Third-party funding opportunities for postdoctoral researchers

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Research grants and fellowships

Whether it's funding for a junior research group or calls for habilitation programmes and junior professorships on this page, you will find funding and financing opportunities for your further academic qualification or for setting up your own research group with staff and material resources. The listed programmes offer the opportunity to conduct independent research at an early stage and to develop your own academic profile.

Contents of this page:

Our colleagues from the Science Support Centre (SSC) will gladly advise you on individual issues.

Research projects in Germany:

 

Interdisciplinary offers:

Institution/Funding Line Short description Further information (Link)
Capes-Humboldt-Forschungsstipendium

For above-average qualified postdoctoral researchers from all disciplines from Brazil to carry out a self-chosen, long-term research project in cooperation with a self-chosen scientific host at a research institution in Germany.

  • Target group: Postdocs from Brazil up to 4 years after completing their doctorate
  • Scope of support: 2650 €/month incl. mobility lump-sum and allowance for health and liability insurance
  • Funding period: 6-24 months
https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/web/capes-humboldt-stipendium.html
Daimler und Benz Stiftung

Scholarships from the Daimler and Benz Foundation are intended to strengthen the autonomy and creativity of postdoctoral researchers. The programme is open to applicants from all disciplines, but the prerequisite is a connection to a German university or scientific institution and the implementation of a research project of one's own.

  • Target group: postdoctoral researchers up to two years after completing their doctorate
  • Funding: 20,000 €/year for financing scientific assistants, technical equipment, research trips or participation in conferences.
  • Funding period: max. 2 years
  • Application period: 1st June to 1st October each year
https://www.daimler-benz-stiftung.de/cms/en/promote/scholarship-program/postdoctoral-program-2022.html
DFG-Sachbeihilfe, Modul „Eigene Stelle“

Early career researchers from all disciplines can apply for funding for their own position to carry out a research project of their choice in Germany under the DFG "Sachbeihilfe" program. At the time of application, you need a declaration from the host institution (signed by our personnel administration!) as an attachment to the application. If necessary, please note the instructions for the first application. Consultation is possible at the SSC.

  • Scope of funding: own position (100% postdoc position), additional material, travel and personnel costs can be applied for, see modules in programme description
  • Funding period: up to 36 months; basic possibility to apply for extension
http://www.dfg.de/foerderung/programme/einzelfoerderung/sachbeihilfe/index.html
ERC Starting Grant

ERC Starting Grants support promising postdoctoral researchers who are at the beginning of an independent research career in setting up their own research group.

  • Target group: Excellent postdoctoral researchers (2 to 7 years after their doctorate)
  • Scope of funding: up to a total of € 1.5 million euros
  • Funding period: max. 5 years
https://www.eubuero.de/erc-stg_en.htm
Freigeist-Fellowship der VolkswagenStiftung

The Freigeist-Fellowship is aimed at researchers from all disciplines with up to four years of research experience after completing their doctorate. The aim of the program is to enable exceptional research personalities to carry out a research project with maximum freedom. Since 2014, ten to fifteen Freigeist-Fellows have been selected annually.

  • Target group: Postdocs up to four years after completing their doctorate
  • Scope of funding: up to a total of € 2.2 million depending on equipment, concept and specialist area
  • Funding period: max. 8 years in two funding phases (5 + 3 years or 6 + 2 years)
https://www.volkswagenstiftung.de/unsere-foerderung/unser-foerderangebot-im-ueberblick/freigeist-fellowships
Fritz Thyssen Stiftung

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for postdocs with a temporary research project

  • Target group: postdoctoral researchers up to 2 years after completing their doctorate
  • Departments: History, language and culture, interdisciplinary fields of image and imagery; state, economy and society; international relations; medicine and natural sciences
  • Scope of funding: age-independent basic amount (1,700 €/month), foreign supplement, lump sum material allowance and, if applicable, other family-related benefits
  • Funding period: 12 months
http://www.heinrich-hertz-stiftung.de/de/
Georg Forster-Forschungsstipendium

For above-average qualified postdoctoral researchers of all disciplines from a developing country to carry out a self-chosen, long-term research project in cooperation with a self-chosen scientific host at a research institution in Germany.

  • Target group: Postdocs from a developing country up to 4 years after their doctorate.
  • Destination: Germany
  • Scope of support: 2650 €/month incl. mobility lump-sum and allowance for health and liability insurance
  • Funding period: 6-24 months
https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/web/capes-humboldt-stipendium.html
Heinrich Hertz-Stiftung

Foreign postdoctoral researchers can receive funding for a research stay in North Rhine-Westphalia.

  • Target group: Postdocs up to 2 years after their doctorate
  • Destination: North Rhine-Westphalia
  • Scope of funding: Basic scholarship amount (1500 €) + family benefits if applicable
  • Duration: 2-12 (+12) months
http://www.heinrich-hertz-stiftung.de/de/
Helmholtz-Postdoc-Programm der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft

Individual funding for talented postdoctoral researchers to effectively expand scientific excellence and establish themselves in a research field. Funding is provided by financing a research topic of their own and, among other things, by further education courses offered by the Helmholtz Academies and mentoring courses.

  • Target group: postdoctoral researchers up to 2 years after completing their doctorate
  • Grant: 100.000 € for own position, technical assistance, stay abroad and travel expenses,
  • Funding period: max. 3 years
https://www.helmholtz.de/karriere_talente/wissenschaft/postdocs/
Humboldt-Forschungsstipendium

For above-average qualified researchers of all disciplines from abroad to carry out a self-chosen, long-term research project in cooperation with a self-chosen scientific host at a research institution in Germany.

