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

April

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
Scotland research and innovation scheme: development track provides initial funding to develop and anchor collaborative relationships in the academic ecosystem and science communities of Lower Saxony and Scotland through workshops, events, networking etc. Funders include: Royal Society of Edinburgh, Volkswagen Foundation and Lower Saxony’s Ministry of Science and Culture. Note information sessions on Thursday 6 March and Tuesday 18 March (please register by email). Deadline: 9 April
(Website and application form in German but papers can be in German or English) Wissenschaftlicher Nachwuchspreis “Statistical Science for the Society“ – Note supervisor must submit your paper. The award is for a researcher that submitted their dissertation within the last 24 months by the deadline. The prize rewards outstanding work in the fields of theoretical statistics, economic and social sciences or from another discipline related to official statistics. The prize is €5,000. Deadline: 15 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
(In German) Guidance, Skills & Opportunities for Researchers (GSO) Leadership Academy funding for German-speaking, early-stage and mid-career researchers of all disciplines and citizenships conducting research abroad from Germany and for those, who returned to Germany withing the last 18 months, to find the answers in an interdisciplinary, transnational group. LSA Fellows receive a scholarship (worth approx. €10,000), which enables them to participate in a two-part, face-to-face program in Berlin and Heidelberg, including travel and accommodation costs as well as networking, individual coaching and other benefits. Deadline: 22 April
Joachim Herz Stiftung: New perspectives for biogenic resources for interdisciplinary groups of at least three researchers working together to find solutions to issues such as climate change or resource scarcity in a northern Germany university or research institute. They are particularly looking for projects that can no longer be classified as basic research but are not yet “marketable”. The funding is worth €1,000,000 per project for up to five years, which must take an interdisciplinary approach to research ways out of dependence on fossil raw materials. Funding can cover personnel, materials, rental of infrastructure and travel but not an overhead. Deadline: 30 April
(In German) Rudolf Kaiser Prize in experimental Physics to improve opportunities for ECRs in the German system who are about to establish themselves in academia. You must have outstanding scientific achievements – as shown by publications, one of which should be particularly remarkable - but not yet hold a professorship. You an be nominated by a university professor or apply yourself. The prize is worth €30,000. Deadline: 30 April
Fast Forward Science competition – for short (up to 3 mins) video and audio content from early career researchers (students or up to 6 years after PhD) for science communication about a theme that is currently being researched in German or English with German subtitles. There are several prizes and awards worth €2,000 and €1,000 euros each. Deadline: 30 April

May and later

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
Joachim Herz Add-On fellowship for early career researchers in Germany in business, economics, life sciences or materials science to work on an interdisciplinary research topic with transfer potential, which is of social relevance in the field of “Resources of the Future”. This is flexible funding of up to €15,000 over two years and can cover costs such as travel, research stays, conferences, training, special equipment, data collection, and more. Deadline: 16 May
TWAS-DFG Cooperation visits from sub-Saharan Africa for researchers with a PhD to carry out a research visit in Germany from sub-Saharan Africa for three months. Deadline: 19 May
(In German and for German-speaking researchers) Postdoc Network “Das Junge ZiF”,Zentrum für interdisziplinäre Forschung at Bielefield University, to support outstanding early career researchers in any discipline who wish to further develop interdisciplinary work and establish valuable contacts. Fellows will receive Four-year membership in the network, an opportunity to network with other fellows and additional guests at three on-site meetings per year, implementation of a funded interdisciplinary workshop upon separate application, individual research stay at the ZiF for up to four weeks or shorter periods with a guest researcher (travel and accommodation costs will be covered). Deadline: 22 May
(Regular call, 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. Deadlines: 22 May (25 September, Feb 2026 to be confirmed)
(Regular call, 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. Note new deadlines: 22 May (25 September, Feb 2026 to be confirmed)
(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
Scotland research and innovation scheme: excellence track provides funding to further develop and enhance research projects between Lower Saxony and Scotland embedded in an existing collaboration with the objective to apply for prestigious third-party funding, particularly Horizon Europe. Funders include: Royal Society of Edinburgh, Volkswagen Foundation and Lower Saxony’s Ministry of Science and Culture. Note information sessions on Thursday 6 March and Tuesday 18 March (please register by email.). Deadline: 30 June
(Regular call) 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 June, October or February meetings
(Regular call) Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC) Bilateral Workshops: IGSTC invites proposals for organising Indo-German workshops on areas of mutual interest with an aim towards creating platforms for substantive interactions between scientists / researchers from academia and industry. The workshops have to take place in India or in Germany and to be designed around a specific research topic out of thematic areas relevant to both DST and BMBF, which includes the thematic areas of 2+2 project calls. Any other relevant topics of very high importance may also be considered. Deadlines: 31 July, 31 January

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