# 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:** 18 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.

## Summary

The DFG Collaborative Research Centres (CRC/Sonderforschungsbereiche) fund long-term, multidisciplinary research programmes at German universities for up to 12 years in consecutive 4-year funding periods. Grants cover staff, equipment, consumables, travel, and integrated training groups, with early-career researcher development as a key evaluation criterion. A single university hosts a standard CRC; a CRC/Transregio spans 2-3 universities and may integrate international partners and non-university research institutions.

## Who should apply

- German universities and doctorate-granting institutions of equivalent status
- Research groups ready to commit to long-term multidisciplinary collaboration (4-12 years)
- Consortia spanning one institution (CRC) or 2-3 universities (CRC/Transregio)
- Programmes with explicit early-career researcher support and training components
- Applicants able to integrate non-university research institutions and international partners (CRC/Transregio only)

## Key dates

- Continuous call: submit draft proposal any time; mandatory consultation required before full proposal
- Renewal proposals: must be submitted within the final year of the current 4-year funding period
- Funding awarded in 4-year cycles; total duration up to 12 years (three renewals possible)

## Tips for applicants

- The draft proposal and mandatory consultation are gating steps, do not skip the consultation; reviewers will assess feasibility and strategic fit before you invest in the full application.
- Early-career researcher support is explicitly weighted in review; detail your mentoring plan, training group structure, and career-development milestones for junior scientists.
- CRC/Transregio (multi-university) proposals must clearly delineate each university's role and demonstrate that multidisciplinary integration adds scientific value over single-site work.

## Frequently asked questions

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

Up to 12 years in three consecutive 4-year funding periods; each period is reviewed separately and renewal is not automatic.

### Can a CRC span multiple universities?

Yes, a CRC/Transregio can span 2-3 German universities and may integrate non-university research institutions and international partners.

### What does a DFG CRC budget cover?

Staff, instrumentation, consumables, travel, Mercator Fellowships, integrated research training groups, equality measures, science communication, and transfer projects.

### Is there a submission deadline for new DFG CRC proposals?

No fixed deadline; the call is continuous. However, you must submit a draft proposal and complete a mandatory consultation before submitting a full proposal.

### How are renewal proposals handled?

Renewal proposals must be submitted within the final year of the current 4-year funding period and undergo the same review process as new proposals.

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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.

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