  • Target group: Postdoctoral researchers from abroad up to 4 years after completing their doctorate.
  • Scope of support: 2650 €/month incl. mobility lump-sum and allowance for health and liability insurance
  • Funding period: 6-24 months
https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/web/humboldt-stipendium-erfahren.html
Marie Skłodowska-Curie European Fellowships

Experienced researchers of any nationality can enhance their qualifications and diversify their competences by conducting a research project at a host institution (universities, research institutions, companies or international organisations) in Germany (or another EU member state or Horizon 2020 associated country).

  • Scope of funding: 4,880 €/month + mobility allowance
  • Funding period: 12-24 months
https://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/actions/individual-fellowships_en
Minerva Stipends of the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft

German and Israeli postdocs will be supported.

  • Target group: postdocs up to 7 years after completing their doctorate
  • Scope of funding: Basic scholarship amount, lump sum for material resources, + if applicable, family-related benefits
  • Funding period: 6-24 months
https://www.mpg.de/217662/Minerva-Programme
Nordrhein-Westfälische Akademie der Wissenschaften: Junges Kolleg

The "Junges Kolleg" is the training ground of the Nordrhein-Westfälische Akademie der Wissenschaften (North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences). It supports 35 of the best early career researchers: financially, professionally and ideally. For their research and stays abroad, the fellows each receive 10,000 euros per year for four years.

  • Research field: not limited
  • Funding: 10.000 €/year
  • Funding period: 4 years
http://www.awk.nrw.de/akademie/junges-kolleg.html

 

Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine:

Institution/Funding Line Short description Further information (Link)
Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard-Stiftung

Scholarship for female postdocs doing research in experimental natural sciences and basic medical research with children. The funding is intended to relieve the burden on the household and childcare.

  • Target group: female postdoctoral researchers with children, maximum age 32 years
  • Scope of funding: 400 €/month
  • Funding period: 12 months
https://www.mystipendium.de/stipendien/christiane-nuesslein-volhard-stiftung
Deutsche José Carreras Leukämie-Stiftung e.V.

Fellowships for research in the field of treatment and control of leukaemia and related blood diseases to be carried out at a German institution

  • Target group: postdoctoral researchers in medicine, biology, chemistry and psycho(onco)logy < 35 years of age
  • Grant: 41,400 €/year plus 1,250 EUR €/year for travel expenses
  • Funding period: 1 (+1+1) years
https://engelhorn-stiftung.de/index.php/stipendium.php
Dr. Isolde Dietrich-Stiftung

To support female scientists in the physics of condensed matter, the Foundation awards a postdoctoral fellowship to female physicists for research work of a fundamental nature.

  • Target group: female postdoctoral researchers
  • Department: Physics
  • Scope of funding: ~8000 €
https://www.deutsches-stiftungszentrum.de/stiftungen/dr-isolde-dietrich-stiftung
Fond der chemischen Industrie

Habilitation candidates and junior professors in chemistry and chemistry-related disciplines can apply for a material cost grant of up to 10,000 euros. This grant is intended to provide start-up support for the establishment of an independent research area. The money can be used by top early career researchers to procure special chemicals, equipment or specialist literature, for example.

  • Target group: Habilitation candidates and Junior professors
  • Research field: Chemistry and related disciplines
  • Scope of funding: 10,000 euros
  • Funding period: one-time
https://www.vci.de/fonds/stipendien/uebersichtsseite.jsp
Johannes Hübner Stiftung

The Johannes Hübner Foundation primarily supports research and development projects at German universities in the form of human and material resources, in particular for scientific staff and technical equipment. The research and development projects can be assigned both to basic research and to applied research in scientific and technical fields.

  • Target group: researchers/research projects in the natural and engineering sciences
https://www.johannes-huebner-stiftung.de/
Peter und Traudl Engelhorn-Stiftung zur Förderung der Biotechnologie und Gentechnik

Postdoctoral Fellowships for researchers in the field of Life Sciences

  • Target group: postdocs < 34 years of age
  • Research fields: Life Sciences (molecular biology, genetics, proteomics, biochemistry, biophysics, systems biology, cell biology, microbiology, bio-medical engineering, biotechnology)
  • Scope of funding: own position
  • Funding period: max. 2 years
https://engelhorn-stiftung.de/index.php/stipendium.php

 

Humanities, Social Sciences, Educational Sciences, and Economics:

Institution/Funding Line Short description Further information (Link)
BMBF

Framework Programme Humanities and Social Sciences

The current BMBF Framework Programme "Understanding Society – Shaping the Future” (2019–2025) is strengthening the humanities and social sciences: It creates scope for researchers and for research into new subject areas, as well as for the development of powerful research data infrastructures.

https://www.geistes-und-sozialwissenschaften-bmbf.de/en/Uber-das-Programm.html
CAIS NRW Fellowship

With a Fellowship, the CAIS supports excellent researchers who are concerned with the social opportunities and challenges of the digital transformation. During the fellowship, the CAIS finances a representation at the home institution. Alternatively, the CAIS awards full scholarships of EUR 1,843 per month.

  • Target group: Scientists researching the social, political, economic, media or cultural effects of digitisation.
  • Funding: 600 €/month for leave of absence at the home institution or 1,843 €/month full scholarship + travel budget 40 € + rent-free office & 1-room apartment
  • Funding period: max. 6 months
https://www.cais.nrw/ausschreibung-2/fellowship/
Cotta-Stipendium

Funding is provided for research work by international scholars based on the holdings of the Cotta Archive and adjacent holdings from the 18th and 19th centuries in the German Literature Archive Marbach.

  • Target group: international postdoctoral researchers
  • Scope of funding: 1500 €/month
  • Funding period: 3 months
https://www.dla-marbach.de/forschung/das-marbacher-stipendienprogramm/die-stipendien-im-ueberblick/marbach-stipendien/
C.H. Beck-Stipendium für Literatur- und Geisteswissenschaften

Funding will be given to literary and humanities research projects which are characterised by convincing argumentation and a clear reference to their holdings.

