DFG
Collaborative Research Centres
Rolling deadline; renewal proposals must be submitted within the final year of the current funding period
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DFG Collaborative Research Centres (CRC) fund long-term, multidisciplinary research consortia based at German universities, supporting joint work across one university (CRC) or two to three universities (CRC/Transregio) for up to 12 years in successive four-year funding periods. The scheme is open to research groups at German universities entitled to confer doctorates, with non-university institutions, foreign partners and industry allowed to join the consortium. Applications are accepted continuously, but a mandatory draft proposal and consultation must precede the full submission.
Details
| Funder | DFG |
| Duration | Up to 12 years (4-year funding periods) |
| Consortium | Required — one or more German universities entitled to confer doctorates; non-university and foreign research institutions and industry partners can be integrated |
| Application | 2-stage: mandatory draft proposal and consultation, followed by full proposal |
| Frequency | Continuous |
| Eligible countries | DE |
Eligibility & scope
Long-term, multidisciplinary university-based research institutions in Germany combining resources of one university (CRC) or jointly two-three universities (CRC/Transregio); non-university institutions, foreign institutions and industry partners can be integrated. Requires mandatory draft proposal and consultation before full proposal submission.
Who Should Apply
- •Research groups led by professors at German doctorate-granting universities
- •Consortia spanning one university (CRC) or two-three universities (CRC/Transregio)
- •Teams seeking long-term, multidisciplinary collaboration rather than a single short project
- •Projects wishing to integrate non-university, foreign, or industry partners alongside the core university consortium
Key Dates
- •Rolling deadline; renewal proposals must be submitted within the final year of the current funding period
- •Two-stage process: mandatory draft proposal and consultation, then full proposal
- •Up to 12 years total, structured as four-year funding periods
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Treat the draft proposal and consultation stage as a real review step, DFG feedback here shapes what the full proposal must address.
- ✓Plan the consortium structure (single-university CRC vs. multi-university CRC/Transregio) early, since it determines coordination and reporting requirements.
- ✓Because funding runs in four-year renewal cycles, build a long-term scientific trajectory into the first proposal rather than a self-contained one-off project.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does DFG Collaborative Research Centre funding last?
Up to 12 years total, awarded in successive four-year funding periods with renewal required for continuation.
Who can apply for a DFG Collaborative Research Centre?
Research groups at German universities entitled to confer doctorates, either from a single university (CRC) or jointly from two to three universities (CRC/Transregio).
Can non-German institutions join a DFG CRC?
Yes, non-university institutions, foreign research institutions and industry partners can be integrated into the consortium alongside the German university lead.
Is there a deadline for DFG Collaborative Research Centre applications?
No fixed deadline, applications are accepted on a rolling, continuous basis, though renewal proposals must be submitted within the final year of the current funding period.
What is the application process for a DFG CRC?
It is a two-stage process: a mandatory draft proposal and consultation with DFG, followed by submission of the full proposal.
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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