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Global Minds in DFG Consortia – Mercator Fellows Global Module

Up to €650,000| Deadline: 27 January 2027 (in 126 days)|5 years (15-36 months on-site presence)

12:00 noon; letter of intent required by 8 December 2026

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The Mercator Fellows Global Module lets an existing DFG-funded consortium (an EXC, RI, RTG or CRC/TRR) integrate an outstanding researcher currently working abroad as a long-term fellow, with up to €650,000 available over five years. The consortium's spokesperson at a German host institution submits the proposal, and the fellow spends 15 to 36 months on-site in Germany across that period. Applications go through a letter of intent followed by a full proposal, with funding starting in 2028 for successful projects.

Details

Funder DFG
Budget Up to €650,000
Deadline 27 January 2027
Duration 5 years (15-36 months on-site presence)
Consortium Required — applicant higher education institution(s) hosting a currently funded EXC, RI, RTG or CRC/TRR consortium; joint submission if multiple applicant institutions
Application 2-stage: letter of intent (8 December 2026, 12:00 noon) → full proposal (27 January 2027, 12:00 noon)
Eligible countries DE

Eligibility & scope

Allows DFG consortia to integrate an outstanding, experienced researcher currently working abroad as a long-term Mercator Fellow, with 15-36 months total on-site presence in Germany over 5 years. Proposal must be in English, submitted via elan portal by the consortium spokesperson; funding starts in 2028.

Who Should Apply

  • •Consortium spokespersons at German institutions hosting a currently funded EXC, RI, RTG or CRC/TRR
  • •Experienced, outstanding researchers currently based abroad who could join as a long-term Mercator Fellow
  • •Multi-institution consortia prepared to submit a joint application
  • •Teams able to commit to a 15-36 month on-site presence plan spread over five years

Key Dates

  • •Letter of intent due 8 December 2026, 12:00 noon
  • •Full proposal deadline 27 January 2027, 12:00 noon
  • •5-year funding period with 15-36 months of on-site presence in Germany; funding starts in 2028

Tips for Applicants

  • ✓The proposal must come from the consortium spokesperson, not the incoming fellow, coordinate early with your host institution's EXC/RI/RTG/CRC leadership.
  • ✓The letter of intent deadline (8 December 2026) is seven weeks before the full proposal, start drafting the fellow's integration plan well before that checkpoint.
  • ✓Plan the fellow's 15-36 month on-site schedule across the five years concretely, since the module funds integration into an ongoing consortium rather than a standalone project.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much funding does the Mercator Fellows Global Module provide?

Up to €650,000 over five years to integrate a long-term Mercator Fellow into an existing DFG consortium.

Who can apply for the Mercator Fellows Global Module?

German higher education institutions hosting a currently funded DFG consortium (EXC, RI, RTG or CRC/TRR) submit the proposal through the consortium spokesperson to bring in an outstanding researcher currently based abroad.

How long does the Mercator Fellow need to be on-site in Germany?

The fellow must spend a total of 15 to 36 months on-site in Germany spread across the five-year funding period.

What is the application process for this DFG module?

It is a two-stage process: a letter of intent due 8 December 2026, followed by a full proposal due 27 January 2027, both at 12:00 noon.

When does funding start if awarded?

Funding for successful proposals begins in 2028.

dfggermanyconsortium-requiredmercator-fellowshipsenior-researcherinternational-collaborationexcellence-clusters

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