  • Scope of funding: 1500 €/month
  • Funding period: max. 6 months
https://www.dla-marbach.de/forschung/das-marbacher-stipendienprogramm/die-stipendien-im-ueberblick/marbach-stipendien/
Deutsches Literaturarchiv Marbach: Marbach Scholarship Program

The Marbach Scholarship Program is open to scholars from Germany and abroad. Funding is provided for challenging research projects based on the collections of the German Literary Archives. Postdoctoral fellowships (also for higher endowed applicants) can be granted for research stays of one to four months at the Deutsches Literaturarchiv.

In addition to the "Marbach Scholarships", the Deutsches Literaturarchiv Marbach, in cooperation with third-party funding providers and patrons, also offers topic- and portfolio-related scholarships.

  • Scope of funding: 1,500 €/month
  • Funding period: max. 6 months
https://www.dla-marbach.de/forschung/das-marbacher-stipendienprogramm/
Deutsche Stiftung Friedensforschung

The funding includes support for postdoctoral researchers in the field of peace and conflict research.

  • Target group: postdoctoral researchers up to 6 years after completing their doctorate
  • Research field: Peace and Conflict Research
  • Scope of funding: max. 150,000 €
  • Funding period: max. 30 months
https://bundesstiftung-friedensforschung.de/leitfaden-zur-antragstellung-auf-foerderung-von-post-doc-forschungsprojekten/
Gerd Bucerius-Stipendien der ZEIT-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius

Funding is provided for projects by early career researchers in the field of literature and literary criticism as well as in the history of press and journalism with a clear reference to the holdings of the Marbach Literary Archives.

  • Scope of funding: 1500 €/month
  • Funding period: max. 2 months
https://www.dla-marbach.de/forschung/das-marbacher-stipendienprogramm/die-stipendien-im-ueberblick/marbach-stipendien/
Gerda Henkel-Stiftung

Grants for research projects in archaeology, history, historical Islamic studies, art history, legal history, prehistory, early history and history of science and in the special programs "Islam, modern nation-state and transnational movements" and "Security, society and state" as well as in the focus areas "Lost Cities. Perception of and life with abandoned cities in the cultures of the world" and "Democracy as utopia, experience and threat ".

  • Research field: Historical Humanities
  • Scope of funding: Basic scholarship amount, foreign supplement, flat-rate material allowance, travel expenses and, if applicable, other family-related benefits
  • Funding period: 1-24 months
https://www.gerda-henkel-stiftung.de/forschungsstipendien
Hilde-Domin-Stipendium für lateinamerikanisch-deutsche Literaturbeziehungen

Funding is provided for projects from the fields of Romance studies, German studies, comparative studies and related subjects who, on the basis of Marbach library and archive holdings, are concerned with Latin American-German literary relations.

  • Scope of funding: 1500 €/month + travel reimbursement up to max. 600 €.
  • Funding period: max. 4 months
https://www.dla-marbach.de/forschung/das-marbacher-stipendienprogramm/die-stipendien-im-ueberblick/marbach-stipendien/
Klassik Stiftung Weimar

The Weimar Scholarships support research projects that focus on European cultural history from the early modern period to the present and draw on the collections available in Weimar. Scholarship holders can work at all Klassik Stiftung Weimar institutions, primarily the Goethe and Schiller Archive, the Duchess Anna Amalia Library and museums. In order to ensure an interdisciplinary exchange of ideas during their stay in Weimar, a research colloquium is held at regular intervals

  • Target group: postdoctoral researchers who have already published in relevant journals.
  • Scope of funding: 1500 €/month
  • Funding period: 6 months
  • Application deadline: 31.1. + 31.7. each year
https://www.klassik-stiftung.de/forschung/forschungsaktivitaeten/foerderung/weimar-stipendien/#c1245
Marbach-Stipendien

Funding is provided for research work by scholars from Germany and abroad who rely on collections of the German Literature Archive, i.e. holdings of the manuscript department, the library, the documentation centre or the art collections.

  • Scope of funding: 1500 €/month
  • Funding period: 1-4 months
https://www.dla-marbach.de/forschung/das-marbacher-stipendienprogramm/die-stipendien-im-ueberblick/marbach-stipendien/
Norbert-Elias-Stipendium

Funding will be provided for projects to catalog and research the estate of Norbert Elias.

  • Scope of funding: 1025 €/month
  • Funding period: max. 4 months
https://www.dla-marbach.de/forschung/das-marbacher-stipendienprogramm/die-stipendien-im-ueberblick/marbach-stipendien/

Postdoctoral Fellowships Humanities at universities and research institutes in Germany – VolkswagenStiftung and Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Scholarships to humanities scholars from American universities and research institutions for a research stay in Germany. The cooperating institutions are the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies, the Lichtenberg-Kolleg in Göttingen, the Cluster of Excellence and the Zukunftskolleg at the University of Konstanz, the Dahlem Humanities Center at Freie Universität Berlin, the Berlin Center for Modern Oriental Studies, and the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) in Berlin, the National Museums in Berlin, the German National Library in Frankfurt, the Duke August Library in Wolfenbüttel, the German Literature Archive in Marbach and the Leibniz Institute for European History Mainz (IEG) and the Leopoldina Study Centre for the History of Science and Academies in Halle (Saale).

  • Target group: postdoctoral researchers up to 5 years after their doctorate.
  • Research fields: Humanities and Related Social Science Subjects
  • Scope of funding: Basic scholarship amount, travel expenses if applicable, and other family-related benefits
  • Funding period: 12 months
https://www.volkswagenstiftung.de/unsere-foerderung/unser-foerderangebot-im-ueberblick/postdoctoral-fellowships-in-den-geisteswissenschaften-an-universit%C3%A4ten-und-forschungsinstituten-in-deutschland-und-den-usa

 

Returnee programmes:

Institution/Funding Line Short description Further information (Link)
Feodor Lynen-Rückkehrstipendium – Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung

Return scholarship for reseachers who were previously supported with the Feodord Lynen scholarship.

