The Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour (SWC) and the Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit (Gatsby Unit) invite expressions of interest from early career researchers who wish to be sponsored for external career fellowships to establish an independent research group in mechanistic theories of neural computation or learning. The successful candidate will establish an independent computational research programme, supported by an external fellowship and hosted jointly at SWC and Gatsby Unit, that develops models and theories linking the activity of neural circuits to the behavioural processes that underpin perception, cognition, planning, motor control and/or learning.

Deadline: July 16, 2026

Addressees: Postdoctoral researchers in neuroscience, physics, mathematics, machine learning, or a related quantitative discipline

Die Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung möchte herausragend in Klinik und Forschung qualifizierte Ärztinnen und Ärzte unterstützen, durch eine zweijährige Freistellung von klinischen Aufgaben ein besonders erfolgversprechendes und für sie profilbildendes medizinisches Forschungsvorhaben signifikant weiterzubringen. Damit soll vor allem Oberärztinnen und Oberärzten die Qualifizierung für die Berufung auf eine Professur im Sinne eines Clinician Scientist ermöglicht werden.
Dazu schreibt die Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung auf dem gesamten Gebiet der Medizin bis zu sechs Individualstipendien mit einer Laufzeit von zwei Jahren für Ärztinnen und Ärzte nach Abschluss der Weiterbildung zum Facharzt aus. Das Stipendium ist mit insgesamt 350.000 € dotiert und dient primär der Finanzierung der eigenen Stelle (Brutto-Jahresgehalt) während der Freistellung.

Deadline: July 31, 2026

Addressees: Forschende Fachärzt:innen unter 40 Jahre alt

With the program "Pioneering Research – Exploring the Unknown Unknown", the Foundation supports groundbreaking and risky research ideas with high scientific relevance. We are looking for basic research projects that are not dedicated to the already 'known unknown', but that strive to explore the 'unknown unknown' thereby holding the potential for major scientific breakthroughs, but also for failure.

Deadline: August 27, 2026

Addressees: Post-doctoral researchers and professors at German universities and research institutes

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

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, 2026

Second deadline: March 15, 2027

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

The programme serves to support students and doctoral candidates from across the globe, who are at risk of being formally or de facto denied educational or other rights in their country of origin, and to provide these students and doctoral candidates with an opportunity to begin or complete a study or research degree at a higher education institution in Germany. Students and doctoral candidates funded under the programme will receive a scholarship for a degree course of personal choice and according to individual qualifications. The scholarship is sufficient to cover the necessary costs incurred during their study or research stay. The long-term goal of the scholarship programme is to enable students and doctoral candidates to complete their higher education studies / respective research project in a secure environment, to be able to contribute towards meaningful political, economic as well as social development in their countries of origin (respectively in Germany or third countries) upon completion of their studies in Germany. The beneficiaries of the scholarship programme will further be qualified through participation in interdisciplinary trainings.

Deadline: September 15, 2026

Second deadline: March 15, 2027

Addressees: Students and doctoral candidates at risk of being denied educational or other rights in their country of origin

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, 2026

Addressees: Outstanding researchers from outside of Germany

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

A joint program by GSO and Klaus Tschira Stiftung offering flexible funding and career development to promote researchers in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geosciences, Mathematics, Neurosciences and Physics. Through the Klaus Tschira Boost Fund, we promote excellent researchers by providing flexible funding for independent, explorative, risky, and interdisciplinary projects; support in building (international) collaborations and networks; targeted workshops, coaching, and peer support on professional and personal development. The Boost Fund gives postdoctoral researchers greater flexibility in shaping their career paths, accelerating their careers, and promoting early independence.

Deadline: October 1, 2026

Addressees: Postdoctoral researchers in Germany without a permantent position/tenure option

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

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, 2026

Addressees: Master or PhD students, or early postdoctoral fellows

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: October 31, 2026

Second deadline: April 30, 2027

Addressees: Prospective PhD students at German universities

Ziel des Programms ist es, hochqualifizierten Nachwuchsforscherinnen und -forschern die Durchführung eines selbstgewählten Forschungsvorhabens im Ausland und damit einen wichtigen Qualifizierungsschritt für die spätere Berufslaufbahn in Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft oder im Kulturbereich in Deutschland zu ermöglichen. Gefördert werden Forschungsaufenthalte (3-6 Monate) in allen Fachrichtungen an einem selbst gewählten Gastinstitut im Ausland. Innerhalb des Förderzeitraums sind Aufenthalte in mehreren Ländern oder in mehreren wissenschaftlichen Einrichtungen innerhalb eines Landes möglich.

Deadline: November 6, 2026

Second deadline: February 26, 2027

Addressees: Postdocs in Deutschland, deren Promotion nicht länger als vier Jahre zurückliegt

Dieses Programm fördert Forschungsaufenthalte im Ausland während einer Promotion in Deutschland. Die Auslandsaufenthalte können zwischen einem und zwölf Monaten betragen. Der Förderzeitraum kann zeitlich aufgeteilt werden und auch in verschiedenen Ländern stattfinden.

Deadline: November 6, 2026

Second deadline: March 15, 2027

Addressees: Doktorand:innen an einer deutschen Hochschule

Dieses Programm fördert Forschungsaufenthalte im Ausland während einer Promotion in Deutschland. Die Auslandsaufenthalte können zwischen einem und zwölf Monaten betragen. Der Förderzeitraum kann zeitlich aufgeteilt werden und auch in verschiedenen Ländern stattfinden.

Deadline: November 16, 2026

Second deadline: March 15, 2027

Addressees: Promovierende in Deutschland

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

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: December 1, 2026

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

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

Ziel des Programms ist die Förderung von Forschungsaufenthalten hochqualifizierter deutscher Nachwuchsforscherinnen und -forscher auf dem Gebiet der Künstlichen Intelligenz sowie allgemein der Informatik und angrenzender Gebiete an einem IFI-Partnerinstitut. Eine Bewerbung ist jederzeit möglich, muss aber spätestens zwei Monate vor dem gewünschten Förderbeginn eingereicht werden. Das Stipendium kann bei erfolgreicher Bewerbung jeweils zum Monatsanfang angetreten werden.

Deadline: December 31, 2026

Second deadline: December 31, 2027

Addressees: Promovierende an einer deutschen Hochschule oder Forschungseinrichtung

Ziel des Programms ist die Förderung von Forschungsaufenthalten hochqualifizierter deutscher Nachwuchsforscherinnen und -forscher auf dem Gebiet der Künstlichen Intelligenz sowie allgemein der Informatik und angrenzender Gebiete an einem Partnerinstitut. Die Stipendien werden in der Regel für die Dauer von 3 bis 24 Monaten vergeben. Eine Bewerbung ist jederzeit möglich, muss aber spätestens zwei Monate vor dem gewünschten Förderbeginn eingereicht werden.

Deadline: December 31, 2026

Second deadline: December 31, 2027

Addressees: Postdocs an einer deutschen Universität oder Forschungsinstitution, deren Promotion nicht länger als vier Jahre zurückliegt

Here, 'momentum' is meant as an impulse to keep something moving or developing dynamically after it has started. In this sense, the initiative addresses academics at an early stage following the appointment to their first tenured professorship. The goal is to open up opportunities in this phase of their career to advance the content and strategic development of their professorship.

Deadline: April 6, 2027

Second deadline: April 4, 2028

Addressees: Professors three to five years after taking up their first tenured professorship at a university

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, 2027

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