CALL FOR PROPOSALS SEED FUNDING FOR DEVELOPING A COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROPOSAL
AIM
The Research Council of Field of Focus 4 (FoF4), Self-Regulation and Regulation: Individuals and Societies, plans to fund a new Thematic Research Network (TRN).
We invite applications aimed at strengthening the research profile of FoF4 and thereby fostering inter- and transdisciplinary research networks. The initiative seeks to connect researchers around a shared topic while providing integrated support for early-career scholars. This call is addressed to researchers involved in either late-stage projects, who aim to finish their collaborative research proposal within the current funding period by end of 2026 or to researches, who plan to develop their project ideas from the very beginning. In the latter case, additional funding will be possible beyond the current funding period in case of the positive evaluation of Heidelberg University as University of Excellence.
This funding format is conceived as seed funding for the development of large-scale collaborative research proposals, such as ERC Grants, Horizon Europe Grants, DFG-Graduate Schools, or DFG research groups. The call is thematically open but should align with collaborative research interests within FOF4. FOF4 research comprises research from the behavioral and social sciences and law. The new TRN may be topically related to the existing TRNs as described on our website or open a new research focus. Applicants from disciplines outside FoF4 are also strongly encouraged to participate and contribute to the proposal but the PIs should be FoF4 associates.
FUNDiNG SCHEME
Funding shall start in March 2026 and end in December 2026. You can apply for up to 90.000 EUR (e.g., for a TVL-E13 faculty position, student assistants, and workshop money). Please be aware that the budget will not be transferable into 2027.
PROPOSAL
Proposals shall not exceed a maximum of 1,5 pages (budget plan, time schedule, CV, and further appendices excluded) and may be submitted by members of the FoF4. The research team should consist of at least two PIs (professors, post-docs) from within FoF4, but can also include more researchers also from the other FoFs. PIs cannot fund their own positions with this grant. Applicants and their affiliations need to be listed in the proposal; additional researchers may be affiliated during the funding period. The proposal should highlight interdisciplinary aspects, the synergy aimed at, the use of – or further development of – FoF4 structures, and clearly aim towards the development of an application for competitive collaborative third-party funding.
The proposal should cover the following aspects:
- Short summary
- Aim of the project
- Interdisciplinary aspects
- Intended application for third-party funding
- Budget plan
- Information on applicants (including name, affiliation, up to five publications relevant for the research project, list of currently funded projects including those highlighted that have a direct link to the proposed research)
REVIEW AND QUALITY CONTROL
The Research Council of FoF4 will select proposals for potential funding and make funding suggestions to the rectorate. The Research Council can involve additional experts for advice. Regular reporting on activities to the Research Council will be mandatory in case the project is funded.
TIMELINE
Deadline for proposal submission is 15th January 2026. Proposals should be sent in a single pdf and with the subject line “FoF4-Call Seed Funding-2026” to:
fof4@uni-heidelberg.de
Proposals submitted after the deadline cannot be taken into consideration. Please address your proposal to the Research Council of the Field of Focus 4. Please contact Suse Beyer via email in case of questions:
fof4@uni-heidelberg.de