Calls for Application
Calls with deadlines
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: ForTra – Funding for Regulatory Consulting Costs to Promote Translation of Medical Projects
Organisation: ForTra gGmbH for Research Transfer of the Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung
Target Group: Medical researchers and natural scientists at non-profit research institutions in Germany
Deadline: September 15, 2026
ForTra supports researchers whose projects aim to advance a new drug or medical device into a clinical trial. The funding covers professional regulatory consulting, including the preparation, conduct, and follow-up of orientation meetings with the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (PEI) or the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). The aim is to clarify regulatory and preclinical requirements at an early stage and better prepare projects for first-in-human studies. Applications are open until September 15, 2026.
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.
CfA: CZS Innovation Teams
Organisation: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung
Target Group: Research-based founding teams from the natural, life, and engineering sciences
Deadline: October 30, 2026
The CZS Innovation Teams program supports research-based founding teams in developing scientific results into market-ready applications and preparing for external follow-up financing. Funding is available for up to two years, with up to €400,000 for two-person teams and up to €600,000 for larger teams. Projects must be based on the team’s own research, and the team should already have a preliminary business model as well as an initial understanding of the market potential and customer needs. Applications must be submitted through an eligible research institution or non-profit technology transfer organization, as individuals cannot apply directly. At Heidelberg University, teams should contact hei_INNOVATION at gruendungsberatung@heiinnovation.uni-heidelberg.de by mid-September 2026 to prepare for the October 30 deadline.