post-doc funding opportunities in/for Germany

post-doc funding opportunities in/for Germany

This guide summarizes major funding opportunities for postdoctoral researchers pursuing research in or from Germany. It indicates whether funding includes employment in Germany, supports mobility abroad, or allows the establishment of independent research leadership.

German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG)

Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung (AvH)

  • Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship [Outgoing]: The Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship funds German postdocs and experienced researchers to conduct self-directed research abroad with a host from the Humboldt Network, for 6-24 months depending on career stage; it is open to all disciplines and provides a monthly fellowship plus travel, relocation and family allowances to support international collaboration and career development. https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/en/apply/sponsorship-programmes/feodor-lynen-research-fellowship#h6580
  • Humboldt Research Fellowship [Incoming]: The Humboldt Research Fellowship enables highly qualified scholars from outside Germany to carry out independent research at a German institution. For post-doctoral applicants, it offers 6-24 months of funding, and for more advanced researchers 6-18 months, plus allowances for travel, family allowances and health insurance. Applicants choose their own research topic and host institution, must submit a short proposal and publication record, and can begin flexibly once accepted. Good for establishing or extending a research stay at a German institution. https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/en/apply/sponsorship-programmes/humboldt-research-fellowship

German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, DAAD)

  • PRIME Programme (Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility Experience) [Outgoing]: Supports international mobility in the postdoctoral phase through fixed-term positions at German universities. This includes a 12-month posting abroad and a six-month integration phase at a German university. Fellows gain an important qualification step with their independent research project and the stay abroad for their career in academia. PRIME is targeted at postdoctoral researchers at German universities. However, applicants who are currently living abroad may apply. A strong previous connection to a German research institution or a degree from a German university is recommended for a successful application. https://www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/scholarships/daad-funding-programmes/prime/  
  • Bilateral Exchange of Academics [Incoming]: To improve international relations and bilateral research cooperations between German and foreign universities, the DAAD funds research exchanges between scholars in Germany and partner countries, aiming for comparable mobility in both directions. It is for university teachers and experienced researchers, usually with a PhD, and supports research stays for 14 days to three months. It provides a monthly stipend of €2.000-2.150, requires health insurance, and selects applicants based on academic record and a convincing research plan. https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/?detail=50015508
  • Research Grants for Postdocs: Short-Term Grants [Outgoing]: The programme aims to enable researchers to pursue an independent research project abroad, thereby achieving a significant qualification step toward a future career in academia, business or the cultural sector. Eligible applicants must hold a doctorate with excellent results (at least magna cum laude or equivalent). Funding supports self-directed research stays in any discipline at a host institution abroad; degree-seeking projects or participation in courses/workshops are explicitly excluded. The grant covers a three- to six-month stay abroad and is not renewable.  https://www2.daad.de/ausland/studieren/stipendium/de/70-stipendien-finden-und-bewerben/?detail=57243862
  • Project-Related Personal Exchange (PPP) [Outgoing]: Through its PPP programmes the DAAD supports joint bi-national research projects of a high academic standard in order to strengthen academic relations between a German institution and an institution abroad and to promote cooperative research activities. The provided project funding is intended to cover mobility costs for German participants arising from the research project, and in particular to enable young academics involved in the project to conduct a research stay at the partner institution abroad, thereby supporting them in their international training. https://www.daad.de/de/infos-services-fuer-hochschulen/weiterfuehrende-infos-zu-daad-foerderprogrammen/ppp/

Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships

ERC Starting Grant

  • The ERC Starting Grant supports outstanding early-career researchers 2-7 years post-PhD who seek to establish independent research groups in Europe; open to all disciplines, it funds ambitious projects hosted by a European institution for up to five years with a budget of up to €1.5 million (more in special cases), requiring the Principal Investigator to devote at least 50 % of their working time to the ERC project. https://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant/starting-grant

Daimler Benz Scholarship Program of the Daimler and Benz Foundation for the Promotion of Postdocs and Junior Professors

  • Each year, the Foundation awards a total of twelve scholarships to postdoc researchers in a position of leadership and to junior professors. The funding, which amounts to €50,000 per scholarship for a period of two years, can be used at their own discretion for research trips, participation in conferences, organization of their own conferences, temporary involvement of academic assistants, for computers, laboratory equipment, and special chemicals – but not for covering their own living expenses. https://www.daimler-benz-stiftung.de/cms/de/foerdern/stipendienprogramm/stipendienprogramm.html

Fulbright Visiting Scholarships

Fritz Thyssen Stiftung