# Global Minds in DFG Consortia – Mercator Fellows Global Module

**Funder:** DFG
**Budget:** Up to €650,000
**Deadline:** 27 January 2027 (12:00 noon; letter of intent required by 8 December 2026)
**Duration:** 5 years (15-36 months on-site presence)
**Consortium:** Required — applicant higher education institution(s) hosting a currently funded EXC, RI, RTG or CRC/TRR consortium; joint submission if multiple applicant institutions
**Application:** 2-stage: letter of intent (8 December 2026, 12:00 noon) → full proposal (27 January 2027, 12:00 noon)
**Eligible countries:** DE
**Official call:** https://www.dfg.de/en/news/news-topics/announcements-proposals/2026/ifr-26-69
**Last updated:** 20 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Allows DFG consortia to integrate an outstanding, experienced researcher currently working abroad as a long-term Mercator Fellow, with 15-36 months total on-site presence in Germany over 5 years. Proposal must be in English, submitted via elan portal by the consortium spokesperson; funding starts in 2028.

## Summary

The Mercator Fellows Global Module lets an existing DFG-funded consortium (an EXC, RI, RTG or CRC/TRR) integrate an outstanding researcher currently working abroad as a long-term fellow, with up to €650,000 available over five years. The consortium's spokesperson at a German host institution submits the proposal, and the fellow spends 15 to 36 months on-site in Germany across that period. Applications go through a letter of intent followed by a full proposal, with funding starting in 2028 for successful projects.

## Who should apply

- Consortium spokespersons at German institutions hosting a currently funded EXC, RI, RTG or CRC/TRR
- Experienced, outstanding researchers currently based abroad who could join as a long-term Mercator Fellow
- Multi-institution consortia prepared to submit a joint application
- Teams able to commit to a 15-36 month on-site presence plan spread over five years

## Key dates

- Letter of intent due 8 December 2026, 12:00 noon
- Full proposal deadline 27 January 2027, 12:00 noon
- 5-year funding period with 15-36 months of on-site presence in Germany; funding starts in 2028

## Tips for applicants

- The proposal must come from the consortium spokesperson, not the incoming fellow, coordinate early with your host institution's EXC/RI/RTG/CRC leadership.
- The letter of intent deadline (8 December 2026) is seven weeks before the full proposal, start drafting the fellow's integration plan well before that checkpoint.
- Plan the fellow's 15-36 month on-site schedule across the five years concretely, since the module funds integration into an ongoing consortium rather than a standalone project.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the Mercator Fellows Global Module provide?

Up to €650,000 over five years to integrate a long-term Mercator Fellow into an existing DFG consortium.

### Who can apply for the Mercator Fellows Global Module?

German higher education institutions hosting a currently funded DFG consortium (EXC, RI, RTG or CRC/TRR) submit the proposal through the consortium spokesperson to bring in an outstanding researcher currently based abroad.

### How long does the Mercator Fellow need to be on-site in Germany?

The fellow must spend a total of 15 to 36 months on-site in Germany spread across the five-year funding period.

### What is the application process for this DFG module?

It is a two-stage process: a letter of intent due 8 December 2026, followed by a full proposal due 27 January 2027, both at 12:00 noon.

### When does funding start if awarded?

Funding for successful proposals begins in 2028.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/dfg-global-minds-in-dfg-consortia-mercator-fellows-glo-2027-01) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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