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Heisenberg Programme

Do you already fulfil all the requirements for a tenured professorship but have not yet been appointed to a chair? Then apply to the Heisenberg Programme of the German Research Foundation. It supports the step towards the first permanent professorship. Applications for funding can be submitted at any time.

Who can apply?

Requirements for applicants include the following:

The Heisenberg Programme is directed at outstanding researchers who meet all the requirements for appointment to a permanent professorship but have not yet been appointed.
The target group includes junior research group leaders, junior professors and those with a habilitation or with qualifications equivalent to a habilitation.
Also part of the target group are German researchers returning from abroad and appropriately qualified foreign researchers looking to pursue careers in Germany.
Applications may not be submitted by those who hold a permanent position or by professors on tenure track programmes in Germany.

What form does funding take?

Funding is normally provided for a period of five years. There are four possible funding routes:

the Heisenberg position, i.e. funding for a temporary position at an academic institution in Germany, plus flexible research funding of 1,000 euros/month
the Heisenberg temporary substitute position for clinicians; the funding allows the recipients to be released from clinical duties, plus flexible research funding of 1,000 euros/month
the Heisenberg professorship, i.e. funding for a temporary professorship at a German university in case a German university is willing to provide a permanent professorship once the DFG funding runs out, plus flexible research funding of 1,000 euros/month
the Heisenberg fellowship, i.e. a fellowship grant of 4,450 euros to cover living expenses, plus additional allowances (250 euros/month for direct project costs, travel/moving/foreign allowance, childcare, subsidies for health insurance)

Once the applicant has been accepted to the Heisenberg Programme, s/he can select between the four funding types or combine them during the five-year funding period.

When is the closing date for applications?

Applications can be submitted at any time.

Terms and conditions of application

The terms and conditions of application can be found here:

www.dfg.de > Heisenberg Programme

Your goal

Are you aiming for a PhD or postdoc position? Here you will find information on your research career in Germany.

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