The Eric Kandel Young Neuroscientists Prize recognises the work of outstanding young scientists in the field of neuroscience and helps advance their careers as researchers. The Eric Kandel Young Neuroscientists Prize, named after American neuroscientist and Nobel laureate Prof. Eric Kandel, was established in 2009 in order to recognise the work of outstanding young scientists in any field of neuroscience and to help advance their careers as researchers. The prize is awarded every two years by the Hertie Foundation in conjunction with FENS since 2010, being under the patronage of the German Ministry for Education and Research.

Deadline: July 24, 2025

Addressees: European neuroscientists under the age of 40

The Brain Prize is an international award that recognises and celebrates highly original and groundbreaking advances in any area of brain research, from basic neuroscience to applied clinical research. The window for nomination is open from May 1 to September 1 every year.

Deadline: September 1, 2025

Second deadline: September 1, 2026

Addressees: Neuroscientists still actively engaged in research

With its Plus 3 funding programme, the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation aims to support outstanding junior group leaders in Germany conducting basic research in biology, chemistry, and medicine.

Deadline: September 15, 2025

Addressees: Junior group leaders in Germany

The Rise up! programme is aimed at outstanding and exceptionally creative basic scientists in biology, chemistry, and medicine who have accepted their first appointment to an associate professorship at a German university. With Rise up!, they can bring forward an especially innovative research programme that may have a lasting impact on their field.

Deadline: September 15, 2025

Addressees: Scientists with accepted associate (W2) professorship at a German university

Wübben Stif­tung Wis­sen­schaft’s Tenure Track Pro­fes­sor­ship program sup­ports German uni­ver­si­ties in ap­poin­ting and on­boar­ding in­ter­na­tio­nal talents for tenure track po­si­ti­ons by funding the first years of the pro­fes­sor­ship.

Deadline: September 30, 2025

Addressees: out­stan­ding re­se­ar­chers from abroad

FENS and IBRO-PERC are offering funding of up to EUR 4.000 each to early career researchers interested in participating in cross-border laboratory visits. FENS and the IBRO Pan-Europe Regional Committee (IBRO-PERC) are dedicated to supporting early career researchers and promoting intra-European mobility. The FENS/IBRO-PERC Exchange Fellowships Programme is designed to advance neuroscience research and training in Europe by enabling master or PhD students and early postdoctoral fellows to broaden their methodological expertise through targeted laboratory visits.

Deadline: October 15, 2025

Addressees: Master or PhD students, or early postdoctoral fellows

The "Lower Saxony Professorship" addresses exceptional academics who are professionally excellent and have several years of (management) experience in the science system. They are expected to have the capacity to shape the profile and structure of their university location and impact the research region at large.

Deadline: December 31, 2025

Second deadline: December 31, 2026

Addressees: Scientists with a doctorate

The Walter Benjamin Programme enables researchers in the postdoctoral training phase to independently conduct their own research project at a location of their choice for up to two years. The project can be carried out at a research institution in Germany or abroad, with the host institution providing support for the project.

Deadline: December 31, 2025

Second deadline: December 31, 2026

Addressees: Early-career postdocs

The Emmy Noether Programme gives exceptionally qualified early career researchers the chance to qualify for the post of professor at a university by leading an independent junior research group for a period of six years.

Deadline: December 31, 2025

Second deadline: December 31, 2026

Addressees: Early-career researchers up to 4 years after completion of their doctorate

The Heisenberg Programme is directed primarily at those researchers who have qualified for professorship via the Emmy Noether Programme, leadership of a junior research group, DFG project staff positions, private-sector research or mid-level faculty positions. The target group also includes junior professors who have received positive evaluations, those who have achieved their habilitation or an equivalent qualification, and German researchers returning from abroad, as well as appropriately qualified foreign researchers (who have not yet achieved a full professorship) looking to pursue careers in Germany.

Deadline: December 31, 2025

Second deadline: December 31, 2026

Addressees: Researchers in all disciplines who have qualified for a professorship

Interdisciplinary research is often particularly challenging and requires special efforts at newly emerging interfaces. In order to create an additional opportunity for interdisciplinary research and to make the achievements of scientists who conduct research at scientific boundaries more visible, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) launches an open call under the Reinhart Koselleck programme. The aim is to enable outstanding researchers with a proven scientific track record to pursue exceptionally interdisciplinary and innovative projects.

Deadline: December 31, 2025

Second deadline: December 31, 2026

Addressees: Scientists with or eligible for a professorship

In principle, researchers at a German institution in Germany and abroad can always submit a research project proposal (usually Individual Research Grants Programme ) with international participation if the appropriate co-financing is available.

Deadline: December 31, 2025

Second deadline: December 31, 2026

Addressees: Scientists with a doctorate