  • Target group: German researchers who have spent at least 6 months abroad.
  • Scope of funding: basic scholarship amount, + lump-sum mobility allowance, + possibly family-related benefits
  • Funding period: max. 12 months
https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/web/lynen-rueckkehrstipendium.html
Rückkehrer-Stipendium – Leopoldina Nationale Akademie der Wissenschaften

Returnee Scholarship for researchers previously funded with the Leopoldina Postdoc Scholarship

  • Target group: German postdoctoral researchers who have spent at least 12 months abroad
  • Scope of funding: Basic scholarship amount, + material resources, + family benefits, if applicable
  • Funding period: 12 months
http://www.leopoldina.org/de/foerderung/das-leopoldina-foerderprogramm/rueckkehrer-stipendium/

 

Research projects abroad:

 

Interdisciplinary offers:

Institution/Funding Line Short description Further information (Link)
DAAD Bilateral Exchange

In order to improve international relations and bilateral research cooperation between German and foreign universities, the DAAD promotes the mutual exchange of researchers from partner countries. The exchange of academics is based on cultural exchange programs and bilateral agreements with foreign partner organisations. Lecture or congress trips are not funded.

  • Target group: Foreign researchers who hold a doctorate and work at a university or research institute in their home country.
  • Scope of funding: 2,000 €/month
  • Funding period: min. 14 days - 3 months
https://www.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/de/21148-stipendiendatenbank/?detail=50015508
DAAD Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility Experience (PRIME)

The PRIME programme enables Postdocs of all nationalities who see their long-term career in Germany to combine employment at a German university with a research stay outside Germany. At the same time, they can prepare their subsequent integration in a German institution through regular exchange. The support includes a twelve-month phase abroad and a six-month return phase at a German university.

  • Target group: Postdoctoral researchers
  • Scope of funding: work contract covering the entire funding period + travel allowances
  • Funding period: 18 month
https://www.research-in-germany.org/en/research-funding/funding-programmes/daad-postdoctoral-researchers-international-mobility-experience--p.r.i.m.e.-.html
ERASMUS+ Mobility Programs The ERASMUS+ program Dozentenmobilität offers the opportunity to gain teaching experience abroad and to intensify contact with partner universities. The funding line Personalmobilität focuses on further education and training as well as the exchange of experience at an ERASMUS (partner) university or a European company. https://www.uni-due.de/international/wege_ins_ausland.php
Feodor Lynen-Forschungsstipendium der Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung

For postdoctoral researchers from Germany who wish to carry out a long-term research project of their own choice in cooperation with an academic host (Humboldt Alumni) of their choice at a research institution abroad.

  • Target group: postdoctoral researchers up to 4 years after completing their doctorate
  • Destination: no restriction
  • Scope of funding: Basic scholarship amount, + foreign supplement, + lump sum for material resources, + if applicable, family benefits
  • Funding period: 6-24 months
http://www.humboldt-foundation.de/web/start.htm
Heinrich Hertz-Stiftung

The Heinrich Hertz Foundation promotes scientific exchange by awarding scholarships for international research stays. Eligible for a Heinrich Hertz Fellowship are postdoctoral researchers who are active in North Rhine-Westphalia and are planning a research project abroad, and researchers who are active abroad and are planning a research project in North Rhine-Westphalia. PhD projects are generally not funded. Funding will only be awarded if the applicant is about to complete his/her doctoral thesis and the stay abroad is absolutely necessary for completion.

  • Target group: postdoctoral researchers
  • Scope of funding: Accommodation and travel costs, max. 1,500 €/month
  • Funding period: max. 12 months (if necessary extension by + max. 12 months)
http://www.heinrich-hertz-stiftung.de/de/
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft: Minerva Stipendien

German and Israeli postdoctoral researchers from all disciplines will be supported.

  • Target group: researchers up to 7 years after completing their doctorate
  • Destination: Israel
  • Scope of funding: basic amount of the scholarship, + foreign supplement, + lump sum for material resources, + possibly family-related benefits
  • Funding period: 6-24 months
https://www.minerva.mpg.de/18373/fellowship-programme
JSPS-Postdoc-Stipendium der Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Research fellowships for highly qualified postdocs from Germany to carry out a self-chosen research project in cooperation with a self-chosen scientific host at a university or selected national research institution in Japan.

  • Target group: postdoctoral researchers up to 6 years after completing their doctorate
  • Destination: Japan
  • Funding: approx. 2600 €/month, +travel costs, +research trips, +accident and health insurance, +subsidy for language course
  • Funding period: 12-24 months
https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/web/jsps-stipendium-postdoc.html
Stiftung für Kanada-Studien

Awarding scholarships to particularly qualified scholars in the field of Canadian Studies for research stays at a university or other scientific institution in Canada.

  • Target group: postdocs from Germany, Austria or Switzerland.
  • Destination: Canada
  • Scope of funding: max. 12,000 €
  • Funding period: max. 9 months
http://www.stiftung-kanada-studien.de/postdoc.html

 

Natural Sciences and Medicine:

Institution/Funding Line Short description Further information (Link)
European Space Agency (ESA)

This program aims to enable early career researchers and engineers to carry out research in the various fields relevant to space research. The grant can be awarded for work in ESA centres of expertise (so-called Internal Fellowships) or at a host institute outside the home country (so-called External Fellowships).

  • Target group: postdocs with a doctorate in the fields relevant to space research
  • Destination: ESA Centres
  • Funding period: 12 months
http://www.esa.int/ESA
Leopoldina-Förderprogramm der Deutschen Akademie der Naturforscher

Awarding postdoctoral fellowships to postdocs with outstanding research qualifications for a long-term, contiguous stay at a renowned research institution outside the previous working institution in order to be able to carry out a challenging, original research project completely there.  

