This programme is between rounds. The round described here has closed, and DFG has not announced the next one.
New proposals: no submission deadline; draft proposal and mandatory consultation required before full proposal. Renewal proposals: must be submitted within the final year of the current funding period.
DFG
Collaborative Research Centres (CRC / Sonderforschungsbereiche)
New proposals: no submission deadline; draft proposal and mandatory consultation required before full proposal. Renewal proposals: must be submitted within the final year of the current funding period.
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The DFG Collaborative Research Centres (CRC/Sonderforschungsbereiche) fund long-term, multidisciplinary research programmes at German universities for up to 12 years in consecutive 4-year funding periods. Grants cover staff, equipment, consumables, travel, and integrated training groups, with early-career researcher development as a key evaluation criterion. A single university hosts a standard CRC; a CRC/Transregio spans 2-3 universities and may integrate international partners and non-university research institutions.
Details
| Funder | DFG |
| Duration | Up to 12 years (4-year funding periods) |
| Consortium | Required — single university (CRC) or 2–3 universities (CRC/Transregio); non-university research institutions may be integrated |
| Application | 2-stage: draft proposal + mandatory consultation → full proposal |
| Frequency | Continuous |
| Eligible countries | DE |
Eligibility & scope
Open to German universities (and doctorate-granting institutions of equivalent status). Funds long-term, multidisciplinary research programmes including staff, instrumentation, consumables, travel, Mercator Fellows, Integrated Research Training Groups, equality measures, science communication, and transfer projects. Early-career researcher support is a key review criterion. CRC/Transregio allows up to 3 co-applicant universities; international project integration possible.
Who Should Apply
- •German universities and doctorate-granting institutions of equivalent status
- •Research groups ready to commit to long-term multidisciplinary collaboration (4-12 years)
- •Consortia spanning one institution (CRC) or 2-3 universities (CRC/Transregio)
- •Programmes with explicit early-career researcher support and training components
- •Applicants able to integrate non-university research institutions and international partners (CRC/Transregio only)
Key Dates
- •Continuous call: submit draft proposal any time; mandatory consultation required before full proposal
- •Renewal proposals: must be submitted within the final year of the current 4-year funding period
- •Funding awarded in 4-year cycles; total duration up to 12 years (three renewals possible)
Tips for Applicants
- ✓The draft proposal and mandatory consultation are gating steps, do not skip the consultation; reviewers will assess feasibility and strategic fit before you invest in the full application.
- ✓Early-career researcher support is explicitly weighted in review; detail your mentoring plan, training group structure, and career-development milestones for junior scientists.
- ✓CRC/Transregio (multi-university) proposals must clearly delineate each university's role and demonstrate that multidisciplinary integration adds scientific value over single-site work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a DFG Collaborative Research Centre last?
Up to 12 years in three consecutive 4-year funding periods; each period is reviewed separately and renewal is not automatic.
Can a CRC span multiple universities?
Yes, a CRC/Transregio can span 2-3 German universities and may integrate non-university research institutions and international partners.
What does a DFG CRC budget cover?
Staff, instrumentation, consumables, travel, Mercator Fellowships, integrated research training groups, equality measures, science communication, and transfer projects.
Is there a submission deadline for new DFG CRC proposals?
No fixed deadline; the call is continuous. However, you must submit a draft proposal and complete a mandatory consultation before submitting a full proposal.
How are renewal proposals handled?
Renewal proposals must be submitted within the final year of the current 4-year funding period and undergo the same review process as new proposals.
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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