To support early-career postdoctoral researchers by funding their own independent research projects.
Mobility type: supports a research position inside Germany or a personal fellowship abroad, requiring either a connection to the German academic system or a host institution in Germany.
Project Coordinator:
Who can apply?: postdoctoral researchers in a very early qualification phase after completing a doctorate (aligned with the EU “recognized researcher” R2 profile). Parental leave is factored into calculations.
- For Projects in Germany: Open to researchers of any nationality. The host institution cannot be for-profit and must permit public access to research findings.
- For Fellowships Abroad: Applicants must be integrated into the German academic research system (typically by working continuously as a researcher in Germany for at least three years prior to applying, or completing primary/higher education in Germany).
- Refugee Researchers: Special provisions allow refugee researchers in Germany to submit proposals under specific guidelines.
Funding:
- In Germany (Position Module): Funds a temporary research position matching the “postdoctoral researcher” salary scale, plus a flat monthly allowance of €250 for direct project/material costs.
- Abroad (Fellowship Module): Provides a tax-free basic monthly stipend of €1,750 plus customized foreign allowances, cost-of-living adjustments, travel grants, and child benefits, alongside a €313 monthly allowance for direct project costs.
- Additional Support: Up to €5,000 per year is available for book publication costs. Exact fellowship stipends require calculation via the official DFG portal.
Duration: 2 years
Website/Call link: https://www.dfg.de/en/research-funding/proposal-funding-process/individual-grants-programmes/contact
Contact Details:
info-researchcareers@dfg.de
procedures-researchcareers@dfg.de
chancengleichheit@dfg.de