Are you looking for funding to realise your doctoral project? Do your previous study and examination achievements demonstrate a special ability with regard to academic work? Is your work making a significant contribution to research? Then become a doctoral scholarship holder of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom! We support around 150 doctoral students from all disciplines annually who are working on a convincing and innovative research project and have been admitted to a doctoral programme at a university.

Deadline: April 30, 2026

Second deadline: October 31, 2026

Addressees: Prospective PhD students at German universities

Mit unserem Wissenschaftspreis im Bereich der Lebenswissenschaften, dem „Life Sciences Bridge Award“, fördern wir begabte Nachwuchswissenschaftlerinnen und Nachwuchswissenschaftler, um ihnen ein selbstständiges wissenschaftliches Arbeiten zu ermöglichen.

Deadline: April 30, 2026

Addressees: Promovierte Wissenschaftler:innen, die noch keine unbefristete Professur innehaben

Die Förderrichtlinie zielt darauf ab, die Neu- und Weiterentwicklung grundlegender KI-Methoden und -Modelle entscheidend voranzubringen. Dabei sollen sowohl neue KI-Methoden – auch durch die Kombination bestehender KI-Methoden mit denen des maschinellen Lernens – entwickelt als auch bestehende Methoden auf Grundlagenebene weiter erforscht werden. Übergreifende Ziele sind dabei, die Leistungsfähigkeit und das grundlegende Verständnis von KI-Modellen des maschinellen Lernens zu verbessern. Zu den Zielen gehört auch, diese Modelle mit anderen, etablierten KI-Methoden zu erweitern. Die Ergebnisse sollen dazu beitragen, die Robustheit und Vertrauenswürdigkeit der Modelle und Systeme zu steigern. Das BMFTR wird im Rahmen der Bekanntmachung ausgewählte Projekte mit bis zu 2 Millionen Euro (zuzüglich Projektpauschale) über einen Zeitraum von in der Regel drei Jahren fördern. In dieser Summe sind Mittel für Mitarbeitende, wissenschaftliche Hilfskräfte, Reisen, Anschaffungen und sonstige Ausgaben beziehungsweise Kosten enthalten.

Deadline: April 30, 2026

Addressees: Forschungseinrichtungen, Institutionen und Unternehmen in Deutschland

The Simons Foundation is now accepting applications for the next class of Pivot Fellows, offering a unique opportunity for researchers ready to bring their expertise to a new field in mathematics or the natural sciences. Fellows will receive support for one year of mentored training in their new discipline, followed by the opportunity to apply for up to five years of research funding in their new field. The fellowships provide salary support and funding for research, travel and professional development. In addition, mentors will receive a $50,000 research fund. At the end of the fellowship year, fellows may be invited to apply for a research award in the new field for up to $1.5 million — plus indirect costs — over five years.

Deadline: May 14, 2026

Addressees: Researchers with a PhD (or equivalent) in the natural sciences and a faculty position

The "Lower Saxony Impulse Professorship" addresses academics approaching the end of their early career phase up to a maximum of ten years after completing their doctorate. It is intended to support universities in the state of Lower Saxony in their efforts to attract and retain early career researchers – thereby consolidating Lower Saxony as a science location.
The program addresses academics approaching the end of the early career phase up to a maximum of ten years after completing their doctorate. The funding is intended to increase their promising career potential in terms of disciplinary expertise as well as their capacity to shape research profiles and structures. In this light, it seeks to boost their potential for future leadership roles ("rising stars").

Deadline: June 1, 2026

Addressees: Academics whose doctorate was awarded up to 10 years ago

Obschon es mittlerweile an vielen Orten Programme gibt, die dem Nachwuchs eine solche Ausbildung während der Facharztweiterbildung bieten, bleibt die Attraktivität für den Berufsweg als Clinician Scientist beschränkt, weil geeignete Anschlusspositionen nach Ablauf der Clinician-Scientist-Programme fehlen.

