Research and Teaching in Germany
Research and Teaching in Germany
Research in Germany - at over 700 state funded institutions
Germany has a highly differentiated research system. Aside from research at universities, research also takes place at many research institutes, public- and state-funded research centres, and Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen). Research in Germany is world-class. So far, German researchers have won a total of 80 Nobel Prizes. Research in Germany is international. Following German, English is the second most popular language of academic research.
The strength of German research can be attributed largely to the outstanding quality of the infrastructure and facilities, highly qualified scientists, researchers, and lab assistants, as well as close cooperation with other institutions in Europe and worldwide on large research projects.
On the homepages of these organizations you will also find important information regarding the funding of your research and the financing of research projects.
The most important research institutions are:
The Max Planck Society - www.mpg.de
→ Excellent base research at one of the many Max Planck Institutes in Germany. The Max Planck Society (MPG) supports about 40 independent Junior Research Groups and approximately 3000 international guest researchers in its institutes.
The Fraunhofer Society - www.fraunhofer.de
→ For the applied sciences in collaboration with industry, the service sector and the government. There are more or less 80 Fraunhofer Institutes in the fields of Communication, Energy, Microelectronic, Production, Transport and the Environment. Apply for the management of a research group through the “Fraunhofer Attract: Head of Research Group” program.
The Helmholtz Association - www.helmholtz.de
→ The largest scientific research organization between basic and applied research, mainly financed by the government. Here you will find support for the creation of a Young Investigator Group.
Leibniz Science Association - www.wgl.de
→ 79 Institutes and Service Facilities for interdisciplinary research and cooperation with industry, public administration, politics, and in close cooperation with universities.
The largest research funding organizations are:
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) - www.humboldt-foundation.de
→ The foundation for the scientific elite, with funding for longer research stays in Germany and a fantastic alumni network! Establish your international scientific relations with the Trans-Coop Program! Apply for scholarships such as the Humboldt Research Fellowships for Postdoctoral Researchers and the Sofya Kovalevskaya Award.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) - www.daad.de
→ The largest German funding organization in the field of international academic exchanges; scholarships available at all levels of postsecondary study, from undergraduate students to post-doc researchers offered for study abroad to both foreign students and scholars in Germany. The largest worldwide academic network. The DAAD is the promotion of bilateral cooperation programs, programs of the project-people exchanges and joint degree programs. You can also apply for individual research grants, research stays, visiting professorships, lecture and conference funding!
The German Research Foundation (DFG) - www.dfg.de
→ The largest funder of German research at the international level. The German Research Foundation supports more than 20,000 research projects annually, and awards scholarships to international researchers. Apply with your German partner institution for cooperative international research projects, the financing of a collaborative conference or symposium, or apply for a position at a DFG research centre, excellence cluster, or international DFG project. Create your own research group with the help of the Emmy Noether Program!
Do you have very few contacts in Germany and you’re looking for some sound academic advice regarding the organization of a research project in Germany? Search in the Research Explorer www.research-explorer.dfg.de
You’d like to learn more information about the financing of your research, rankings, and research projects? There’s plenty of information about these and many other topics offered through the research portal sponsored by BMBF, DFG, and DAAD: www.research-in-germany.de.
