International Research Funding

The following selection is based on inquiries received by the EU Office, but we also support other international research funding programs. Please reach out and connect!

Selected International Funding Programmes

Human Frontier Science Program

International collaboration in basic research for the elucidation of the sophisticated and complex mechanisms of living organisms.

Research Grants for all career stages: 3 years support for 2 – 4 member teams of independent researchers at any stage of their careers. Awards fixed dependent upon team size.
Early Career" Research Grants: same conditions as above, but dedicated budget for young researcher teams in a position to initiate and direct their own independent lines of research.
Long-Term Fellowships Postdoctoral Fellowships (LTF) for PhD with biological background;
Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships (CDF) for PhD from a non-biological discipline, who have not worked in life sciences before.

EMBO Fellowships and Grants

Postdoctoral Fellowships: EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships support scientists to carry out research for a period of up to two years. International mobility is a key requirement. Next Deadline: 4th Friday of January, 14:00 CEST

Scientific Exchange Grants (formerly called EMBO Short-Term Fellowships): support new, international collaborations, enabling the transfer of expertise unavailable in the applicant’s laboratory. The grants fund research visits of up to three months. Applications accepted throughout the year

Young Investigator Programme: The EMBO Young Investigator Programme supports group leaders in the early stages of setting up their independent laboratories for a period of four years. Networking is a key aspect of the programme. Application deadline: 1st April

Installation Grants: EMBO Installation Grants fund group leaders in the early stages of setting up their independent laboratories in Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal or Turkey for three to five years. Networking is a key aspect of the programme. Application deadline: 15 April

Global Investigator Network: The EMBO Global Investigator Network supports scientists in the early stages of setting up their independent laboratories in Chile, India, Singapore or Taiwan for a period of four years. It provides funding for networking, collaboration and training activities. Application deadline is 2 May, 09:00 AM (CEST)

Fulbright Grants & Fellowships

The American-German Fulbright Commission (Fulbright Germany) facilitates academic exchange between the United States and Germany. Fulbright Germany awards up to 700 scholarships annually for study, research, teaching and continuing education stays in the United States and Germany, thereby actively promoting transatlantic dialogue.

Doctoral Programme: 4 to 6-month research stays in the USA starting on 1 August 2027. The application deadline will be announced in March 2026.

Research & Teaching: 3 to 9 months at a US university or research institution. Application deadlines: 1 October + 1 May.

Support and consultancy is offered by the International Office (F. Schenk, Dr. B. Gehring)

JSPS - Research Cooperation with Japan

I. Programs for PhD and Postdoctoral Fellows

II. Programs for Semior Scientists

III. Bilateral Programs

IV. Internationale Kooperationen auf Institutsebene

Please note: JSPS Programmes are implemented in cooperation with DAAD and DFG; consultancy for DAAD is offered by the International Office (F. Schenk, Dr. B. Gehring); for DFG by AF2 (Dr. C. Marchetti).

International Research Funding

Selected International Funding Programmes

Human Frontier Science Program

EMBO Fellowships and Grants

Fulbright Grants & Fellowships

Looking for support?

Selected German funding lines with international participation