes
Research Grant
Funding may include various modules such as staff, consumables, equipment, publication and travel costs
special conditions apply for researchers at non-university institutions
Duration:
up to 6 years (2 x 3 years)
Please note:
Two modules are esp. relevant for researchers abroad: Mercator Fellow (long-term research visits within a project) and Temporary Position for Principal Investigators (funding for a position as project leader for the duration of the project)
www.dfg.de/en/research_grants/
Individual Grants Programmes
Research Grant (cont.)
Individual Grants Programmes
Eligibility
: qualified researchers from all disciplines at German research institutionsSupport
: German partner: various modules (guidelines 50.01): http://www.dfg.de/formulare/50_01/50_01_en.pdf
Israeli and Palestinian partner: financial resources for staff, i.e. 24,000 EUR for Postdocs, 16,000 EUR for PhD students, 10,000 EUR for Master students (annually), travel, scientific equipment (up to 10,000 EUR), consumables
Funding duration
: first proposal up to three years, renewal proposal up to three yearsSubmission
: no deadline http://www.dfg.de/en/research_funding/programmes/international_cooperation/middle_east_collabora tion/index.html
Trilateral Projects
Purpose:
To provide structured doctoral training in a research programme of high scientific quality and originality in an international environment
Eligibility requirements:
5 -10 faculty members are needed per side (German university/university abroad)
internationally competitive projects with an interdisciplinary research focus and qualification programme
Target group once the IRTG is established:
doctoral researchers, postdocs, BSc holders
Coordinated Programmes
International Research Training Group (IRTG)
Support:
funding for doctoral researchers, postdocs, visiting researchers, research students, travel, workshops, small equipment, consumables, coordination etc.
Duration:
4.5 years per funding period, maximum of nine years
3-year terms for doctoral positions, including 6-month stays at partner institutions
Eligibility:
research universities together with their international partner universities
41 IRTGs
Coordinated Programmes
International Research Training Group (IRTG) (cont.)
Eligibility:
research universities together with their international partner universities
Special feature:
complementary funding from the international partner university/organisation is mandatory
www.dfg.de/gk/en
Coordinated Programmes
International Research Training Group (IRTG) (cont.)
Purpose:
to establish profile-building centres of excellence at universities
pursuing an outstanding research programme
Eligibility requirements:
proposals are submitted by universities
internationally competitive collaborations
involving research projects of high scientific quality
Target group once the CRC is established:
doctoral researchers, postdocs and senior scientists
Coordinated Programmes
Collaborative Research Centre (CRC), Transregio
Support:
funding for travel, colloquia, Mercator fellowships, for the development of project-like collaborative structures with comparable centres abroad
researchers can also lead projects within the CRC abroad; funding is usually provided by an international partner organisation
Duration:
max. 12 years (three 4-year funding periods)
3-year terms for doctoral positions
www.dfg.de/sfb/en
Coordinated Programmes
Collaborative Research Centre (CRC), Transregio (cont.)
Information Systems The DFG Funding Atlas
published since 1997 every three years (7th edition: September 2015) (formerly:
funding-ranking)
presents a broad set of indicators on the thematic profiles of HEI and Non-University Research Institutions
servicefor the member institutions of the DFG;
contributionto the discussion of the research profiles of research institutions
funding volumes are used as performance indicatorssince the awards are distributed in a competitive process
monitoring: Ranking-series now shows up 20 years of development within the German
science system (1991-2010)
Information Systems
comprehensive overview of DFG- funded projects
lists more than 80.000 DFG-
funded research projects, 20.000 involved research institutions and 50.000 scientists
a broad range of search functions ensures efficient access to the required information
http://gepris.dfg.de
GEPRIS – German Project Information System
Information systems
Online directory of the German science landscape provided by the DFG and the
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in cooperation with the German Rectors'
Conference (HRK)
Contains information on more than 25.000 institutes at universities and non-university research institutions
Searchable by geographical location, subject and other structural criteria
Provides information on doctoral programmes
www.research-explorer.de
Research Explorer
Research in Germany –
Career Opportunities and Funding Programmes
Thank you for your attention!
Ute.Stotz@dfg.de
Further information:
► DFG: http://www.dfg.de
► German research institutions: http://www.dfg.de/foerderatlas
► Projects funded by the DFG: http://www.dfg.de/gepris
► Positions in DFG funded projects:
http://www.dfg.de/en/service/career_opportunities/
► German research landscape: http://www.research-explorer.de
► Research in Germany: http://www.research-in-germany.org/en
