DFG
DFG Research Grants (Sachbeihilfe)
Continuous submission — proposals accepted at any time
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DFG Research Grants (Sachbeihilfe) fund individual research projects of any size and duration at German institutions through continuous rolling submission. Grants range from €150,000 to €1,500,000 and cover staff, equipment, consumables, and travel; they are available to qualified researchers at any career stage. There is no fixed deadline, proposals can be submitted at any time and are evaluated on a rolling basis.
Details
| Funder | DFG |
| Budget | Project funding — staff, equipment, consumables, travel |
| Duration | Project-dependent (typically several years) |
| Consortium | No — single-PI project grant |
| Application | Single-stage (rolling) |
| Frequency | Continuous (no fixed deadline) |
| Eligible countries | DE |
Eligibility & scope
DFG Research Grants (Sachbeihilfe) is Germany's standing single-PI project grant, open to qualified researchers at a German institution at any career stage. No fixed deadline.
Who Should Apply
- •Researchers at any career stage based at a German institution
- •Scientists seeking to lead single-PI projects with flexible scope and duration
- •Applicants with research ideas requiring €150,000-€1,500,000 in direct costs
- •Researchers in any discipline eligible to apply
Key Dates
- •Continuous rolling submission, submit proposals at any time
- •Single-stage evaluation with no fixed deadline
- •Project duration typically several years, negotiated per proposal
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Proposals are evaluated on rolling basis in order received, clarify your research question and feasibility upfront; vague early submissions will not be strengthened by resubmission.
- ✓The €1.5M cap is a hard ceiling; cost justification must be rigorous for projects approaching this range, especially for staff and equipment.
- ✓DFG panels value methodological rigor and realistic timelines, overly ambitious scope for the budget requested is a frequent reason for rejection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the budget range for a DFG Research Grant (Sachbeihilfe)?
Grants range from €150,000 to €1,500,000 and cover staff, equipment, consumables, and travel costs.
Can I apply for a DFG Research Grant at any career stage?
Yes, DFG Research Grants are open to qualified researchers at any career stage, from early-career to established investigators.
Is there a deadline for DFG Research Grants?
No, DFG Research Grants operate on continuous rolling submission, and proposals can be submitted at any time for rolling evaluation.
Can I apply for a DFG Research Grant if I'm not at a German institution?
No, you must be based at a qualified German research institution to be eligible.
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- 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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