DFG
Clinical Research Units
Last verified:
The DFG Clinical Research Units programme funds collaborative disease- or patient-oriented research teams embedded in German university hospitals, requiring a structured consortium of clinicians and basic scientists. Eligible researchers hold a doctorate and are based at German research institutions; the call emphasises translational research bridging bench and bedside. The programme also supports early-career researcher development and strengthens institutional research capacity.
Details
| Funder | DFG |
| Consortium | Required — collaborative research group within a clinical institution |
| Eligible countries | DE |
Eligibility & scope
Funds disease- or patient-oriented (translational) clinical research collaborations at German university hospitals. Eligible: researchers holding a doctorate at German research institutions. Aims to strengthen research-oriented structures, training, and cooperation between clinicians and basic scientists. Includes measures for early-career researchers and equity/diversity.
Who Should Apply
- •Researchers with a doctorate at German academic or hospital institutions
- •Clinician-scientist groups with aligned research interests
- •Teams spanning clinical medicine and basic science disciplines
- •Institutions with commitment to co-locate and integrate researchers across traditional silos
- •Collaborative groups prioritising disease- or patient-centred translational questions
Key Dates
- •Verify exact deadline on the DFG portal; first listing on Grantsby is 21 June 2026
- •Consortium-based application; check DFG guidelines for pre-proposal and full-proposal stages
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Consortium structure is mandatory and reviewed carefully, clearly map roles, milestones, and synergies between clinical and basic-science partners; vague co-investigator arrangements will score poorly.
- ✓Frame the research question in terms of patient benefit or disease mechanism; DFG panels emphasise translational relevance and concrete clinical grounding.
- ✓Include explicit plans for early-career researcher mentoring and training within the unit; the call reward institutional capacity-building beyond the science itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the DFG Clinical Research Units call require a consortium?
Yes, applicants must form a structured collaborative research group spanning clinicians and basic scientists within a clinical institution.
Who is eligible for DFG Clinical Research Units?
Researchers holding a doctorate and based at German research institutions; the call is open to German nationals and residents meeting institutional eligibility.
What types of research does the DFG Clinical Research Units call fund?
Disease- and patient-oriented translational clinical research that strengthens collaboration between clinicians and basic scientists at university hospitals.
Does the DFG Clinical Research Units call support early-career researchers?
Yes, the programme includes dedicated measures for early-career researcher development and integration within the collaborative unit.
Related on Grantsby
- DFG writing tips & FAQ
Evaluation criteria, proposal structure, common mistakes.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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