  • Target group: postdoctoral researchers (medicine, natural sciences) from DE, A, CH up to 7 years after completing their doctorate
  • Destination: no restriction
  • Scope of funding: basic amount of the scholarship, + foreign supplement, + lump sum for material resources, + possibly family-related benefits
  • Funding period: 12-24 months
http://www.leopoldina.org/de/foerderung/das-leopoldina-foerderprogramm/leopoldina-postdoc-stipendium/
Mildred-Scheel-Postdoktorandenprogramm der Deutschen Krebshilfe e.V.

Scholarships for researchers who want to carry out projects in the field of clinically related oncological basic research or clinical cancer research at renowned institutions abroad.

  • Target group: postdocs in medicine and natural sciences < 35 years of age
  • Destination: no restriction
  • Scope of funding: basic amount of the scholarship, + foreign supplement, + lump sum for material resources, + possibly family-related benefits
  • Funding period: 3-24 months
https://www.krebshilfe.de/forschen/foerderung/foerderprogramme/nachwuchsfoerderung/mildred-scheel-postdoktoranden/
Max-Kade-Foundation

The Max-Kade Foundation enables postdoctoral researchers with above-average qualifications to undertake research stays in the USA.

  • Target group: postdocs in medicine/natural sciences < 45 years of age
  • Destination: USA
  • Scope of funding: Basic scholarship amount, lump sum for material resources, travel expenses and, if applicable, other family-related benefits
  • Funding period: 12 months
http://maxkadefoundation.org/grants.html
Ministry of Science, Technology and Space (MOST), Israel

In order to encourage early career researchers to engage themselves in the Water Technology Research Program in the framework of the German-Israeli Cooperation, BMBF and MOST have initiated a young scientists exchange program in 1999. The program is open to Israeli and German doctoral and postdoctoral researchers who wish to spend a training period in Israel or Germany for up to 6 month, but not less than 1 month.

  • Scope of funding: 1,690 € (1st month), 1,380 € (2nd - 6th month)
  • Funding period: min. 1 month up to 6 months
https://www.ptka.kit.edu/young-scientists-exchange-program-ysep-2275.html

 

Humanities, Social Sciences, Educational Sciences, and Economics:

Institution/Funding Line Short description Further information (Link)
Deutsches Historisches Institut: Scholarship program for research stays in Great Britain Twice a year, the German Historical Institute London awards scholarships to postdoctoral researchers at German universities who wish to work on German-British relations, the history of the United Kingdom, Ireland or the British Empire/Commonwealth. https://www.ghil.ac.uk/scholarships.html
Deutsches Historisches Institut: Scholarship program for research stays in Poland

The German Historical Institute Warsaw awards scholarships to support research work in the field of Polish, German-Polish and Polish-Central European history that requires a stay in Poland. The scholarships are primarily aimed at early career researchers.

The application deadline is 31 March each year.

http://www.dhi.waw.pl/forschung/stipendien.html
Deutsches Historisches Institut Paris (DHIP)

With the Eugen Ewig Scholarship, the DHIP supports postdocs* on their way to professorship when applying for external funding. The aim of the four-month grant is to prepare individual project funding or, preferably, a research group within the framework of the Institute's thematic priorities. If a promising application is submitted, the fellowship can be extended until the decision of the third-party funding provider, but for a maximum of eight months.

  • Scope of funding: 2,000 €/month
  • Funding period: 4 (+8) months
https://www.dhi-paris.fr/foerderung/stipendien.html
Foundation for Canadian Studies

The Foundation for Canadian Studies awards postdoctoral fellowships to particularly qualified scholars in the field of Canadian Studies. The scholarship is intended as support for a research stay of up to nine months at a university or other scientific institution in Canada, whereby the study stay is to begin at the latest twelve months after the award of the scholarship at the annual conference of the GKS in Grainau.

  • Target group: postdoctoral researchers
  • Destination country: Canada
  • Funding period: max. 9 months
  • Deadline for applications: 1st November each year
http://www.stiftung-kanada-studien.de/postdoc.html
Gerda Henkel Stiftung

Awarding research fellowships to postdocs in the historical humanities, in particular for research projects in archaeology, history, historical Islamic studies, art history, the history of law, prehistory, early history and the history of science to carry out a research project that needs to be carried out individually. Research fellowships are also awarded in the special programs "Islam, modern nation-state and transnational movements" and "Security, society and state".

  • Target group: postdocs with a doctorate in historical humanities
  • Destination: no restriction
  • Scope of funding: Basic scholarship amount, +foreign surcharge, +flat rate for material resources, +travel costs, + family-related benefits
  • Funding period: 1-24 months
https://www.gerda-henkel-stiftung.de/fellowships
Jean Monnet Postdoctoral Fellowships des Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS), Florenz

The scholarship allows postdoctoral researchers of all nationalities to stay at the Robert Schuhman Centre for Advanced Studies in Florence. The research should focus on the following areas: European institutions, governance and democracy; migration; economic and monetary policy; competition policy and market regulation; energy and climate policy; global governance or international and transnational relations of the EU.

  • Target group: Postdocs up to 7 years after their doctorate.
  • Destination: Florence, Italy
  • Scope of funding: 2000 €/month, +travel costs, + family benefits if applicable
  • Funding period: 12-24 months
https://www.eui.eu/ServicesAndAdmin/AcademicService/Fellowships/JeanMonnetFellowships
Postdoctoral Fellowships Humanities at universities and research institutes in the USA – VolkswagenStiftung

Postdoctoral fellowships are awarded to humanities scholars of German universities and research institutions for a research stay in the USA (Mahindra Humanities Center/Harvard University, Washington University, Getty Research Institute, Transatlantic Academy, Georgetown University) in cooperation with the German Historical Institute.

