# Collaborative Research Centres (CRC / Sonderforschungsbereiche)

**Funder:** DFG
**Duration:** Up to 12 years (4-year funding periods)
**Consortium:** Required — single university (CRC) or 2–3 universities (CRC/Transregio); non-university research institutions may be integrated
**Application:** 2-stage: draft proposal + mandatory consultation → 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 verified:** 14 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Open to German universities (and doctorate-granting institutions of equivalent status). Funds long-term, multidisciplinary research programmes including staff, instrumentation, consumables, travel, Mercator Fellows, Integrated Research Training Groups, equality measures, science communication, and transfer projects. Early-career researcher support is a key review criterion. CRC/Transregio allows up to 3 co-applicant universities; international project integration possible.

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