DFG
Global Minds in DFG Consortia – Mercator Fellows Global
12:00 noon; letter of intent deadline, mandatory before full proposal (due 27 January 2027)
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Global Minds in DFG Consortia, Mercator Fellows Global offers up to €650,000 over five years for established DFG research consortia (Clusters of Excellence, FIP, RTGs or CRC/TRRs) to integrate an outstanding researcher currently based abroad as a long-term Mercator Fellow. The fellow spends 15-36 months in Germany over the five-year period without permanently relocating, and the proposal must come jointly from the host institution and the consortium in agreement with the recruited researcher. This is a one-off call, with funding starting in 2028.
Details
| Funder | DFG |
| Budget | Up to €650,000 for total period of residence |
| Deadline | 8 December 2026 |
| Duration | 5 years (fellow on-site 15–36 months total) |
| Consortium | Required — proposal must be submitted jointly by the applicant institution(s) of a currently funded EXC, FIP, RTG or CRC/TRR host consortium |
| Application | 2-stage: mandatory letter of intent (8 December 2026, 12:00 noon) → full proposal (27 January 2027, 12:00 noon) |
| Frequency | One-off |
| Eligible countries | DE |
Eligibility & scope
Funds German consortia (EXC, RI, RTG, CRC/TRR) to integrate an outstanding experienced researcher currently working abroad as a long-term fellow with extended residence periods in Germany, without requiring permanent relocation. Proposal must be in English; funding starts 2028.
Who Should Apply
- •German higher education institutions hosting a funded EXC, FIP, RTG or CRC/TRR consortium
- •Outstanding researchers currently based abroad willing to spend extended periods in Germany
- •Consortium leaders seeking long-term international integration without requiring full relocation
- •Joint applicant teams combining the host institution and the recruited researcher
Key Dates
- •Mandatory letter of intent due 8 December 2026, 12:00 noon
- •Full proposal due 27 January 2027, 12:00 noon
- •Five-year project with the fellow on-site for 15-36 months total; funding starts 2028
Tips for Applicants
- ✓The letter of intent is mandatory and gates entry to the full proposal, treat the December deadline as the real deadline, not a formality.
- ✓Frame the application around how the fellow's extended but non-permanent residence strengthens the existing EXC, FIP, RTG or CRC/TRR consortium, not as a standalone individual grant.
- ✓Write the proposal in English and secure explicit agreement from the recruited researcher before submission, since the application must be joint.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding does the DFG Mercator Fellows Global grant provide?
Up to €650,000 over the five-year project duration.
Who can apply for Mercator Fellows Global?
German higher education institutions hosting a funded DFG consortium (Cluster of Excellence, FIP, RTG or CRC/TRR), applying jointly with a researcher they want to recruit from abroad.
Does the Mercator Fellow have to relocate to Germany permanently?
No, the fellow retains their position abroad and spends 15-36 months in Germany spread across the five-year period.
What is the application process for this grant?
It is two-stage: a mandatory letter of intent due 8 December 2026, followed by a full proposal due 27 January 2027.
When does funding start for Mercator Fellows Global?
Funding begins in 2028.
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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