Research in Europe - Funders and Research Organisations

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AvH - Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

Blue Slot: The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation promotes academic cooperation between excellent scientists and scholars from abroad and from Germany. Whether you are a young postdoctoral researcher at the beginning of your academic career or an experienced, established academic – our funding programmes offer you sponsorship tailored to you and your career situation.

If you would like to become a member of the Humboldt Family, only one thing counts: your own outstanding performance. There are no quotas, neither for individual countries, nor for particular academic disciplines. Furthermore, we support people and projects and aim at enhancing our international network, connecting young top-notch researchers and the world’s leading personalities in research and research-related, socially relevant fields. The presentation will focus on the Foundation’s sponsorship opportunities for researchers based in Germany who wish to conduct a research project abroad such as the Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship Programme.

DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service

Yellow Slot: Funding for PhD candidates/students: The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) informs about funding for research stays abroad and in Germany during your doctoral studies. The DAAD also introduces special research funding opportunities at the German Aerospace Centers (DLR) in Germany.

Blue Slot: Funding for PostDocs: In addition to Postdoc programmes such as „PRIME“ (Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility Experience – 18 months), an outgoing mobility scheme based on employment in Germany, the DAAD also introduces short-term postdoctoral research scholarships for working abroad, as well as special programmes.

DFG – German Research Foundation

Yellow Slot: The DFG supports researchers doing their PhD within DFG-funded projects, especially within Research Training Groups (GRK/RTG). The RTGs provide optimal conditions for early career researchers by offering both a challenging research programme and a fitting qualification programme, in combination with the support needed during the PhD phase and for the start of their career afterwards. Undertaking one’s doctorate in another DFG-funded research project, one is closely involved in the implementation of the project and can use the entire project infrastructure.

Blue Slot: The DFG offers funding programmes for researchers after their PhD at different steps of their career: the Walter Benjamin Programme for early postdocs to support mobility, the Emmy Noether Programme for excellent researchers 2-4 years after their PhD to give them the chance to qualify for a professorship by leading an independent junior research group, and the Heisenberg Programme for outstanding researchers who already meet all the requirements for appointment to a permanent professorship and intend to acquire further academic merits for an academic leadership role. Furthermore, the module “Temporary Positions for Principal Investigators”, available in the Individual Research Grant programme, enables individuals at any career stage after their PhD to carry out a research project on a defined topic within a limited period of time and to request funding for their position as a project leader.

Helmholtz Association

Yellow & Blue Slot: The Helmholtz Association is Germany´s largest research organization. Our cutting-edge research thrives on the creative ideas of our teams. That’s why we not only offer scientists an innovative working environment with research facilities that are unique in the world, but also provide them with targeted support at every stage of their careers. The presentation will give an overview of our Association, of our support offers for early stage researchers, and of our Young Investigator Group program.

KoWi – European Liaison Office of the German Research Organisations

Yellow Slot: Funding for PhD candidates/students: KoWi presents the funding scheme Doctoral Networks of the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions. The focus is on the specifics of the funding line and different aspects of the training programme.

Blue Slot: Funding for PostDocs: KoWi presents the funding scheme Postdoctoral Fellowships of the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions. Participants will gain insights into the objectives and special features of the funding line.

Leibniz Association

Yellow & Blue Slot: The Leibniz Association connects 97 independent research institutes that range in focus from engineering, natural and environmental sciences to economics, spatial and social sciences and the humanities. Leibniz Institutes address issues of social, economic and ecological relevance. The Leibniz Association offers a wide range of career opportunities, including the classic career path towards a scientific leadership position (through programmes like the Leibniz-Junior Research Groups) as well as a variety of attractive occupations in fields such as research infrastructures or research management.

Max Planck Society

The Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science e.V. (Max Planck Gesellschaft, MPG) is Europe’s leading research organisation focussing on basic research across all research fields and a springboard for an international academic career.

Yellow Slot: Funding for PhD candidates/students: Max Planck institutes offer excellent conditions – in cooperation with the universities – to enable junior scientists to study and carry out research. The International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS), Max Planck Schools and Max Planck Graduate Centers offer structured graduate training programmes with a defined curriculum and strong supervision. Finally, the Planck Academy offers all students additional opportunities for further training and personal career development beyond specific scientific interests.

Blue Slot: Funding for PostDocs: The MPG offers access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure and collaborates with global leading research institutions to position you in international peer groups. The MPG also offers internal funding and emboldens you to attract external awards to enrich your CV. The Planck Academy offers specially tailored seminars to help you develop your transferable and communication skills and prepare you for leadership roles. Other focus areas are project management, science communication, entrepreneurship, career planning and work-life balance. Additionally personal career coaching is offered on demand.

Studienstiftung – German Academic Scholarship Foundation

Yellow Slot: The Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes – German Academic Scholarship Foundation – awards scholarships to outstanding students, irrespective of their political, ideological or religious convictions and affiliations. The Studienstiftung currently supports around 12,900 students and 1,100 doctoral candidates, with approximately 2,600 new students and 300 doctoral candidates admitted every year. Funding is available for students studying for degrees in all accredited programmes and institutions of higher education.