Als einen Lösungsansatz schreibt die Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung als Modell jährlich drei Else Kröner Clinician Scientist Professuren aus. Mit den Professuren soll Ärztinnen und Ärzten mit herausragenden Leistungen sowohl in Patientenversorgung als auch Forschung eine langfristige Perspektive gegeben werden, den Berufsweg des Clinician Scientist weiterzugehen und je die Hälfte ihrer Arbeitszeit für Forschung mit Lehre und Patientenversorgung einzusetzen. Die Finanzierung der Professur ist auf maximal 10 Jahre angelegt. Nach einer ersten Förderperiode von fünf Jahren und unter der Bedingung einer positiven Zwischenevaluation ist eine einmalige Verlängerung um weitere fünf Jahre möglich. Die Clinician Scientist Professur ist mit insgesamt bis zu 1,1 Mio. € dotiert. Die Mittel dienen der Finanzierung der Personalkosten des Forschungsanteils des Stelleninhabers, die in der Höhe von 50% des Gehalts einer W3-Professur liegen sollten. Die restlichen Mittel sind über die Laufzeit der Professur zu verteilen und können frei vom Stelleninhaber für Forschungszwecke verwendet werden.

Deadline: June 1, 2026

Addressees: Ärzt:innen mit herausragenden Leistungen sowohl in Patientenversorgung als auch Forschung

AI methods have become established as key tools across a wide range of research areas and are now increasingly an integral part of the processes of knowledge acquisition in science. Research in the field of AI methods is essential in this context and includes the development and further advancement of such methods as well as their analysis and evaluation. As it continues to pursue its strategic AI funding initiative, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) therefore aims to provide targeted support for researchers in early career phases in this field. The objective of this call is to attract the next generation of highly qualified researchers in AI method development by offering early-career opportunities involving a high degree of independence. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to establish and lead an Emmy Noether Group for a period of up to six years, enabling them to refine their research profile, enhance their international visibility and become eligible for a professorship.

Deadline: June 10, 2026

Addressees: Researchers up to 4 years after their PhD

For decades now, advances in medical research in the USA have helped to find cures for diseases and save lives all around the world. Restrictions on scientific freedom and cuts to the funding for research areas deemed undesirable are increasingly impacting the work of some scientists living and researching in the USA, however. With the Else Kröner Excellence Grants, the Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung (EKFS) aims to enable outstanding scientists (m/f/d) to successfully continue their medical research in Germany. Medical faculties and universities wishing to host a US-based scientist at their research facility in Germany can apply with the scientist to the EKFS for funding. In 2026, the foundation has once again earmarked a total of €10 million for this initiative.

Deadline: June 15, 2026

Addressees: German medical faculties and universities wishing to host a US-based scientist

The scope of this topic is to support the excellence and attractiveness of the EBRAINS Research Infrastructure by operating existing, improved and new services, advancing scientific and technological discoveries in neurosciences, brain medicine and brain-inspired cognitive technologies, and attracting a wide community of users, including industrial users.

Deadline: June 16, 2026

Addressees: Scientists in the EU

Are you an established, leading principal investigator who wants long-term funding to pursue a ground-breaking, ambitious project? The ERC Advanced Grant could be for you.

Deadline: August 27, 2026

Addressees: Principal Investigators

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, 2026

Second deadline: September 1, 2027

Addressees: Neuroscientists still actively engaged in research

The objective of PFs is to support researchers’ careers and foster excellence in research. The Postdoctoral Fellowships action targets researchers holding a PhD who wish to carry out their research activities abroad, acquire new skills and develop their careers. PFs help researchers gain experience in other countries, disciplines and non-academic sectors.

Deadline: September 9, 2026

Addressees: Researchers with a PhD and maximum eight years experience in research

Seit 2018 vergibt die Hans-Böckler-Stiftung den Maria-Weber-Grant. Zielgruppe sind herausragende Wissenschaftler*innen aus allen Fachgebieten. Die Bewerber*innen können für bis zu 12 Monate eine Vertretung beantragen, die Teile der Aufgaben in der Lehre übernimmt, um sich so Freiräume für ihre Forschung zu verschaffen. Für das Teaching buyout werden Mittel zur Bezahlung der Teilvertretung von bis zu 40.000€ (pauschal 20.000€ pro Semester) gewährt.

