DFG’s GeroPlan (an early career academy to develop perspectives for interdisciplinary ageing research) for researchers to develop outlines for a one-year pilot project. Applicants should be working in the natural sciences, within 8 years of PhD award, not yet completed habilitation, at least one publication, who can get some release from their current work, etc. Its focus is on research projects that deal with the bio-psychosocial processes of ageing in general and, in particular, with the individual loss of plasticity and resilience, from the point of view of a broad range of disciplines with the aim of submitting grant proposals by April 2025. There are a number of phases including a one-day kick-off meeting (Sept.), a workshop (Jan 2025), mentoring and finalising the projects. It costs 100 euros to take part in the events and attendance at all events is mandatory. Deadline: 14 July

Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg’s (HWK) fellowships in Germany – for 3 to 10 months in all disciplines (as long as the research fits their remit) to reside at the HWK in Delmenhorst. Awards are given based on academic merit, quality of research project, willingness to benefit from interdisciplinary community, academic fit with HWK. Deadline: 15 July

Peter and Traudl Engelhorn Foundation for the Promotion of Life Sciences’ Postdoc grants/stipends for 2 years for Postdocs (age limit 34) to support research in Life Sciences (biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, genetics, proteomics, molecular biology, cell biology, systems biology, microbiology, biomedical engineering, biophysics, genetic engineering, bioinformatics, etc). Deadline: 15 July

INSTAND Dissertation Research Award is for scientists under the age of 35 for innovative research work and outstanding scientific results in the field of quality assurance in laboratory medicine. The research prize is awarded every two years to physicians or scientists. The award ceremony takes place in December during the INSTAND general meeting. Deadline: July 31

Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und –prüfung: Adolf Martens Fellowship Programme funds postdoc junior scientists who obtained their PhD (in an area of expertise matching BAM’s scientific direction) outside Germany within the last 3 years. BAM tests, researches and advises on protection for people, the environment and materials, and sets safety standards in technology and chemistry for Germany and its global markets. Please email for more informationbefore submitting any documents. Funding is for one year: Deadlines: 31 July, 30 November, (March 2025)

(Website in German, applications in English or German) Deutsches Wissenschaftliches Institut der Steuerberater (DWS) prize: for graduates in economics or law, this science award is for outstanding theses, dissertations in tax law, business tax or finance. The prize is 3,000 euros and the publication must meet scientific criteria. The winner must present their work at the DWS Symposium. Deadline: 31 July

(in German) Michael Schuhen Prize and interdisciplinary workshop for early career researchers in Consumer Research. The prize is awarded to the researcher who has performed outstanding scientific work in this field in 2023/2024. Achievements in all phases of the research process are explicitly included. Early career researchers are invited to submit their work for a presentation (panel or poster) The workshop is on 16 October. Deadline: 31 July

FAIR Data and Software Award Lower Saxony 2024: for the best datasets and software that comply with the FAIR principles or the FAIR4ResearchSoftware principles – from any discipline from any researcher at a university or research centre in Lower Saxony. The prizes are €3,000 each plus the opportunity to present your work at the award ceremony. Deadline: 4 August

DFG Antarctic Research with Comparative Investigations in Arctic Ice Areas: to ensure that German researchers in the natural sciences can participate in international polar research, especially in the early stages of their careers. It gives them access to Antarctica and enables them to use the necessary infrastructure provided by the partner institutions as coordinated by Rostock University. Proposals can be submitted annually for a period of up to three years. The current programme focuses on four overarching Antarctic research topics: Dynamics of Climate System Components; Response to Environmental Change; Connectivity and Exchange in Polar Systems; Improved Understanding of Polar Processes and Mechanisms. Deadline for proposals is 15 November but to be considered an applicant for this programme, you must attend the annual coordination workshop on 29 September to 1 October. Registration deadline: 10 August.

(In German) BMBF - German-South African Junior Research Group (Just Energy Transition) – a junior research group to complement a South African research chair in the field of making a “socially just transition to a carbon-neutral energy future”. The junior research group consists of a postdoc group leader in Germany as well as other scientific staff (postdocs, doctoral students or master’s students). The application must be submitted by a German institute together with a South African partner. The postdoc would be conceptualizing and writing the proposal and would be classified as the project lead. If you are at the University and are interested, please contact Dorthe Veddeler to find out more. If you are elsewhere across the Campus, please contact your local lead. Deadline (first draft): 12 August

Zi-Wissenschaftspreis „Regionalisierte Versorgungsforschung“ 2024: prize to recognise research into regional differences in healthcare provision in Germany. The work can be in any aspect of healthcare research dedicated to investigating such differences. The prize is 7,500 euros and if there are several authors, the application should be submitted by the first author and co-authors must agree to the submission. Deadline: 25 August

ThyssenLesezeit: funding to support humanities and social sciences scholars to take time to engage in thorough reading and study by providing support for six months. The award acknowledges increasing expectations on scholars to digest large amounts of information together with other work expectations. Deadline: 30 August

Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility Experience PRIME 2024/25 for postdocs of any nationality/residency status who see their long-term career to be in Germany to get funding for an independent 12-month research stay abroad. The scheme includes a six month return phase to Germany. See the DAAD FAQ here. Please contact your local DAAD/EU funding office well in advance to discuss your application and check the contacts below. Deadline: 30 August 2024

(In German) Wilhelm Klauditz Prize for Wood Research and Environmental Protection is worth €5,000 and awarded for work that contributes to the protection and preservation of the environment. Although the website is in German, the application can be in English or German and should not exceed 15 pages including any scientific articles. The completion of the project should be within the last 5 years. Deadline: 31 August

Volkswagen Stiftung – Pioneering Research – Exploring the Unknown Unknown supports groundbreaking and risky research ideas with high scientific relevance – basic research projects that strive to explore the unknown unknown with high potential for major scientific breakthroughs but also for failure. 3 to 5 years funding open to applications from postdocs or professors. Deadline for draft proposals: 3 September

MSCA (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions) Postdoc Fellowships –for postdocs in any discipline with no more than eight years full-time research experience who want to carry out research abroad, acquire new skills and develop their careers. The aim is to help researchers gain experience in other countries, disciplines and non-academic sectors. There are two types: European Postdoctoral Fellowships which last 1 or 2 years and are open to those of any nationality moving within EU or to EU from another part of the world) to pursue their research career. Global Postdoctoral Fellowships fund the mobility outside EU and last 2 to 3 years, of which the first 1 or 2 years is outside, followed by a mandatory return phase of 1 year - and nationality/residency criteria apply. Please check the nationality/residency, mobility regulations and definitions of which countries are eligible for each type. The National Contact points are your way to get guidance, practical information and assistance about the scheme. You can also get advice from KoWi here. Get in touch with the admin team who would be administering your application well in advance and contact the experts here below. Deadline: 11 September.

DFG: Interdisciplinary Projects under the Reinhart Koselleck Programme for outstanding researchers with a proven scientific track record to pursue exceptionally interdisciplinary and innovative projects. The call is open to all scientific disciplines and research topics that allow an interdisciplinary approach. The proposals should meet the criteria of the Reinhart Koselleck programme and show a high degree of innovation and risk. Applications from individual and two applicants are eligible. Deadline: 15 October

(In German)  Deutsche Thermoelektrik-Gesellschaft Young Talent Award for the best submitted thesis in the field of thermoelectrics, which should not be significantly older than one year. Dissertations, diploma and master's theses as well as outstanding bachelor's theses that cover at least one subfield of thermoelectrics can be submitted, including theory, material development, measurement technology, material and module technology, system engineering and/or applications of thermoelectrics. Scientific and technological originality and inventiveness, which lead to new solutions or applications, are essential criteria and the prize is worth €1,000. Theses can be in English or German but the short summary must be in German. Deadline: 15 September

Martin Buber Society Fellowship (Humanities and Social Sciences): gives funding to postdocs who are within 5 years of completing their PhD and are German or Israeli, or completed their PhD at a German or Israeli University. Research can be in any field of the Humanities and Social sciences, excluding purely technical work in the fields of applied economics or practical law. Fellows are awarded 9000 NIS as a monthly stipend and expected to be in residence 4 days per week, encouraged to move to Jerusalem to pursue their research and become part of the academic community at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Research does not have to be related to Israel, Germany or Israel-German relations. Deadline: 18 September

Daimler and Benz Foundation Postdoctoral Scholarships to reinforce the independence and creativity of the next generation of researchers in any discipline – in particular humanities, social sciences and cultural studies are underrepresented. The funding provides €40,000 for two years and can be used for various purposes, such as research assistants, technical equipment, trips or conferences, as well as opportunities to be part of a network of scholars which helps promote exchange of ideas. Deadline: 1 October

ERC Starter grants:for talented early career researchers who have already produced excellent work with a supervisor and are now ready to work independently with the potential to be a research leader. Note online information event organized by the University EU Office:  ERC Starting Grant Call 2025: at 10:00-12:30 on Thursday 25 April, register by 23 April.At this event, you will find out all you need to know about ERC Starting Grants from the EU Office of the University, as well as experiences and tips from an ERC award-holder. Then the University Transfer & Startup Hub will present their services and show how transfer can contribute, in particular in basic research project proposals. Followed by Q&A session. Always talk to your local funding office first (see contacts below). Deadline: October TBC

(In German) Max-Eder Junior Research Group by the Deutsche Krebshilfe to support highly qualified early career researchers (normally under 35 years) specializing in oncology to establish an independent research group and further develop their scientific career by changing location. The funds last 4 years (+ 3 years extension possible) and cover salaries, consumables, facilities, travel. Deadline: 22 October (February, June 2025 deadlines to be announced)