Funding opportunities

To put in a fellowship or research grant funding application, get in touch with the appropriate experts across the Göttingen Campus with as much notice as possible (see below).

If you are a researcher in Göttingen, make sure you are signed-up to receive the GC Postdoc Network newsletter to get regular updates about funding, prizes, and similar opportunities, as well as tips and training to make sure you put in the best application.

Several funding programmes are available for postdocs and other early career researchers  at the Göttingen Campus:

If you are part of the University, check out the Research Department, here and (for EU projects) here and Göttingen International for Education and Mobility programmes. If you are part of the wider Göttingen Campus see the GAUSS page.

 

Göttingen Campus Resources

  • GAUSS new webpage tool: find research funding opportunities in MINT (STEM): attracting research funding is one of first steps on the road to academic independence. There are lots of options for postdocs depending on your career level, length of the project or research plan. To support you in navigating through the different funding schemes, explore your options here.
  • GAUSS collection of Trainee Programmes for MINT (STEM) – check out their webpage tool
    A training program is one option to start your career in industry and can be a great opportunity. As there are many in different sectors (eg Pharma, Chemical Industry, Consulting, Precision Engineering), we collated nearly 50 and listed them on this webpage categorised by industry and all with a short profile. At all these companies, alumni of GAUSS/GGNB are employed at all these companies. Find out more here.
     

External Sources

  • A very useful external source of advice is the Federal Funding Advisory Service on Research and Innovation. They can help you identify a whole range of funding opportunities from various German government initiatives. They can also help you find local, national and EU research schemes, recommend partners, support international projects and much more.  You can contact them by phone or email.
  • You may like to sign up to FIT (Forschung Internationales Transfer) which provides current calls from a range of funders. You can subscribe to FIT and select the type of calls and how often you want to be informed.
  • Postdocs will also find this funding website useful - Research in Germany.
  • Individual grants: German Research Foundation (DFG) has published a How-To Guide about individual grants programmes - whether for individual projects or people. It also includes tips for your proposal.  

Upcoming Funding opportunities

Sorted by deadline

February

  • Humboldt international climate protection fellowshipfor prospective leaders and postdocs with climate expertise for citizens of non-European developing or transition countries who have predominantly been living and working there who completed their degree within the last 12 years and their doctorate no more than four years ago. Check website and contact Humboldt directly with queries. The funding provides 12-24 months of funding for a research project in Germany. Deadline: 1 February
  • 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: 6 February 2025 (22 May 2025, 25 September 2025)
  • (In German) Deutsche Krebshilfe Mildred-Scheel-Postdoc Program – for early career medical doctors and natural scientists (PhD within 10 years and applicants normally under 35 years) to carry out projects in clinically oriented oncological basic research or clinical cancer research within Germany for the February deadline (and at renowned institutions abroad for the deadline in November).  Funding is a stipend, monthly allowance for conferences and consumables plus one-off start-up fund, family travel allowance. Funding lasts 3 months to 2 years. Deadlines: 21 February 2025 (August, November 2024 deadlines to be announced)
  • CAIS Research for the Digital Age fellowships for those researching the social, political, media-related or cultural effects of digitalization and are interested in interdisciplinary exchange and want to spend three- or six-months sabbatical in Bochum. Space to live and work is provided as well as financed leave from current obligations. This is open to researchers in all disciplines. Deadline: 28 February
  • (Reminder) Humboldt Foundation Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) research fellowships for Postdocs with German citizenship or permanent residence in Germany (but not citizenship/permanent residence in Japan). The fellowship will provide 6-24 months funding with a stipend and other allowances including for travel and insurance. You should have completed your PhD no more than six years ago, have already published and have a very good command of English. Japanese is only necessary if it is crucial for your research topic. Applications in English only and you must have a host in Japan. Deadline: completed application documents including references to be available for their February, June or October meetings