A similar wealth of information is found in the Researcher’s Mobility Portal: http://www.eracareers-germany.de/en and the Research Portal of the BMBF: http://www.forschungsportal.net/index-en.html
Research Funding at german universities and research institutes
Please find here an overview of the research funding opportunities in the brochure: "German Funding Programmes for Science and Research" www.research-in-germany.de/funding_programmes
Mobility Grants, study trips, and student exchange
DAAD: Funding for Joint Research CollaborationsFor Academics, scientists, graduates, doctoral students, diploma students from Germany and a respective partner country with which an appropriate agreement has been signed // to intensify scientific cooperation within the scope of a concrete, joint research project
DAAD: Study Visits, Study Seminars and Practicals
For groups of 10 to 15 students from all disciplines from the 3rd semester under the guidance of a university teacher // To maintain contacts between foreign and German universities and provide an insight into economic, political and cultural life in Germany
DAAD: Bilateral Exchange of Academics and Scientists
For academics and scientists from universities or research institutes working in all subject areas in Germany or in partner countries with which an appropriate agreement has been signed // Support is available for a research or study stay within the scope of the bilateral exchange of academics and scientists
DFG: Initiating and intensifying bilateral cooperation
For researchers preparing for or carrying out research projects with colleagues abroad // To prepare for and support bilateral research projects
Visit: http://www.daad.org/?p=50412
PostDoc Stipendien und Finanzierung für Junior Scientists
DAAD: Research Grants
For doctoral students and young academics/scientists from all disciplines // Research project within the scope of the doctorate; research studies
DAAD: Research Stays, Re-invitations
For foreign university teachers, academics, scientists, former holders of DAAD one-year scholarships // To carry out a research or study project at a German university or non-university research institute
visit: http://www.daad.org/?p=50412
DFG: Clusters of Excellence
For doctoral students, postdocs and senior scientists // Internationally visible and competitive large research center, significant contribution to the research profile of the university, local concentration of excellent research competence with thematic focus
DFG: Collaborative Research Centres
For doctoral students, postdocs and senior scientists // To concentrate scientific research competence in particularly innovative fields and create internationally visible research priorities at universities, to promote interdisciplinary cooperation, to advance young researchers
DFG: Emmy Noether Programme
For excellent young researchers from all disciplines with postdoctoral experience of at least two years and up to a maximum of four years (medical researchers: up to six years) and substantial international research experience // To enable highly qualifi ed young researchers to become eligible for a university career, To recruit outstanding young postdocs working abroad to come/return to Germany
DFG: Graduate Schools
For outstanding doctoral students and postdoctoral students // Training of outstanding doctoral students within an excellent research environment (broad scientific area, international visibility of the institution, opportunity for the doctoral and postdoctoral student to be active members of their academic and social communities)
DFG: Research Training Groups
For doctoral students and also postdocs from Germany and abroad // To support young researchers in their pursuit of a doctorate within a coordinated research programme and to promote their early scientific independence, to recruit outstanding international doctoral students
DFG: Temporary Position for Principal Investigators
For researchers who have completed their academic training (holding a doctorate) // To give researchers (especially young ones) the opportunity to carry out a research project independently in the research environment in Germany best suited to conducting this project
Visit: www.dfg.de
Fraunhofer: Fellowship Programme PROF.x²
Applicable for hosting senior researchers from the US, China or Japan at Fraunhofer Institutes in Germany, or for delegating senior Fraunhofer researchers to American or Asian research institutes // Mutually beneficial cooperation, conduct scientific research that contributes to the development of innovative products and applications
Fraunhofer: "Fraunhofer Attract” - Head of Research Group at Fraunhofer Institute
For highly qualified scientists and researchers with a promising idea to be developed for industrial application // To allow cutting-edge researchers to establish their own work groups and transform an idea into an innovation
Visit: www.fhg.de
Helmholtz: Helmholtz-(University)Young Investigators Groups
For top researchers from domestic or international institutions with proven research experience abroad, 2 to 6 years after doctorate who would like to participate in a Helmholtz programme // To provide the best foreign and domestic junior researchers with excellent working conditions, to grant independence early on with secure career prospects
Visit: http://www.helmholtz.de/en/
Humboldt: Humboldt Research Fellowship for postdoctoral researchers
For highly qualified scholars and scientists from abroad who completed their doctorates less than four years ago // To carry out a research stay at a scientifi c host institution in Germany; all countries, all disciplines
Humboldt: Sofja Kovalevskaja Award
For successful top-rank junior researchers from abroad who completed their doctorates with distinction less than six years ago // To establish their own work groups and spend fi ve years working on a high-profile, innovative research project of their choice at research institutions in Germany
