Funding opportunities for (prospective) ZEPP Fellows
DISCLAIMER: All information (including specific information on amounts of funding etc.) is as of October 2023. All information listed here has been drawn from the websites that are listed. We do not take any accountability for accuracy – please always consult the websites of the listed funding agencies as well.
If you have any questions concerning these funding opportunities, e.g. which funding opportunity might be the best fit or which funding opportunity might offer better chances of success for your project, please do not hesitate to contact us at zepp@lmu.de.
After having been accepted to the ZEPP short-term Fellowship programme, we strongly advise you to seek council at the LMU Research Services. Please do so as early as possible – in any case before submitting an application to any of the funding opportunities listed below.
A general overview of the German research environment and funding opportunities can be found at Research in Germany.
Securing funding is crucial for academics in Germany as it can facilitate research, travel, and career advancement. Germany offers various funding opportunities for scholars from a variety of sources, both public and private, on different levels (global, European, national, regional). This guide provides an overview of some of the key funding opportunities relevant to conducting your own independent research at the ZEPP and at LMU:
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
DFG is the central funding organization for academic research in Germany. It offers a wide range of funding programs for researchers at different stages of their careers, including individual long-term or short-term grants and collaborative research grants.
- Walter Benjamin Programme
- Who?
Postdoctoral researchers (both from Germany and from abroad) at an early career phase (Recognised Researcher R2 as per the EU scheme) - What?
Position based at German research institution (e.g. ZEPP) to independently conduct one’s own research with further funding for travel, publication costs, etc. - How long?
Up to two years - More Info
- Individual Research Grant
- Who?
Researchers (both from Germany and from abroad) with a doctoral degree - What?
Position based at German research institution (e.g. ZEPP) to independently conduct one’s own research (module “Temporary Positions for Principal Investigators”, known as “Eigene Stelle”) with further funding for travel, replacements, workshops, etc. - How long?
Project-specific (usually up to three years, with further three years extension possible) - More Info
- Emmy Noether Programme
- Who?
Early career researchers (both from Germany and from abroad) who want to qualify for the post of professor at a university with (normally) two to four years of postdoctoral experience - What?
Independent junior research group based at German research institution (e.g. ZEPP) to conduct one’s own research including a position of Junior Research Group Leader for the applicant with further funding for research staff, travel, replacements, workshops, etc. - How long?
Six years - More Info
- Heisenberg Programme
- Who?
Researchers (both from Germany and from abroad) who are generally appointable to a full professorship in Germany but are not yet appointed (prove of e.g. habilitation or equivalent, former Junior Research Group Leaders, positively evaluated junior professors, assistant/associate professors) - What?
Either Heisenberg position (similar to Junior Research Group Leader, see Emmy Noether Programme) or Heisenberg Fellowship (€4,450 per month plus further allowances for research, children, health insurances etc.) based at German research institution (e.g. ZEPP) to conduct one’s own research with further funding for research staff, travel, replacements, workshops, etc. - How long?
Up to five years - More Info
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation: Humboldt Research Fellowships
- Who?
Researchers who have completed their doctorates less than four years ago (postdocs) or who have completed their doctorates between four and twelve years ago (experienced researchers) and come from abroad, that is who have lived outside of Germany for a minimum of 12 months within the 18-month period prior to the submission of the application. German nationals as well as researchers who obtained one (or more) university degree(s) in Germany are eligible only if habitual place of work and residence have been located abroad for at least five years prior to the submission. Researchers from Brazil are only eligible for the Capes-Humboldt Research Fellowship with the same requirements and benefits; researchers from developing and emerging countries whose research deals with issues of major relevance to the future development of the candidate’s country or region of origin are also eligible for the Georg Forster Research Fellowship. - What?
Monthly fellowship of €2,670 (postdocs) or €3,170 (experienced researchers) with further benefits, including mobility expenses, health insurance subsidy, language courses, family allowance, fellowship extension for researchers accompanied by children under the age of 12, etc. predominately based at German research institution (e.g. ZEPP) - How long?
6–24 months (postdocs) or 6–18 months, divisible up into a maximum of three blocks within 36 months (experienced researchers) - More Info
Fritz Thyssen Foundation: Research Project
- Who?
Junior researchers with a doctoral degree (both from Germany and from abroad) - What?
Position based at German research institution (e.g. ZEPP) to independently conduct one’s own research with further funding for travel, research expenses, etc. - How long?
Two years with a possible extension of one year - More Info
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (Horizon Europe/European Commission): Postdoctoral Fellowships
- Who?
Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis and who have no more than eight years research experience from the date of the award of their doctoral degree and who have not resided or worked in Germany for more than 12 months in the 36 months before the call deadline - What?
Funding includes a living allowance, a mobility allowance, if applicable further family, long-term leave, and special needs allowances, and funding for research, training, and networking activities to support the independent pursuit of one’s own research at a host institution (e.g. ZEPP) - How long?
Usually between 12 and 24 months - More Info
Further funding opportunities may be found at the following institutions:
- European Research Council (ERC): funding for research projects for early career researchers (Starting Grant, €1,5 Mio. over five years) and further grants for more advanced researchers
- German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD): e.g. grants for 1-year stays for Doctoral Candidates and short-term grants (1–3 months)
- Gerda Henkel Foundation: funding for history-related projects as well as projects that fit within topic-specific calls (e.g. currently calls for research on democracy and on migration)
- Volkswagen Foundation: funding opportunities according to topic-specific calls