DFG
DFG Heisenberg Programme
Continuous submission — proposals accepted at any time
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Catalog updated: .
These timestamps are not source verification. Confirm the current deadline and your eligibility on the funder’s call page before applying.
No deadline is on file for this call. Check DFG's own call page for the current round's status before you plan around it.
The DFG Heisenberg Programme funds a position or professorship plus research costs, for up to five years, for researchers who have already qualified for a professorship (habilitation or equivalent) but do not yet hold a permanent W2/W3 chair. It is the senior career bridge above Emmy Noether, intended to let established researchers continue independent work at a German institution while they seek a permanent post. Applications are accepted continuously, with no fixed deadline.
Details
| Funder | DFG |
| Budget | Position/professorship + research costs, up to 5 years |
| Duration | Up to 5 years |
| Consortium | No — single PI |
| Application | Single-stage (rolling) |
| Frequency | Continuous (no fixed deadline) |
| Eligible countries | DE |
Eligibility & scope
DFG Heisenberg supports established researchers who have qualified for a professorship (habilitation or equivalent) to continue at a German institution — the senior career bridge above Emmy Noether. Excludes existing permanent W2/W3 professors.
Who Should Apply
- •Researchers who have completed habilitation or an equivalent professorial qualification
- •Applicants not currently holding a permanent W2/W3 professorship
- •Researchers based at, or moving to, a German institution
- •Single principal investigators applying independently
Key Dates
- •Continuous submission, no fixed deadline
- •Single-stage, rolling evaluation
- •Up to five-year funding duration
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Because submission is rolling, apply once your habilitation or equivalent qualification is complete rather than waiting for a call cycle.
- ✓Clarify in the proposal that you do not hold a permanent W2/W3 chair, this eligibility line is checked explicitly.
- ✓Frame the application as a bridge toward a permanent professorship; the programme's purpose is continuation, not a standalone project grant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the DFG Heisenberg Programme pay?
It funds a position or professorship along with research costs, for up to five years.
Who is eligible for the DFG Heisenberg Programme?
Researchers who have qualified for a professorship through habilitation or an equivalent route, but do not already hold a permanent W2/W3 professorship.
Is there a deadline for the DFG Heisenberg Programme?
No, proposals are accepted continuously with no fixed deadline.
Does the DFG Heisenberg Programme require a consortium?
No, it is a single-PI grant with no consortium required.
How long does DFG Heisenberg funding last?
Up to five years.
Related on Grantsby
- DFG writing tips & FAQ
Evaluation criteria, proposal structure, common mistakes.
- DFG Heisenberg Programme, full programme guide
Eligibility, budget, success rates, application timeline, FAQ.
- DFG Heisenberg Programme past winners & funded projects
Recent recipients, host institutions, and funded project titles. See who tends to win before you apply.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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