DFG
DFG-NWO Lead Agency Procedure (Joint Pilot)
Pilot open from 6 August 2024 until 30 July 2027
Last verified:
The DFG-NWO Lead Agency Procedure is a joint pilot funding bilateral research projects between Germany and the Netherlands over three years. Researchers in either country can apply through their home funder (DFG or NWO) while their German or Dutch partner applies through the other, allowing streamlined joint funding without separate submissions. The pilot runs until 30 July 2027 and is open across all disciplines supported by the two agencies.
Details
| Funder | DFG |
| Deadline | 30 July 2027 |
| Consortium | Required — bilateral (Germany + Netherlands) |
| Frequency | One-off (3-year pilot) |
| Eligible countries | DENL |
Eligibility & scope
Three-year pilot for a joint Lead Agency Procedure between DFG and NWO (Dutch Research Council), open from 6 August 2024 until 30 July 2027. Facilitates bilateral research projects between researchers in Germany and the Netherlands through mutual opening of individual funding procedures.
Who Should Apply
- •Researchers based in Germany or the Netherlands with established research groups
- •Applicants with a motivated bilateral collaboration partner in the other country
- •Projects spanning any discipline within DFG and NWO funding remits
- •Teams ready to coordinate a single joint application through the lead agency
Key Dates
- •Pilot open 6 August 2024 through 30 July 2027 (rolling submissions during window)
- •One-off 3-year pilot; not a recurring call after 2027
- •Funding duration depends on the specific DFG/NWO scheme accessed
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Identify your bilateral partner early; the lead-agency model requires tight coordination so one researcher applies through DFG while the other applies through NWO with a joint proposal.
- ✓Submit through the relevant DFG or NWO call for your discipline and career stage, but notify both agencies of the binational partnership to trigger the mutual-opening procedure.
- ✓This pilot is testing streamlined bilateral funding, emphasise the scientific added value of the Germany-Netherlands collaboration explicitly in your proposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DFG-NWO Lead Agency Procedure?
A three-year pilot enabling bilateral research projects between Germany and the Netherlands by allowing researchers to apply through their home funder while their partner applies through the other, avoiding duplicate submissions.
How does the bilateral application work in this pilot?
One researcher applies through DFG and the other through NWO using a shared project proposal; each funder evaluates and funds their own researcher, coordinated through the Lead Agency framework.
When does the DFG-NWO Lead Agency Procedure pilot end?
The pilot closes to new submissions on 30 July 2027 and is not a recurring call beyond that date.
Can I apply to any DFG or NWO scheme under this pilot?
Yes, the procedure is open across disciplines supported by both agencies; the specific funding level and project duration depend on which individual DFG or NWO scheme you access.
Is the DFG-NWO Lead Agency Procedure only for early-career researchers?
No, it is open to established research groups in both countries across career stages, subject to the eligibility of the underlying DFG or NWO scheme.
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Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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