Heisenberg Programme (mid-career researchers in Germany)

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 looking to pursue careers in Germany.

Four types of funding are available within the Heisenberg Programme:

  • Heisenberg position
  • Heisenberg temporary substitute position for clinicians
  • Heisenberg professorship
  • Heisenberg fellowship

Once you have been accepted to the Heisenberg Programme, you can select between the four funding types or combine them during the five-year funding period.

The DFG would like to point out that during the review process, individual proposals must speak for themselves. Reference letters from third parties are not encouraged and, to ensure the equal treatment of all applicants, are not forwarded to reviewers or decision-making committees.

Information about the Programme

Purpose

To enable outstanding researchers who meet all the requirements for appointment to a long-term professorship to prepare for a senior academic role while continuing their research work

Eligibility Requirements

Researchers in all disciplines who have qualified for a professorship by completing the habilitation or an equivalent qualification and who have a track record of outstanding research work

Proposal Requirements

High scientific quality and originality of the research project at international level and suitability for further qualification as a university teacher

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 from other research funding organisations or research institutions, 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, and German researchers returning from abroad, as well as appropriately qualified foreign researchers looking to pursue careers in Germany.

Type and Extent of Funding

The Heisenberg fellowship and Heisenberg professorship modules will no longer be available after 31 December 2017. Please refer to the module guidelines for information about the transition.

Four different types of funding are available within the Heisenberg Programme: Heisenberg position, Heisenberg temporary substitute position for clinicians, Heisenberg professorship and Heisenberg fellowship.

Once you have been accepted to the Heisenberg Programme, you can select from the funding types and/or combine them during the five-year funding period.

For projects based in Germany, you can also apply for a research grant.

Funding Duration

Up to 5 years

Forms and Guidelines

Proposal Deadlines

Proposals may be submitted at any time.

Contact

Additional information on scientific matters may be obtained by contacting the relevant programme division under

Questions on policies and procedures may be addressed to:

During Your Fellowship
(Contact Persons at the Fellowship Office)

The Fellowship Office is available to help you answer any questions that arise during your fellowship, particularly those relating to taxation and social security benefits. You can contact us in the following ways:

Letter of DFG project code  / Contacts

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