  • Target group: postdoctoral researchers with a doctorate in the humanities and related social sciences up to 5 years after gaining their doctorate.
  • Destination: Host institutes in the USA
  • Scope of funding: Basic scholarship amount, + costs for equipment, if applicable, + family benefits if applicable
  • Funding period: 12 months
https://www.volkswagenstiftung.de/unsere-foerderung/unser-foerderangebot-im-ueberblick/postdoctoral-fellowships-in-den-geisteswissenschaften-an-universit%C3%A4ten-und-forschungsinstituten-in-deutschland-und-den-usa

 

 

Funding for female early career researchers:

 

Interdisciplinary:

Institution/Funding Line Short description Further information (Link)
DAB Förderausschuss

The Deutscher Akademikerinnenbund e.V. (DAB) promotes female researchers of all disciplines through its support committee and acknowledges their achievements by making visible and promoting academically educated women who at the same time serve as role models for the next generation of girls.

  • all subject fields
  • Scope of funding: Printing subsidies for the publication of scientific papers by a German publisher (up to 500 €), or inclusion of scientific publications in the own scientific series by LIT-Verlag (without payment of printing costs).
https://www.dab-ev.org/de/wer-wir-sind/dab-foerderausschuss.php
Frankfurter Stiftung maecenia für Frauen in Wissenschaft und Kunst: Project funding

The foundation supports women who pursue forward-looking projects in all fields of research, art and culture. In particular, maecenia supports projects that deal critically and constructively with society from the perspective of women and are interdisciplinary between science and art. The call is published every two years.

  • all subject fields
  • Scope of funding: max. 10,000 €
http://www.maecenia-frankfurt.de/
Margarete von Wrangell-Habilitation programme for women

With the Margarete von Wrangell habilitation program, female researchers are supported and encouraged to habilitate. In addition to financial support, habilitants receive special training and education offered by the Landeskonferenz der Gleichstellungsbeauftragten within the framework of the Mentoring Network MuT.

  • Target group: female postdoctoral researchers
  • Scope of funding: own position according to TV-L 13 for 5 years
http://www.margarete-von-wrangell.de/

 

Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine:

Institution/Funding Line Short description Further information (Link)
Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard-Stiftung

Scholarship for female postdocs doing research in experimental natural sciences and basic medical research with children. The funding is intended to relieve the burden on the household and childcare.

  • Target group: female postdoctoral researchers with children, maximum age 32 years
  • Scope of funding: 400 €/month
  • Funding period: 12 months
https://www.mystipendium.de/stipendien/christiane-nuesslein-volhard-stiftung
Daimler und Benz Stiftung

The Berta Benz Dissertation Award is aimed at female engineering scientists who have created a future-oriented social added value with the results of their dissertation. Applications are possible if the day of the dissertation was not more than one year ago on the date of the nomination. In addition, the doctorate must be awarded the grade "magna cum laude" or better.

  • Prize money: 10,000 €
  • Nomination period: 1st November of the current year to 1st March of the following year
https://www.daimler-benz-stiftung.de/cms/en/promote/bertha-benz-prizex/the-prize.html
Dr. Isolde Dietrich-Stiftung

To support female scientists in the physics of condensed matter, the Foundation awards a postdoctoral fellowship to female physicists for research work of a fundamental nature.

  • Target group: female postdoctoral researchers
  • Department: Physics
  • Scope of funding: ~8000 €
https://www.deutsches-stiftungszentrum.de/stiftungen/dr-isolde-dietrich-stiftung
EWE Stiftung: Helene-Lange-Preis

The Helene Lange Prize is awarded each year to a female researcher from the MINT disciplines (mathematics, computer science, natural and technical sciences) who is particularly committed to research and teaching. Applications are invited from all female postdoctoral researchers at German universities in the fields of mathematics, science, technology or computer science who have not yet been appointed to a full professorship.

  • Prize money: 10,000 €
http://www.helene-lange-preis.de/
Gerda-Weiler-Stiftung

The Gerda-Weiler-Foundation promotes interdisciplinary research activities of women, which deal with the historical, cultural and social sensitivities of women and are viewed from the point of view of women.

  • Subject fields: anthropology, biology, history, art, medicine, music, philosophy, religion, social sciences, spirituality, linguistics and literature.
  • Scope of funding: according to project
http://www.gerda-weiler-stiftung.de/
UNESCO Kommission and L'Oréal Deutschland: For Women in Science Programme

The scholarships are awarded internationally to female early career researchers (with children) from the life sciences who have outstanding scientific qualifications and, if possible, have already earned a doctorate. The fellowship finances a stay abroad, after which the junior researchers have to return to their home country.

 

  •  Target group: Life sciences
  •  Funding: up to 40,000 € for 1 (+1) years
https://www.unesco.de/wissen/wissenschaft/frauen-der-wissenschaft

 

 

Junior research groups:

Institution/Funding Line Short description Further information (Link)
Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung: Sofja Kovalevskaja-Preis

The aim of this program is to attract successful postdoctoral researchers from all disciplines from abroad to Germany so that they can set up a working group at a research institution of their choice in Germany for a period of five years and carry out a high-ranking and innovative research project of their own choice.

  • Research field: not limited
  • Scope of funding: max. € 1.65 million
  • Funding period: max. 5 years
https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/bewerben/foerderprogramme/sofja-kovalevskaja-preis
Boehringer Ingelheim Stiftung: Perspektiven-Programm "Plus 3"

The program is intended to give outstanding junior research group leaders from the fields of medicine, biology and chemistry the opportunity to further develop their independent research profile and to become eligible for a career. This program is also intended to provide an impetus for improving basic medical research in Germany.

  • Research fields: Medicine, Biology and Chemistry
  • Scope of funding: 200,000-300,000 €/year, own position as well as human resources, material and travel resources
  • Funding period: max. 3 years
https://www.boehringer-ingelheim-stiftung.de/was-wir-foerdern/foerdern-in-deutschland/perspektiven-programm-plus-3.html
Deutschen Krebshilfe: Max-Eder-Nachwuchsgruppenprogramm

Highly qualified young oncologists (physicians during or after their specialist training as well as natural scientists with an explicit clinical orientation of the project) will be supported in establishing an independent working group.

