Overview Funding for Early Stages of Scientific Careers

The Heidelberg Research Service supports early-career researchers with doctoral degrees in navigating the diverse range of national and international funding programs—from the postdoctoral phase to early scientific independence. This page brings together important information on relevant funding sources and funding programs. Furthermore, it provides an overview of application and funding modalities.

The most important funding offers at a glance

Table filters

Table

Funding Agency Title	Target Group	Description

Funding Agency Title	Target Group	Description
DFG Walter Benjamin programme (position)	early career (R2)	Up to two years of funding for an individual research project within Germany, including financing of the researcher's own position and a general subsidy for material costs; as a rule, a change of institution is envisaged
DFG Walter Benjamin Programme (scholarship)	early career (R2)	Research grant to finance an individual research project abroad as part of the Walter Benjamin Program
DFG Grant: Temporary Positions for Principal Investigators	PhD scientists in general	Up to three years of funding for your own position and material resources as part of an individually designed DFG research project
DFG Emmy Noether Programme	0–4 years after obtaining a doctoral degree (exceptions possible, e.g., for parenthood, medicine up to 6 years) and temporary junior professors	Establishment and management of a junior research group, financing of personnel, material, and investment resources to qualify for a professorship
EU MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships (PF)	0–8 years after obtaining a doctoral degree	Individual postdoctoral fellowship to finance an international research stay and further academic qualification
EU ERC Starting Grant	0–10 years after obtaining a doctoral degree (exceptions possible, e.g., for parenthood)	Funding for an individual research project, including personnel and material resources for establishing an independent research group
Carl Zeiss Foundation Nexus Grant	different career stages (depending on tender)	Fostering interdisciplinary projects through project and material resources to connect science, technology, and society
Fritz Thyssen Foundation Support of Projects	PhD scientists in general	Funding of clearly defined research projects through personnel, material, and project resources in defined funding lines
Klaus Tschira Foundation Klaus Tschira Boost Fund	different career stages (early career-mid career)	Grant to finance one's own position respectively personnel costs, materials, and travel expenses
Marsilius-Kolleg Young  Marsilius Fellows	0–4 years after obtaining a doctoral degree	For outstanding postdoctoral researchers at Heidelberg University and surrounding non-university research institutions: €5,000 per fellowship to be used freely for their own research and academic development
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Humboldt Research Fellowship	0–4 years after obtaining a doctoral degree (for experienced researchers: up to 12 years)	Research grant to finance an individual research stay at a scientific institution in Germany
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship	0–4 years after obtaining a doctoral degree (for experienced researchers: up to 12 years)	Research grant to finance a research stay abroad for researchers from Germany
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Georg Forster Research Fellowship	0–4 years after obtaining a doctoral degree (for experienced researchers: up to 12 years); is directed at researchers from developing and emerging countries	Research grant to finance a research stay in Germany with a focus on development policy-related research
Vector Foundation STEM innovations	different career stages	Funding for innovative STEM research projects, varying levels of funding: project-related material and financial resources, including personnel costs where applicable

Further funding opportunities

In addition to the programs listed, numerous other national and international funding opportunities are available.

The Pivot-RP funding database provides a comprehensive overview of current calls for proposals in science, business, and politics, and enables university members to conduct targeted searches by subject area, career stage, and funding format.

Pivot-RP

In addition, the federal ministries publish topic-specific funding opportunities for research and innovation at irregular intervals. A central overview is available in the federal government's funding finder.

The Federal Government's Funding Finder

Support services offered by Heidelberg University

Heidelberg Research Service

Contact Persons

This page provides an overview of the publicly available contact persons at Heidelberg Research Service.

Unify

Olympia Morata Programme

The Olympia Morata Program (OMP) at Heidelberg University is aimed specifically at women and supports outstanding female postdoctoral researchers in the R2 phase.

Research Funding

Databases & Information Services

This page lists additional databases and information services to help you navigate the available funding opportunities.

Funders

German Research Foundation

DFG

The German Research Foundation (DFG) funds research projects across all scientific disciplines. This includes funding for individual projects and research collaborations, awards for outstanding research achievements, and support for scientific infrastructure and academic networks.

European Commission

EU Research Funding

The European Commission traditionally channels its funding for research and technological development through time-limited framework programs that are thematically aligned with the European Union’s strategic objectives.

Federal Ministries

BMFTR and others

The research funding provided by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space aims to finance the development of new ideas and technologies.

Other Funding Organizations

Foundations

A large number of foundations are dedicated to supporting research in Germany. They fund individual projects, offer awards, and provide scholarships or publication grants.