DFG
Global Minds in DFG Consortia – Professorships
12:00 noon; letter of intent deadline, mandatory before full proposal (due 27 January 2027)
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Global Minds in DFG Consortia, Professorships helps DFG-funded consortia (Clusters of Excellence, Research Impulses, Research Training Groups, or Collaborative Research Centres/TRRs) recruit an outstanding researcher currently working abroad into a long-term professorship at the German host institution, with up to €3.5M over five years. The call is a one-off scheme aimed at German institutions hosting an active funded consortium, not at individual researchers applying directly. Candidates must have worked abroad for at least three years, and each consortium may submit only one proposal.
Details
| Funder | DFG |
| Budget | Up to €3.5M total |
| Deadline | 8 December 2026 |
| Duration | 5 years |
| 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 higher education institutions hosting a DFG-funded Cluster of Excellence, Research Impulse, Research Training Group or Collaborative Research Centre to appoint an outstanding researcher from abroad (working abroad ≥3 years) to a long-term professorship. Proposal must be in English; funding starts 2028.
Who Should Apply
- •German higher education institutions hosting a funded DFG Cluster of Excellence, Research Impulse, RTG, or CRC/TRR
- •Consortia seeking to recruit a specific outstanding researcher currently working abroad for 3+ years or more
- •Institutions able to offer a long-term professorship position tied to the consortium's research focus
- •Applicants coordinating jointly with the recruited researcher's agreement before submission
Key Dates
- •Mandatory letter of intent due 8 December 2026, 12:00 noon
- •Full proposal due 27 January 2027, 12:00 noon
- •Five-year funding period, starting 2028
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Secure firm agreement from the targeted researcher before the letter of intent stage, the proposal must already name the recruit and confirm their consent.
- ✓Only one proposal per consortium is allowed, so align internally early to avoid competing submissions from the same Cluster, RTG, or CRC.
- ✓Write the full proposal in English and plan backward from the 2028 funding start, since the letter of intent and proposal deadlines sit close together.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding does Global Minds in DFG Consortia provide?
Up to €3.5 million over a five-year period per approved proposal.
Who can apply for this DFG professorship scheme?
German higher education institutions hosting a DFG-funded Cluster of Excellence, Research Impulse, Research Training Group, or Collaborative Research Centre/TRR, applying jointly with the researcher they intend to recruit.
What are the eligibility requirements for the recruited researcher?
The researcher must be an outstanding scientist currently working abroad for at least three years.
Is this a recurring DFG call?
No, it is described as a one-off call frequency.
What is the application process and deadline?
It is a two-stage process: a mandatory letter of intent due 8 December 2026, followed by a full proposal due 27 January 2027, both at 12:00 noon.
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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