The DFG Individual Research Grants enable qualified researchers (typically holding a doctorate) at German research institutions to undertake self-contained projects of high scientific quality and originality—across all disciplines—over a tailor-made funding period.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Doctorate or equivalent degree completed.
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Employed at a non-commercial, publish-permitted German research institution.
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Open to all disciplines; pure service-oriented or proprietary-only institutions are ineligible.
Funding Details:
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Modules:
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Basic Module: Project funds for personnel, consumables, travel, small equipment.
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Temporary Positions: Salary support for principal investigators, clinician substitutes, or project staff.
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Workshops & Collaborations: Funding for project-specific workshops and Mercator Fellows.
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Gender Equality: Standard allowance for measures promoting equality.
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International Collaboration: Travel and visiting-scholar funds for foreign partners under relevant modules; special procedures for developing-country and Middle East cooperation; standing open procedures (e.g., lead-agency arrangements).
Deadlines:
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First Proposal: Rolling submissions—no fixed deadline.
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Renewals: At least six months before exhaustion of current funding.
Where to Apply & Further Information:
Submit proposals and access forms via DFG’s elan direct access portal.
Full guidelines and module details available on the DFG website under “Individual Research Grants Programme.”