# Collaborative Research Centres

**Funder:** DFG
**Duration:** Up to 12 years (4-year funding periods)
**Consortium:** Required — one or more German universities entitled to confer doctorates; non-university and foreign research institutions and industry partners can be integrated
**Application:** 2-stage: mandatory draft proposal and consultation, followed by full proposal
**Frequency:** Continuous
**Eligible countries:** DE
**Official call:** https://www.dfg.de/en/research-funding/funding-opportunities/programmes/coordinated-programmes/collaborative-research-centres
**Last updated:** 25 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Long-term, multidisciplinary university-based research institutions in Germany combining resources of one university (CRC) or jointly two-three universities (CRC/Transregio); non-university institutions, foreign institutions and industry partners can be integrated. Requires mandatory draft proposal and consultation before full proposal submission.

## Summary

DFG Collaborative Research Centres (CRC) fund long-term, multidisciplinary research consortia based at German universities, supporting joint work across one university (CRC) or two to three universities (CRC/Transregio) for up to 12 years in successive four-year funding periods. The scheme is open to research groups at German universities entitled to confer doctorates, with non-university institutions, foreign partners and industry allowed to join the consortium. Applications are accepted continuously, but a mandatory draft proposal and consultation must precede the full submission.

## Who should apply

- Research groups led by professors at German doctorate-granting universities
- Consortia spanning one university (CRC) or two-three universities (CRC/Transregio)
- Teams seeking long-term, multidisciplinary collaboration rather than a single short project
- Projects wishing to integrate non-university, foreign, or industry partners alongside the core university consortium

## Key dates

- Rolling deadline; renewal proposals must be submitted within the final year of the current funding period
- Two-stage process: mandatory draft proposal and consultation, then full proposal
- Up to 12 years total, structured as four-year funding periods

## Tips for applicants

- Treat the draft proposal and consultation stage as a real review step, DFG feedback here shapes what the full proposal must address.
- Plan the consortium structure (single-university CRC vs. multi-university CRC/Transregio) early, since it determines coordination and reporting requirements.
- Because funding runs in four-year renewal cycles, build a long-term scientific trajectory into the first proposal rather than a self-contained one-off project.

## Frequently asked questions

### How long does DFG Collaborative Research Centre funding last?

Up to 12 years total, awarded in successive four-year funding periods with renewal required for continuation.

### Who can apply for a DFG Collaborative Research Centre?

Research groups at German universities entitled to confer doctorates, either from a single university (CRC) or jointly from two to three universities (CRC/Transregio).

### Can non-German institutions join a DFG CRC?

Yes, non-university institutions, foreign research institutions and industry partners can be integrated into the consortium alongside the German university lead.

### Is there a deadline for DFG Collaborative Research Centre applications?

No fixed deadline, applications are accepted on a rolling, continuous basis, though renewal proposals must be submitted within the final year of the current funding period.

### What is the application process for a DFG CRC?

It is a two-stage process: a mandatory draft proposal and consultation with DFG, followed by submission of the full proposal.

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

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