March

  • (In German) German Thesis Award 2024: for German citizens or those who got their PhD at a German university with the oral examination taking place between 1 Jan and 31 Dec 2024. The dissertation and references can be in English but the application, abstract and (subsequent) presentation must be in German. Prizes are awarded in three categories: social sciences; natural and technical sciences; and the humanities and cultural sciences. The application includes an essay, an abstract, references, cv et. First prizes in each category are €25,000 with second and third prizes of €10,000. Deadline: 1 March 2025
  • Royal Society Newton International Fellowships for non-UK, outstanding early career researchers who wish to conduct STEM research in the UK. The Society wants to encourage applications from the widest range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to maximise innovation and creativity in science. The funding covers salary, research expenses, relocation and visa costs for fellows and their partners plus indirect costs (for the host university). The fellowship also provides training for a range of career development and engagement opportunities.  Deadline: 18 March
  • British Academy International Fellowships for non-UK, outstanding early career researchers who wish to conduct humanities (and related) research in the UK for two years. The idea is to support early career researchers to pursue high-quality and innovative lines of research. The funding covers salary, research expenses (up to £12,000), relocation costs up to £8,000. Fellows can also apply for Alumni funding to support networking activities.  Deadline: 18 March
  • Fritz and Trude Fortmann Foundation supports basic research projects on building culture and materials and the theme for their prize changes annually. This year, the call is for “monomaterials” used for building – where the skin and support structure are the same material. Outlines of ideas (in two pages) together with the application form should be submitted. Two research projects that propose new approaches to the development of monomaterial construction can be supported over two years with a contribution of up to EUR 300,000 each. Deadline: 31 March
  • 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 information before submitting any documents. Funding is for one year: Deadlines: 31 March (31 July, 30 November)

April and later

  • Volkswagen Change! Fellowships are for 4-5 years, cover your own position, are open to all disciplines and are for postdocs and junior professors who got their PhD at least two years ago. The theme is researching transformation processes for society and existing structures to overcome the multitude of crises faced today. The research must be carried out jointly with partners outside academia. Note online Q&A session at 13:00-14:00 on Wednesday 19 February (link and details are in webpage). Deadline for applications: 2 April
  • (In German) Johann-Philipp-Reis-Pries 2025 – awarded by the VDE (Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technology) in Germany worth €10,000 for an outstanding, innovative publication in the field of communications engineering. This is for engineers and scientists under the age of 40 whose work has initiated a significant innovation in communications technology that also has an impact on the national economy, or who give reason to expect such a development. Note that the information is also available in English but the English site still shows the information from 2023. Deadline: 15 April 2025
     
  • BMBF independent research groups in “Future e-Health” in principle led by highly qualified female scientists to be supported on their way to a professorship or comparable position. The funding is to advance the development of innovative approaches for biomedical health research by providing targeted funding for scientists at an early stage in their careers. Deadline for project outlines: 12 May
  • (Reminder, In German) Stockmeyer Wissenschaftspreis recognises outstanding food science research and is worth €10,000 from outstanding achievements as shown in theses or publications in the last three years. The application can come from an individual or a group and should consist of a cover letter, CV, summary of the work and the research paper. Deadline: 31 May

On-going

  • ALEXANDER von HUMBOLDT JSPS Research Fellowship up to 24 months in Japan for postdocs with permanent residence in Germany in all disciplines. Applications are generally processed four to seven months. Deadline: open 

    MSC4Ukraine (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions for Ukraine)has been launched to support postdocs and PhD candidates from Ukraine (in residence on 24 February 2022 and displaced after that date or ready to relocate). The programme will match researchers with institutes and fellowships will be offered on a rolling basis from January 2023.  Deadline: open
     
  • DFG Emmy Noether programme applications: for highly qualified early career researchers and junior professors (normally up to 4 years after PhD completion and at least 2 years of postdoc experience) on temporary contracts who want the chance to qualify for the post of professor at a university by leading an independent junior research group for six years. (The eligibility period has been extended by 3 months due to the coronavirus pandemic for those who would otherwise have to apply by 31 December 2022). Deadline: proposals can be submitted at any time.
     
  • DFG Walter Benjamin Programmeenables researchers in the postdoctoral training phase to independently conduct their own research project at a location of their choice for 2 years. The project can be carried out at a research institution in Germany or abroad, with the host institution providing support for the project. Applications can be submitted at any time. Frequently asked questions are here.  Contacts are subject-specific and can be found here. Deadline: at any time
     
  • EMBO (European Molecular Biology Organization) Postdoctoral Fellowshipssupport researchers for two years and international mobility is a key requirement. Fellowship includes a salary or stipend, laboratory leadership training, access to an EMBO global network, relocation allowance and support for those with kids. Applications accepted throughout the year.
     
  • EMBO (European Molecular Biology Organization) Scientific Exchange Grantssupport researchers for up to three months between laboratories in eligible countries – facilitating collaborations with research groups with expertise, techniques or infrastructure that is unavailable in the applicant’s laboratory. They cover travel and subsistence costs. Applications accepted throughout the year.
     
  • EMBO (European Molecular Biology Organization) Core Facility Fellowshipssupport training for core facility staff (including scientists and technicians) in specific techniques in core facilities that provide services to research institutions or universities. The fellowships contribute towards travel and subsistence costs. Applications accepted throughout the year.
     
