Project Funding

The Walter Benjamin Program enables researchers to carry out a research project at a research institution of their choice in Germany or abroad. The thematic development and mobility of the researcher are important selection criteria. A change of institution during the project is generally a prerequisite.

Can be applied for in the early career phase after submission of the dissertation

 to the Walter Benjamin Program

The individual research grant enables the implementation of a research project. The quality of the project, the qualifications of the applicant, a convincing time and work plan and the scientific environment, presented in a convincing application, are essential selection criteria.

Can be applied for at any time after completion of the Doctorate

 to the Individual Research Grant

The Emmy Noether Program supports outstandingly qualified researchers who already have substantial international research experience and enables them to lead a group on their own responsibility over a period of six years.

Applicable two to four years after the Doctorate

 to the Emmy Noether Program

The Volkswagen Foundation funds research projects in a changing portfolio in thematic profile areas. The Foundation works closely with the Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony in awarding special funds from the state via the zukunft.niedersachsen program. Scientific events (theme weeks, workshops, symposia) are also funded.

Applications can be submitted after the Doctorate at fixed deadlines

 to the website of the Volkswagen Foundation

The Fritz Thyssen Foundation supports research projects in four funding areas with a focus on the humanities, social sciences and biomedicine. Travel grants (see below) can also be applied for.

Applications can be submitted after the Doctorate at fixed deadlines

 to the website of the Thyssen Foundation

With the Starting Grant, the European Research Council supports talented scientists in the qualification phase whose CVs show the potential for independent scientific work and the assumption of project responsibility or leadership responsibility.

Can be applied for two to seven years after the Doctorate at fixed deadlines

 to the ERC Starting Grant

With the Consolidator Grant, the European Research Council supports successful scientists in the qualification phase who want to consolidate their independent scientific work and leadership experience with the aim of a successful European career.

Can be applied for seven to twelve years after the Doctorate at fixed deadlines

 to the ERC Consolidator Grant

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) supports active participation in international scientific congresses and conferences abroad.
can be applied for after the Doctorate, at the latest 4 months before the first day of the congress
  to the DAAD scholarship database - Congress trips

The DAAD also funds lectures by German scientists abroad outside of congresses and conferences.
can be applied for after the Doctorate, at the latest 1 month before the start of the trip
  to the DAAD scholarship database - Lecture trips

Funding can be applied for from the Thyssen Foundation to cover travel expenses that are directly related to a research project in the humanities, social sciences or biomedicine.

Can be applied for after the Doctorate, usually 8 weeks processing time
 to the Thyssen Foundation travel grant

If the applicant has been employed at one of the member universities for at least six months prior to the application,
can apply for a scholarship for a research stay at one of the member universities for a period of two to four weeks.

Can be applied for once a year from Doctorate onwards on a fixed date
 to the Early Researcher Mobility Program

Funding is available for research stays in all disciplines at a host institute abroad of the applicant's choice.
Participation in courses, workshops or similar is not funded.

Can be applied for after the Doctorate at fixed deadlines
 to the DAAD scholarship database - research scholarship

With PRIME, the DAAD supports the international mobility of postdocs. Funding is provided for a research project abroad and re-integration into a German institution.
can be applied for after the Doctorate at a fixed deadline
  to DAAD PRIME

Funding is provided for 6 to 24-month research stays abroad. The prerequisite for sponsorship by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is collaboration with a Humboldtian from the Foundation's network.
can be applied for up to four years after the Doctorate at fixed deadlines
 to the Feodor-Lynen Research Fellowship

The European Research Framework Program supports the mobility of outstanding postdocs with the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions. Funding is provided for research stays in a European (12- to 24-month total funding) or non-European (12- to 36-month total funding, of which max. 24 months outside Europe) context.

Can be applied for up to 8 years after the Doctorate at a fixed deadline
 to the Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship