Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
History
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) is a German research funding organization. Established in 1920 as the Notgemeinschaft der Deutschen Wissenschaft (Emergency Association of German Science), it was renamed to its current name in 1951. The DFG's primary function is to provide funding for research projects and to facilitate cooperation among researchers.
Structure and Organization
The DFG is a self-governing organization. Its members are German research universities, non-university research institutions, scientific associations, and the Academies of Science and Humanities. The DFG is governed by its General Assembly, Executive Committee, and Senate. The General Assembly, which meets annually, is the supreme decision-making body of the DFG. The Executive Committee is responsible for the operational management of the DFG, while the Senate is responsible for decisions on all matters of fundamental importance to the DFG's work.
Funding
The DFG funds research in all fields of science and the humanities. Funding is provided through a variety of mechanisms, including individual grants, coordinated programs (such as Collaborative Research Centers, Research Training Groups, and Clusters of Excellence), and infrastructure support. The DFG also provides funding for international cooperation and special programs for early career researchers.
Research Areas
The DFG funds research in all academic disciplines, from natural sciences to humanities. It supports projects in fields such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Medicine, Geosciences, Engineering, Social Sciences, and Humanities. The DFG is committed to promoting interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary research.
International Cooperation
The DFG actively promotes international research cooperation. It has cooperation agreements with numerous research funding organizations worldwide. The DFG also participates in the work of international research policy bodies, such as the European Research Council (ERC) and the Global Research Council (GRC).
Early Career Support
The DFG offers a range of funding opportunities for early career researchers. These include individual grants, fellowships, and participation in coordinated programs. The DFG also operates the Heisenberg Programme, which supports researchers who qualify for a professorship by providing them with flexible funding for up to five years.