  • Exist Business Funding for University-based Business Start-ups  by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate funding. The application comes from the University/research institute but is driven by researchers (potential entrepreneurs) who hand their business idea to the University. More info about the scheme is here. Applications must be in German. Deadline: on-going
     
  • Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship - the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation provides sponsorship for research stays worldwide (length of 6 to 24 months for postdocs), for researchers from Germany in all disciplines and all career stages. Applicants choose an academic host from some 15,000 academics in the Humboldt Network abroad. Deadline: Apply throughout the year but well in advance of committee meetings in February, June and October
     
  • Fritz Thyssen Foundation Research Stipendsto support highly qualified individual junior scholars who generally received their doctoral degree one or two years ago. It provides postdocs with an opportunity to focus on a research project for a limited period of time and the stipends can be used to enable scholars to familiarise themselves with a new field of research or to write an article for publication. Funding in the following areas: history, language and culture; interdisciplinary field “image-sound-language”; state, economy and society; medicine and the natural sciences. Deadline: applications can be submitted at any time and an answer is generally provided within 8 weeks.
     
  • Fulbright Germany: Reisestipendien für deutsche Wissenschaftler*innenfor scientists with German citizenship for teaching or research stays in the US for 3 to 12 months. Fulbright Germany encourages applications from diverse groups who are traditionally underrepresented in academia. No deadline but apply at least nine months before you intend to travel
     
  • Liebig Postdoc Fellowships are to help start the careers of prospective university teachers in the field of chemistry. Postdocs from chemistry and related fields can get funding to continue their scientific experience at another working group and university (different from their PhD which should have been completed within three years). Deadline: at any time
     
  • Leopoldina Postdoc ScholarshipPostdoctoral scientists in Germany, Austria and Switzerland who already show independence in natural science or medicine to conduct research abroad. Contact: PD Dr Andreas Clausing. Deadline: applications can be submitted at any time and are considered four times a year.
     
  • VolkswagenStiftung: support in Germany for Scientists/Scholars from Afghanistan (or who have fled Afghanistan): scientists in Germany are eligible to apply if they have received research funding from the VolkswagenStiftung in the last 10 years. Scientists can apply to bring researchers from Afghanistan (or scholars/scientists who have fled Afghanistan) to work on their research project. Potential PhD students could be funded although the initial funding period would only cover 2 years. In all cases, please discuss potential applications directly with the VolkswagenStiftung before applying. Open deadline.
     
  • Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds travel grants for postdocs, PhD researchers and medical students working on experimental projects in basic biomedical research who want to travel for courses with at least 50% practical work and laboratory visits. Deadline: open but you must apply at least six weeks and no more than six months before the planned date of departure.
     
  • Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds MD Fellowships – 18 months for medical students to pursue ambitious, experimental projects in basic biomedical research (worldwide). Applicants must study human medicine in Germany and change cities and institutions for at least ten consecutive months to work in an internationally renowned laboratory. Benefits include a monthly stipend, seminars, travel allowances, individual support, access to a network. Deadline: open but you must apply at least three months before the planned start date.

Research Grant experts across the Campus to support your application

To put in a fellowship or research grant funding application, get in touch with the appropriate experts across Göttingen Campus with as much notice as possible:

UNI Lisa Grow lisa.grow@zvw.uni-goettingen.de (0551) 39 28252 Research Dept, National and international funding (Humanities)
UNI Felix Spöler felix.spoeler@zvw.uni-goettingen.de (0551) 39 28245 Research Dept, National and international funding (Natural and Life Sciences)
UNI Ricarda Blumentritt ricarda.blumentritt@zvw.uni-goettingen.de (0551) 39 21320 Göttingen International, EU programmes (Horizon Europe MSCA and Erasmus+)
UNI Jakob Hedderich jakob.hedderich@zvw.uni-goettingen.de (0551) 39 21326 Göttingen International, DAAD
UNI Claudia Sueltmann Claudia.sueltmann@zvw.uni-goettingen.de (0551) 39 28254 EU Office
UNI Christian Schöpper Christian.schoepper@zvw.uni-goettingen.de (0551) 39 28253 EU Office
UMG Team Research Management forschung@med.uni-goettingen.de (0551) 39 61270 Research Management
MPI Kerstin Mosch kmosch@gwdg.de (0551) 3899 453 Forschung EU
MPI Ulrike Gerischer ulrike.gerischer@mpinat.mpg.de (0551) 201 1283 Forschung
DPZ Björg Pauling bpauling@dpz.eu (0551) 3851 454  
DPZ Robert Teepe rteepe@dpz.eu (0551) 3851 122  
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