# Priority Programme “Combinatorial Synergies” (SPP 2458)

**Funder:** DFG
**Deadline:** 30 November 2026 (Registration in elan required by 16 November 2026)
**Duration:** 3 years (second of two three-year funding periods within a six-year programme)
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** Registration in elan portal, then proposal submission via elan
**Frequency:** One-off
**Eligible countries:** DE
**Official call:** https://www.dfg.de/en/news/news-topics/announcements-proposals/2026/ifr-26-50
**Last updated:** 6 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Individual project proposals within the existing Priority Programme on combinatorics, covering themes such as enumeration, matroids, convexity, lattice points, statistics and mathematical physics. Applicants must register and submit via the DFG elan portal; both new project and renewal proposals are accepted.

## Summary

The DFG Priority Programme "Combinatorial Synergies" (SPP 2458) funds collaborative research projects across combinatorics, including enumeration, commutative algebra, matroids, convexity, and lattice-point geometry, over three years. The second funding period encourages proposals that explore synergies between human mathematical insight and AI-supported methods. Researchers at German institutions are eligible to apply.

## Who should apply

- Mathematicians and applied researchers working in combinatorics, algebra, or mathematical physics
- Researchers at German academic institutions and research centres
- Teams interested in bridging classical mathematical reasoning with computational or AI-supported approaches
- Experienced applicants or those willing to register early (registration closes 16 November 2026)

## Key dates

- Deadline 30 November 2026 (first-time DFG applicants must register in elan by 16 November 2026)
- Single-stage submission via elan portal
- Three-year project duration (second funding period)

## Tips for applicants

- First-time DFG applicants must register in elan well before the final deadline; plan registration for early November to avoid last-minute bottlenecks.
- Explicitly articulate the synergy between mathematical insight and AI or computational methods in your proposal, this is a priority of the second funding period.
- Ensure your host institution has a current DFG Code of Conduct certification for Good Research Practice; compliance is gating.

## Frequently asked questions

### What topics does DFG SPP 2458 fund?

The programme covers combinatorics themes including enumeration, Dynkin classification, commutative algebra, matroids, convexity, lattice points, statistics, non-linear optimisation, and mathematical physics.

### How long does funding last under SPP 2458?

Projects are funded for three years in the second funding period.

### Who can apply to DFG SPP 2458?

Researchers at German academic institutions and research centres working in eligible combinatorics and related areas.

### What is the deadline for DFG SPP 2458 second funding period?

The submission deadline is 30 November 2026; first-time DFG applicants must register in elan by 16 November 2026.

### Does SPP 2458 encourage AI methods?

Yes, proposals that explore synergies between human mathematical insight and AI-supported or computational methods are actively encouraged in this funding period.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/dfg-priority-programme-combinatorial-synergies-spp-245-2026-11) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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