Deadline: September 15, 2026

Second deadline: September 15, 2027

Addressees: Juniorprofessor*innen und Habilitanden deutscher Universitäten

Each year, the Foundation awards twelve scholarships (two of them in cooperation with the Reinhard Frank-Foundation) to selected postdoc researchers, junior professors, and heads of junior research groups. The objective is to reinforce the autonomy and creativity of the up-and-coming generation of scientists and to pave the way for the committed researchers’ careers during their productive postdoc phase. The funding amounts to €40,000 per scholarship for a period of two years and can be used for various purposes, for example to finance scientific assistants, technical equipment, research trips or participation in conferences.

Deadline: October 1, 2026

Second deadline: October 1, 2027

Addressees: Postdocs at German research institutions – especially junior professors and academics in comparable positions

The Priority Programmes aim to give clear impetus to the advancement of science and the humanities through coordinated multi-location funding for important new topics

Deadline: October 15, 2026

Second deadline: October 15, 2027

Addressees: Researchers with a doctorate from all disciplines who work at a research institution in Germany or at a German research institution abroad

Every year, on behalf of the Dana Foundation, FENS offers financial support of up to EUR 1,000 to Brain Awareness Week event organisers in Europe.

Deadline: October 15, 2026

Addressees: Organizers of BAW activities in Europe

The CNV Foundation supports outstanding female scientists in the fields of the experimental natural sciences and basic medical research who are also raising children. It aims to enable them to create the freedom and mobility required to further their scientific careers. The Foundation wishes to help prevent science from losing excellent talent. It is aimed specifically at graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the fields of experimental natural sciences and medicine. The funding amounts to €500 per month for a period of one year.

Deadline: November 30, 2026

Second deadline: November 30, 2027

Addressees: Female PhD students and Postdocs with children

A Research Unit is a close-knit, medium-term collaborative alliance consisting of several outstanding researchers who work together on a joint research project. The project’s thematic focus, duration and – in some cases – funding requirements go well beyond what is possible under individual grants such as research grants or Priority Programmes. Funding for Research Units aims to provide the required personnel and material resources for a medium-term close cooperation, usually designed to last eight years. Research Units often contribute to establishing new research directions. The same quality criteria apply as for research grants. A Research Unit typically comprises fewer than ten projects which are coordinated so as to enable work on a common research topic. The majority of the research projects are to be based at universities.

Deadline: December 31, 2026

Addressees: Researchers in all disciplines at German research institutions who have completed their academic training (as a rule, those holding a doctorate)

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, 2026

Second deadline: December 31, 2027

Addressees: Scientists with a doctorate

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, 2026

Second deadline: December 31, 2027

Addressees: Scientists with or eligible for a professorship

If you already meet all the requirements for appointment to a permanent professorship, you can apply to the Heisenberg Programme. While you prepare for a future senior academic role, the DFG provides funding to enable you to carry on with high-quality research at the institution of your choice and continue building your academic reputation.
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, 2026

Second deadline: December 31, 2027

Addressees: Researchers eligible for a professorship

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, 2026

Second deadline: December 31, 2027

Addressees: Early-career researchers up to 4 years after completion of their 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, 2026

Second deadline: December 31, 2027

Addressees: Early-career postdocs

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, 2026

Second deadline: December 31, 2027

Addressees: Scientists with a doctorate

The NSTC (Taiwan) Research Fellowship supports you as a highly qualified postdoc or experienced researcher from Germany in conducting your research in Taiwan – regardless of discipline. The Taiwanese NSTC funds up to two three- to twelve-month research stays annually; these stays can potentially be extended up to a total duration of three years. Applicants are pre-selected by the Humboldt Foundation. If you would like to apply for a NSTC (Taiwan) Research Fellowship, you will require an academic host who has previously received project funding from the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), Taiwan. Individuals with whom you are in a close personal (marriage or civil partnership) or familial (parents, siblings, children) relationship cannot be selected as hosts.

Deadline: December 31, 2026

Addressees: German researchers up to 12 years after their PhD

Attention, researchers from Germany! The Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship supports you – postdoctoral and experienced researchers – with your research abroad. As president of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, biochemist and Nobel Laureate Feodor Lynen advocated opening up the international Humboldt Network to junior researchers from Germany. The fellowship named after him is granted by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation with funding from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and enables researchers with above-average qualifications from Germany at all career levels and in all disciplines to conduct research with members of the Humboldt Network around the world.

Deadline: December 31, 2026

Addressees: German postdocs