# ANR-DFG French-German Collaboration for Joint Projects in Natural, Life and Engineering Sciences (NLE)

**Funder:** DFG
**Duration:** Up to 36 months
**Consortium:** Required — French and German project elements required; commercial companies, industrial technical centres excluded
**Application:** 2-stage: Step 1 prepare project description using template; Step 2 submit to DFG via elan portal (and separately to ANR)
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** DE, FR
**Official call:** https://www.dfg.de/en/research-funding/funding-opportunities/countries-regions/fr-anr-nle
**Last verified:** 1 July 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Joint Franco-German research grants under the Lead Agency Procedure (ANR leads review). German applicants must be eligible under DFG Research Grants Programme (DFG form 50.01); up to 4 applicants on German side. Commercial companies and industrial/technological centres are excluded. No formal DFG funding limit; amounts need not match ANR side.

## Summary

The ANR-DFG French-German Collaboration funds joint research projects in natural, life and engineering sciences for up to 36 months, requiring at least one German and one French partner. Projects are submitted jointly to both the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR). This annual call excludes space technology, nuclear research and defence applications.

## Who should apply

- Researchers based at universities or eligible German research institutions
- French researchers at eligible ANR host institutions
- Teams proposing genuinely collaborative projects across natural, life or engineering sciences
- Non-university German institution members must confirm Kooperationspflicht (cooperation agreement) with a German university

## Key dates

- elan account registration and update deadline: 7 January 2026
- Full submission deadline not yet published; check DFG and ANR portals
- Up to 36-month project duration

## Tips for applicants

- Submit proposals simultaneously to both the DFG elan portal and ANR; misaligned submission timelines or differing budgets across portals risk rejection.
- Ensure your German institution meets DFG Sachbeihilfe (Research Grants) eligibility upfront, non-university members need explicit Kooperationspflicht documentation with a university co-host.
- The call excludes space technology, nuclear research and defence; frame even dual-use or fundamental work in civil/academic terms to avoid desk rejection.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the maximum project duration for ANR-DFG French-German Collaboration?

Projects may run for up to 36 months.

### Who is eligible to apply to ANR-DFG French-German Collaboration?

Researchers from German universities or eligible research institutions (meeting DFG Sachbeihilfe criteria) and French institutions eligible under ANR rules; non-university German applicants must have a Kooperationspflicht with a German university.

### Do I have to submit my proposal to both DFG and ANR?

Yes, proposals must be submitted jointly to both the DFG elan portal and ANR.

### When is the full submission deadline for ANR-DFG 2026?

The full submission deadline has not yet been announced; the elan registration deadline is 7 January 2026. Check the DFG and ANR websites for the complete submission deadline.

### What research areas are excluded from ANR-DFG French-German Collaboration?

Space technology, nuclear research and defence applications are excluded; a separate call exists for social sciences and humanities projects.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/dfg-anr-dfg-french-german-collaboration-for-joint-proj-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.