Funding from foundations
Foundations have a firm place in science funding in Germany and support not only person-oriented funding, but also research projects and collaborative research. Foundations are interesting sponsors for unusual research projects, as they often fund topics outside the mainstream. In order to find the right sponsor for your field among the plethora of foundations, a targeted search via the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft or a foundation search at the Bundesverband Deutscher Stiftungen is recommended.
We are happy to help you identify possible sponsors for your project and support you in the application process.
The House of Young Talents can provide you with information and advice on scholarships and grants for students and doctoral candidates.
Selection of the most important foundations
With the "Plus 3" perspectives program, junior research group leaders in medicine, biology and chemistry can apply for funding for their independent research group of €200,000 to €300,000 per year for up to three years to continue their research program. The funding includes the researcher's own position as well as personnel funds for e.g. a postdoctoral researcher and/or two doctoral students, a TA as well as material and travel funds.
With the "Exploration Grants", junior research group leaders can raise flexible funds for material, consumables and personnel funds to test new ideas.
The Fritz Thyssen Foundation in the funding areas of History, Language & Culture, Image and Imagery, State, Economy & Society, International Relations and Medicine and Natural Sciences, applications can be submitted for project funding, research grants for postdoctoral researchers and for small scientific conferences.
The focus of the funding is on the historical humanities, in particular on supporting research projects from the following disciplines: Archaeology, Historical Sciences, Historical Islamic Studies, Art History, Legal History, Prehistory and Early History and History of Science. In addition to funding research projects, doctoral scholarships are also awarded.
The Hans Böckler Foundation is the co-determination, research and study funding organization of the DGB. Research projects, junior research groups and doctoral programs can be applied for in the six social science and socio-political research areas. The foundation also awards study and doctoral scholarships.
The Heinrich Hertz Foundation promotes scientific exchange by awarding scholarships for international research stays. Heinrich Hertz scholarships are awarded to scientists working in NRW who are planning a research project abroad and to researchers from abroad who are planning a research project in NRW.
The Robert Bosch Stiftung is active in the areas of health, international understanding, society, education, culture and science. It offers numerous scholarship programs to promote the exchange, training and further education of young international leaders. The scholarships are only awarded within the framework of calls for applications.
The Academies' Program of the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities serves long-term basic research in the humanities. The central task of the Academies' Program, as confirmed by the German Council of Science and Humanities, is to develop, preserve and visualize our cultural heritage. In order to be accepted into the Academies' Program, research projects must meet the following criteria: supra-regional national significance, high scientific relevance, a duration of between 12 and 25 years and a minimum financial volume of 120,000 euros per year.
The Volkswagen Foundation promotes science and technology in research and teaching. In addition to person-oriented research projects, international and interdisciplinary research alliances are also supported. The VW Foundation's funding portfolio is very extensive. In addition to support programs for young scientists, there are also funding programs that promote original and risky research ideas.