  • Research field: Oncology
  • Scope of funding: max. 600,000 €
  • Funding period: 3-5 years
https://www.krebshilfe.de/forschen/foerderung/foerderprogramme/nachwuchsfoerderung/max-eder-nachwuchsgruppen/
Emmy Noether- Nachwuchsgruppen der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)

The program enables excellent postdoctoral researchers to set up their own junior research group, usually with the aim of qualifying for a university teaching career. The prerequisite is an approximately 12-month experience abroad. It is regularly expected that the group will be located at a different institution than the location of the previous education. The aim of the program is also to bring persons abroad back to Germany.

  • Target group: excellent researchers up to four years after their doctorate
  • Research field: open
  • Scope of funding: junior research group including own position
  • Funding period: usually five, max. six years
http://www.dfg.de/foerderung/programme/einzelfoerderung/emmy_noether/index.html
ERC Starting Grant

ERC Starting Grants support promising postdoctoral researchers who are at the beginning of an independent research career in setting up their own research group.

  • Target group: Excellent postdoctoral researchers (2 to 7 years after their doctorate)
  • Scope of funding: up to a total of € 1.5 million euros
  • Funding period: max. 5 years
https://www.eubuero.de/erc-stg_en.htm
Fond der chemischen Industrie (material cost allowances)

Habilitation candidates and junior professors in chemistry and related disciplines can apply for a material cost grant of up to 10,000 euros. This funding is intended as a start-up aid for the development of an independent research area. The money can be used by top early career researchers, for example, to purchase special chemicals, equipment or specialist literature.

  • Target group: Habilitation candidates and junior professors
  • Research fields: Chemistry and related disciplines
  • Scope of funding: 10,000 €
  • Funding period: one-time
https://www.vci.de/fonds/hochschulfoerderung/sachkostenzuschuesse/seiten.jsp
Fraunhofer Attract

Fraunhofer Attract offers outstanding scientists the opportunity to develop innovative ideas towards an actual application by setting up their own research group in close cooperation with industry. The grant provides scientists with an attractive package of both funding and management responsibility, as well as outstanding working conditions in optimally equipped Fraunhofer labs.

  • Scope of funding: 2.5 Mio. Euros
  • Funding period: 5 years
https://www.fraunhofer.de/en/jobs-and-career/seasoned-professionals/fraunhofer-attract.html
Gottlieb Daimler- und Karl Benz-Stiftung (material cost allowances)

Scholarships from the Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz Foundation are intended to strengthen the autonomy and creativity of early career researchers. The foundation therefore awards scholarships to postdoctoral researchers, junior professors and leaders of junior research groups. The program is open to applicants from all disciplines, but the prerequisite is a connection to a German university or scientific institution and the implementation of a research project of one's own.

  • Target group: postdoctoral researchers up to two years after completing their doctorate
  • Funding: 20,000 Euro/year for financing scientific assistants, technical equipment, research trips or participation in conferences.
  • Funding period: max. 2 years
https://www.daimler-benz-stiftung.de/cms/de/foerdern/stipendienprogramm/stipendiaten.html
Helmholtz-Nachwuchsgruppe

Support fort excellent German and foreign postdoctoral researchers. The scientists benefit from the excellent infrastructure of the centres and the integration into a renowned and international working environment. In addition, the program offers a tenure option and a tailor-made advanced training and mentoring program. The group leaders work closely together with the universities to gain teaching experience and further qualifications for university careers.

  • Target group: German and foreign researchers up to 6 years after completing their doctorate
  • Research field: not limited
  • Scope of funding: up to 250,000 €/year, own position as well as human resources, material and travel resources
  • Funding period: max. 5 years
https://www.helmholtz.de/karriere_talente/wissenschaft/nachwuchsgruppen/
Leibniz Junior Research Groups

Leibniz Junior Research Groups offer talented and promising junior researchers an opportunity to conduct independent research, employ their own staff and work with excellent equipment and infrastructures. Successful candidates are enabled to set up their own research group in the inspiring research environment of a Leibniz Institute.

  • Scope of funding: up to 1.7 Mio. €
https://www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de/en/careers/careers-in-research.html
Max-Planck-Forschungsgruppe

The open-topic program offers talented postdocs the opportunity to establish a Max Planck research group at an MPI. After the doctorate, a stay abroad is offered, followed by a position as head of a working group. The group leaders are free to shape their own scientific research and can conduct it on their own responsibility and with their own budget - embedded in the extremely stimulating research life of an MPI. The contracts have a regular term of five years, with renewal options often available. Tenure-track positions can also be offered at some MPIs.

  • Scope of funding: ~ € 1 million
  • Funding period: 5 years, extension possible
https://www.mpg.de/karriere/max-planck-forschungsgruppen
Return Program of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

The program offers (inter-)national researchers who had their main place of residence in Germany before their research stay abroad the opportunity to realise their own research project and set up an independent junior research group at a North Rhine-Westphalian university of their choice.

  • Target group: German postdoctoral researchers with a stay abroad of at least 12 months
  • Research fields: the calls for tenders are topic-specific
  • Scope of funding: max.1,25 Mio €
  • Funding period: 5 years
https://www.uni-due.de/de/forschung/nrw-rueckkehr-programm.php
VolkswagenStiftung: Freigeist-Fellowship

The Freigeist-Fellowships are awarded to researchers of all nationalities who are involved in a German university or non-university research institution and who wish to move between established research fields and conduct high-risk research. Scientists can apply up to 5 years after their doctorate. In addition to your own position, you can also apply for staff positions or travel grants.

