The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research ... · The DFG is an independent organisation in the form of an association of private law Germany’s central, self-governing

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

(DFG, German Research Foundation):Research funding programs and international collaboration

The DFG is

an independent organisation in the form of an

association of private law

Germany’s central, self-governing research funding

organisation

Member institutions include

German universities (69)

non-university research institutions (16)

German academies of sciences and humanities (8)

scientific associations (3)

Introducing the DFGOrganisational structure

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The DFG’s goals are to

serve all branches of science and the humanities by funding

research projects and facilitating cooperation among researchers

support the education and advancement of young scientific

researchers

promote equality between men and women

advise parliaments and public authorities on scientific matters

foster relations between research and the private sector and

between scientists and academics at home and abroad

support the transfer of knowledge between science and industry

Introducing the DFGMission statement

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The DFG’s 2015 budget totalled approx. €2.99 billion

The DFG is funded by*

the German federal government (67,5%)

the German states (32.4%)

private sources (0.1%)

* (Figures refer to revenues in 2015)

Project funding by DFG goes

~90% to universities

~10% to extra-university institutions

Funding in 2015,

by scientific disciplines

Introducing the DFGFunds and resources

Humanities and Social Sciences€345.1 million

(16.7%)

Life Sciences€796.0 million

(38.5%)

Natural Sciences€482.6 million

(23.3%)

Engineering Sciences€443.7 million

(21.5%)

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International scientific cooperation

DFG representations abroad

Sao Paulo(Office andLiaison Scientist)

Valdivia(Liaison Scientist)

Poland(Liaison Scientists)

Moscow

New

Delhi

Beijing

TokyoNew York

Washington DC

Brussels(KoWi)

Mexico City(Liaison Scientist)

China

2000

Japan

2009

USA

2002

2007

Russia

2003India

2006

Brazil

2011

Main goals and key responsibilities: Contact point for scientists, research institutions, funding

organisations, embassies and industry

Paving the way for new collaborative research projects in the

field of basic research and providing information, especially on

core research areas, research funding activities and on suitable

partners for research cooperation in each country

Public relations and research marketing

Analysis and assessment of current affairs in academia and

science policy

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International scientific cooperation

The DFG fosters cooperation in all funding programmes

and through specific measures including, e.g.:

Initial funding for bilateral cooperation

Fellowships abroad for postdoctoral researchers

Joint calls for proposals with partner organisations

International Research Training Groups

International scientific events

International modules, such as additional travel expenses,

personnel exchanges, etc., may be applied for in all DFG funding programmes.

There is no quota for cooperation with certain countries. Proposals submitted to DFG for

cooperation with foreign countries must compete among each other by proven excellence.

There are no special funds for proposals for international cooperation. Proposals have to

be characterised by an added value compared to national projects.

DFG Funding Programmes for International Cooperation

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International scientific cooperation

Initial Funding for Bilateral Cooperation

enables initial contacts and enhances cooperation with foreign partners

offers a flexible framework for cooperation, allowing different elements to be

combined (preparatory and cooperative visits, bilateral events such as

workshops, etc.)

Different elements within the above framework can be funded over a period of

one year.

DFG Funding Programmes for International Cooperation

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Research Grants

Enable scientists to carry out a thematically defined research project within a

specific time frame (usually several years)

Are open to researchers from all disciplines at German research institutions

who have completed their scientific training (in most cases by achieving their

doctorates)

Applicants can combine different funding modules they need to complete their

research

International scientific cooperation

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DFG partner organisations in Southeast Asia

Funding principles

The agreements allow the provision of funding for the activities within the funding mechanism for

the Initiation of International Collaboration (mobility and project cooperation; workshops)

For all therein outlined activities the sending organisation will cover return travel costs from the

home country to the first host institute, while domestic transport as well as an adequate living

allowance or accommodation will be provided by the organization of the host country

Thailand: National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT)

Vietnam: National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED)

Indonesia: Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI)

Singapore: National Research Foundation (NRF)*

*An MoU is currently being negotiated

International scientific cooperation

International Research Training Groups (IRTGs)

Purpose: To provide structured doctoral training under ideal

conditions using well-established mentoring and qualification

strategies in an international environment

Eligibility: Research universities together with their foreign

partner universities

Duration: 4.5 years per funding period, maximum of nine years

Particular features: Complementary funding through the foreign

partner organisation

International Research Training Groups (IRTGs)

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Humanities andSocial Sciences

Life Sciences Natural Sciences Engineering Sciences

Canada

USA

China

Japan

Netherlands

Sweden

France

Great Britain

Russian Federation

15 more countries*

International scientific cooperation

International Research Training Groups (IRTGs)

*Argentina, Australia, Brasil, Denmark, Estonia, India, Israel,Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Austria, Poland, Spain, South Korea and Czech Republic

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Expected benefits

higher scientific innovation potential

broader theoretical and methodological

training of doctoral candidates

development of common standards for

“design” of the doctorate

symmetric approach to exchange

knowledge and researchers between

international institutions

no brain drain

new generation of international

scientists!

DFG funded International Research Training Groups in:

International scientific cooperation

Collaborative Research Centres (CRC)

Purpose: To create a core research focus at a university

through the long-term promotion of interdisciplinary

cooperation within the framework of a coordinated programme

Eligibility: Research universities

Duration: Up to 12 years, with each funding period encom-

passing four years

Particular features: CRC/Transregios are supported by

multiple (usually up to three) university locations

Collaborative Research Centres (CRC)

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International scientific cooperation

CRC 564:

“Sustainable Land Use and Rural Development in Mountainous Regions of Southeast Asia”

2000-2012, concluded in June 2014

German institutions

Hohenheim University

Collaborative Research Centres/Transregio

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Partners in Vietnam Partners in Thailand

Hanoi University of Agriculture Chiang Mai University

Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry Kasetart University

National Institute of Animal Husbandry Maejo University

Silpakorn University

Thank you for your attention!

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