Visit: www.humboldt-foundation.de
Max Planck: Grants for Advanced Postdoctoral Training
For outstanding postdocs from Germany and abroad who have been working in science and research for at least 2 years or hold a comparable qualification // To gain additional knowledge and capabilities at a Max Planck Institute within the scope of the existing professional qualification
Max Planck: Head of an Independent Junior Research Group at Max Planck Institutes
For young, highly qualified scientists and researchers // To qualify scientists for leading positions in the higher education and scientific research sectors through early independent work; selection follows an international job announcement; freedom in the research field
Visit: www.mpg.de
Search on this website for Postdoc Positions or positions in research projects
Visiting Professorships, Research Fellowships and Awards
DAAD: Research Stays, Re-invitations
For foreign university teachers, academics, scientists, former holders of DAAD one-year scholarships // To carry out a research or study project at a German university or non-university research institute
visit: http://www.daad.org/?p=50412
DFG: Clusters of Excellence
For doctoral students, postdocs and senior scientists // Internationally visible and competitive large research center, significant contribution to the research profile of the university, local concentration of excellent research competence with thematic focus
DFG: Collaborative Research Centres
For doctoral students, postdocs and senior scientists // To concentrate scientific research competence in particularly innovative fields and create internationally visible research priorities at universities, to promote interdisciplinary cooperation, to advance young researchers
DFG: Heisenberg Programme - Fellowship
For outstanding researchers who qualify for a professorship by holding a habilitation or equivalent // To provide excellent researchers with the opportunity to prepare for a leading position in science and research and to use the time to work on an advanced research topic
DFG: Heisenberg Programme - Professorship
For outstanding researchers who qualify for a professorship by holding a habilitation or equivalent // To offer excellent researchers the reliable prospect of a professorship, candidates for a Heisenberg Professorship need to find a German university which establishes a new professorship and will take over after the DFG funding expires
DFG: Mercator Visiting Professorships
For highly qualified researchers from abroad, the visit should focus on joint cooperative projects by the guest and host // To strengthen research and research-oriented teaching at German universities
DFG: Temporary Position for Principal Investigators
For researchers who have completed their academic training (holding a doctorate) // To give researchers (especially young ones) the opportunity to carry out a research project independently in the research environment in Germany best suited to conducting this project
Visit: www.dfg.de
Fraunhofer: Fraunhofer Bessel Research Award
For internationally recognised, outstanding scientists from all non-European countries, who completed their doctorates less than twelve years ago, working in research areas which match the research fields of the hosting Fraunhofer Institute // Award winners will be invited to spend up to 12 months in Germany, working closely with a partner at one of the Fraunhofer Institutes
Fraunhofer: "Fraunhofer Attract” - Head of Research Group at Fraunhofer Institute
For highly qualified scientists and researchers with a promising idea to be developed for industrial application // To allow cutting-edge researchers to establish their own work groups and transform an idea into an innovation
Visit: www.fhg.de
Humboldt: Alexander von Humboldt Professorship
For academics of all disciplines from abroad, who are internationally recognised as leaders in their field // The professorships give universities – also in cooperation with non-university research institutions – in Germany the opportunity to establish or upgrade internationally visible research focus areas, thus raising their profile.
Humboldt: Humboldt Research Award
For eminent foreign researchers at the peak of their academic careers and in leading positions, such as full professors or directors of institutes // Award winners are invited to spend a period of up to one year cooperating on a longterm research project with specialist colleagues at a research institution in Germany
Humboldt: Humboldt Research Fellowship for experienced researchers
For highly qualified scholars and scientists from abroad who completed their doctorates less than twelve years ago // To carry out a research stay at a scientific host institution in Germany; all countries, all disciplines
Humboldt: Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award
For internationally renowned scientists and scholars from abroad who completed their doctorates less than twelve years ago // Award winners are honoured for their outstanding research record and invited to spend a period of up to one year cooperating on a long-term research project with specialist colleagues at a research institution in Germany
Visit: www.humboldt-foundation.de
Leibniz Association: Foreign Visiting Scientists at Leibniz Institutes
For highly qualified foreign scientists // Possibility to follow or complete research in the scientific context of a Leibniz Institute; to promote networking; to strengthen cooperation with international partners for the Leibniz Institutes
Visit: www.wgl.de
Max Planck: Foreign Visiting Scientists at Max Planck Institutes
For highly qualified foreign scientists // To enable independent research at a Max Planck Institute; to promote networking; to strengthen cooperation with international partners