  • Department: not limited
  • Scope of funding: max. € 1 million
  • Funding period: max. 5 years
  • Deadline: 10 October
https://www.volkswagenstiftung.de/unsere-foerderung/unser-foerderangebot-im-ueberblick/freigeist-fellowships

 

 

Habilitation programmes:

 

Institution/Funding Line Short description Further information (Link)
FONTE Foundation

FONTE Foundation awards scholarships for habilitation projects in the humanities

  • Scope of funding: depending on project
http://www.fonte-stiftung.de/index.php?id=36
Gerhard-Bersu-Stipendium

The Foundation awards habilitation scholarships to researchers who are particularly active in the field of archaeology in Saxony, Lower Silesia and Bohemia.

  • Research field: Archaeology
  • Funding: 500 €/month for a maximum of two years, lump sum for material costs of 1000 €.
http://www.pro-archaeologia-saxoniae.org/de/11.html
Historisches Kolleg, München: Förderstipendium

The Historisches Kolleg, Munich, awards scholarships to two researchers who have already proven themselves. The scholarship holders should complete their postdoctoral theses during the funding period.

  • Research field: History
  • Scope of funding: Scholarships based on W2, travel expenses, rent subsidies for max. 1 year
http://www.historischeskolleg.de/fellowships.html
Liebig-Stipendium

The Liebig Scholarship supports chemists with a doctorate as well as postdocs from related fields who are aspiring to a university teaching career. The aim of the support is to promote the beginning of a university teaching career in chemistry and to enable further scientific qualification at the university.

  • Research field: Chemistry and related departments
  • Scope of funding: own position, material resources up to 50,000, travel expenses, employee position
https://www.vci.de/fonds/stipendien/liebig-stipendium/seiten.jsp
Margarete von Wrangell-Habilitationsprogramm for women

With the Margarete von Wrangell habilitation program, female researchers are supported and encouraged to habilitate. In addition to financial support, habilitants receive special training and education offered by the Landeskonferenz der Gleichstellungsbeauftragten within the framework of the Mentoring Network MuT.

  • Target group: female postdoctoral researchers
  • Scope of funding: own position according to TV-L 13 for 5 years
http://www.margarete-von-wrangell.de/
Walter und Sibylle Kalkhof-Rose-Stiftung: Final scholarship for habilitations

The Kalkhof Rose Foundation supports habilitations at an advanced stage (approx. 1 year before the completion of the habilitation thesis) through scholarships and in exceptional cases also through material cost subsidies.

  • research field: not limited
http://www.adwmainz.de/walter-und-sibylle-kalkhof-rose-stiftung.html

 

 

Junior professorships:

 

Institution/Funding Line Short description Further information (Link)
Robert Bosch Stiftung: Junior Professorship "Sustainable Use of Natural Resources"

Every year, the foundation invites applications for the Robert Bosch Junior Professorship "Sustainable Use of Natural Resources". The junior professorship gives outstanding postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to conduct research at a German university or research institution on the sustainable use of natural resources, especially in developing and transition countries.

  • Research fields: Natural and Social Sciences, Agricultural and Forest Sciences, Biology, Environmental Sciences, Economics, Politics, Sociology, Medicine
  • Scope of funding: max. € 1 million
  • Funding period: 5 years
https://www.bosch-stiftung.de/de/projekt/robert-bosch-juniorprofessur-nachhaltige-nutzung-natuerlicher-ressourcen
VolkswagenStiftung: Lichtenberg-Stiftungsprofessuren

With the "Lichtenberg StiftungsProfessuren", the Donors' Association for the Promotion of Sciences and Humanities in Germany and the VolkswagenStiftung would like to establish the new funding instrument of endowment at universities in Germany. This will support universities in attracting outstanding postdoctoral researchers from innovative, promising and high-risk research fields.

  • research fields: all disciplines
  • Scope of funding: at least € 5 million
https://www.volkswagenstiftung.de/unsere-foerderung/unser-foerderangebot-im-ueberblick/lichtenberg-stiftungsprofessuren

 

 

Material cost allowances:

Institution/Funding Line Short description Further information (Link)
Fond der chemischen Industrie (material cost allowances)

Habilitation candidates and junior professors in chemistry and related disciplines can apply for a material cost grant of up to 10,000 euros. This funding is intended as a start-up aid for the development of an independent research area. The money can be used by top early career researchers, for example, to purchase special chemicals, equipment or specialist literature.

  • Target group: Habilitation candidates and junior professors
  • Research fields: Chemistry and related disciplines
  • Scope of funding: 10,000 €
  • Funding period: one-time
https://www.vci.de/fonds/hochschulfoerderung/sachkostenzuschuesse/seiten.jsp
Gottlieb Daimler- und Karl Benz-Stiftung (material cost allowances)

Scholarships from the Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz Foundation are intended to strengthen the autonomy and creativity of early career researchers. The foundation therefore awards scholarships to postdoctoral researchers, junior professors and leaders of junior research groups. The program is open to applicants from all disciplines, but the prerequisite is a connection to a German university or scientific institution and the implementation of a research project of one's own.

  • Target group: postdoctoral researchers up to two years after completing their doctorate
  • Funding: 20,000 Euro/year for financing scientific assistants, technical equipment, research trips or participation in conferences.
  • Funding period: max. 2 years
https://www.daimler-benz-stiftung.de/cms/de/foerdern/stipendienprogramm/stipendiaten.html
Nordrhein-Westfälische Akademie der Wissenschaften: Junges Kolleg

The "Junges Kolleg" is the training ground of the Nordrhein-Westfälische Akademie der Wissenschaften (North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences). It supports 35 of the best early career researchers: financially, professionally and ideally. For their research and stays abroad, the fellows each receive 10,000 euros per year for four years.

  • Research field: not limited
  • Funding: 10.000 €/year
  • Funding period: 4 years
http://www.awk.nrw.de/akademie/junges-kolleg.html