# Open Research Area (ORA) for the Social Sciences

**Funder:** DFG
**Consortium:** Required — multilateral research projects
**Frequency:** Biennial
**Eligible countries:** DE
**Official call:** https://www.dfg.de/en/research-funding/funding-opportunities/funding/ora
**Last verified:** 20 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Multilateral funding network (ORA) for social sciences research projects. Biennial calls for proposals; ANR (France) and DFG (Germany) are among the partner agencies. Proposals must involve researchers from multiple participating countries.

## Summary

The Open Research Area (ORA) for the Social Sciences funds multilateral collaborative research projects involving researchers from multiple participating countries, with DFG (Germany) and ANR (France) among the partner agencies. Proposals must form international consortia and address substantive social science questions across disciplinary boundaries. The call operates on a biennial cycle; researchers should verify the current call status on the DFG and ORA websites before preparing a proposal.

## Who should apply

- Researchers based in DFG-eligible German institutions seeking international collaboration
- Project leads willing to coordinate a multilateral consortium with co-investigators from partner countries
- Social scientists addressing cross-national or comparative research questions
- Teams with demonstrated ability to manage joint grants and coordinate across borders

## Key dates

- Biennial call cycle; verify next deadline on DFG and ORA websites
- Multilateral proposals require coordination across multiple partner agencies
- Project duration typically 3-4 years (confirm in the current call text)

## Tips for applicants

- Partner agency alignment is critical, ensure all co-investigators' home countries are represented by an ORA partner before submission.
- Budget and timeline must align across all partner agencies; use the ORA's proposal template to synchronise workplan and milestones.
- The consortium structure itself is evaluated; demonstrate clear role division, communication plan, and shared research questions that justify the international scope.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the Open Research Area for the Social Sciences?

The ORA is a multilateral funding network coordinating biennial calls for international collaborative research projects in the social sciences across partner agencies including DFG and ANR.

### Is a consortium required for the Open Research Area?

Yes, proposals must involve researchers from multiple participating countries and form a formal multilateral consortium.

### How often does the Open Research Area call open?

The ORA operates on a biennial cycle; researchers should check the DFG and ORA websites for the current call status and exact deadline.

### Which countries can participate in the Open Research Area for the Social Sciences?

Partner agencies represent multiple countries including Germany (DFG) and France (ANR); eligible countries depend on which agencies fund the current call round.

### Do I need approval from my home country's funder before applying to the Open Research Area?

Yes, each consortium member must be eligible under their home country's participating agency rules; coordinate with your national funder early in proposal development.

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