Calls for Application
Calls with deadlines
CfA: German Datacenter Talents & Impact Awards 2026
Organisation: German Datacenter Association (GDA)
Target Group: Students, graduates, and university start-ups
Deadline: August 1, 2026
The German Datacenter Association (GDA) invites students, graduates, and university start-ups to submit their visions for the digital infrastructure of the future. The award focuses on two categories: “Young Talents,” honoring outstanding bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral theses with €2,500, and “Innovation & Future Technologies,” recognizing teams and start-ups developing solutions for data centers. The initiative aims to support emerging talent and bring innovative research closer to real-world application within the industry. Applications are open until August 1, 2026, and the award ceremony will take place on September 17, 2026, at the German Datacenter Conference in Bad Vilbel.
CfA: STEP USA University Program 2026
Organisation: German Center for Research and Innovation New York (DWIH NY) and German-American Chambers of Commerce, Inc. (GACC NY)
Target Group: Start-ups
Deadline: August 15, 2026
The STEP USA University Program invites German university start-ups and spin-offs to apply for a three-day program in New York City from November 16–18, 2026. Organized by the German Center for Research and Innovation New York (DWIH NY) and the German-American Chambers of Commerce, Inc. (GACC NY), the program offers practical insights into the U.S. market, including workshops on market entry, legal requirements, pitching, sales, and investor engagement. Applications from start-ups connected to the DWIH supporter network, including Heidelberg University, will receive priority consideration until August 15, 2026.
CfA: Alliance Equipment Call 2026
Organisation: Health + Life Science Alliance Heidelberg Mannheim
Target Group: Principal Investigators (PIs) at Alliance partner institutions
Deadline: August 17, 2026
The Equipment Call 2026 offers funding of €50,000–€200,000 for equipment and maintenance or service contracts needed for interinstitutional research projects across partner institutions of the Health + Life Science Alliance Heidelberg Mannheim. The call is aimed at collaborative initiatives in core research areas such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, neuropsychiatric disorders, genomics, synthetic immunology, molecular engineering, medical technologies, and AI applications in health and life sciences. Applications may be submitted by Principal Investigators (PIs) and are open until August 17, 2026.
CfA: Pioneering Research – Exploring the Unknown Unknown
Organisation: Volkswagen Foundation
Target Group: Postdoctoral researchers and professors at German universities and research institutes
Deadline: August 27, 2026
The Volkswagen Foundation’s “Pioneering Research – Exploring the Unknown Unknown” program supports bold research projects that aim not just to answer open questions, but to explore entirely new questions and fields that have not yet been identified. The call is open to postdoctoral researchers and professors from all disciplines at German universities and research institutes. Funding can amount to up to €1.3 million for the duration of three to five years and international collaborations are possible.
CfA: Klaus Tschira Boost Fund
Organisation: Klaus Tschira Foundation
Target Group: Postdoctoral researchers
Deadline: October 1, 2026
The Klaus Tschira Boost Fund supports postdoctoral researchers in Germany working in selected non-clinical fields, including biology, chemistry, computer science, geosciences, mathematics, neurosciences, and physics. The program offers flexible funding of up to €115,000 for 24 months and is aimed at postdocs who do not yet hold a permanent position or tenure option. Applications are open until October 1, 2026.