# International Research Training Groups

**Funder:** DFG
**Consortium:** Required — German university plus at least one foreign university or research institution
**Frequency:** Continuous
**Eligible countries:** DE
**Official call:** https://www.dfg.de/en/research-funding/funding-opportunities/programmes
**Last verified:** 1 July 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Jointly structured doctoral programmes run by German universities and foreign partner institutions. Includes cross-border supervision of doctoral students and long-term reciprocal research visits. Lead applicant must be at a German university.

## Summary

DFG International Research Training Groups fund structured doctoral programmes jointly run by German universities and one or more foreign partner institutions, with cross-border supervision and long-term reciprocal research visits built in. The lead applicant must be based at a German university and can apply at any time. These programmes support doctoral training that spans institutions and borders, strengthening international research networks.

## Who should apply

- Faculty members leading doctoral programmes at German universities
- Research groups with established or planned partnerships in foreign universities or research institutions
- Projects emphasising cross-border supervision and reciprocal research visits for doctoral students
- Applicants across all academic disciplines

## Key dates

- Rolling deadline, submit at any time
- Continuous call with no fixed annual cycle
- Doctoral programme duration varies by structure (typically 3-4 years per cohort)

## Tips for applicants

- A formal partnership agreement with the foreign institution(s) strengthens the application; vague letters of support underperform.
- Spell out the reciprocal visit schedule explicitly, DFG panels review feasibility of cross-border student movement and co-supervision logistics.
- Emphasise both German and foreign supervisors' complementary expertise; programmes framed as unidirectional training score lower.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the DFG International Research Training Group?

It is a DFG funding scheme that supports joint doctoral programmes run by German universities and one or more foreign partner institutions, including cross-border supervision and reciprocal research visits.

### Who can lead a DFG International Research Training Group application?

The lead applicant must be a faculty member at a German university; applications must also name at least one foreign university or research institution as a partner.

### When is the deadline for DFG International Research Training Groups?

The call has a rolling deadline, you can submit at any time, as this is a continuous funding scheme.

### Is consortium partnership required for DFG International Research Training Groups?

Yes, a German university must partner with at least one foreign university or research institution; solo applications from a single German site are not eligible.

---

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