Programme Description

The Heisenberg Programme sponsors outstanding researchers who are qualified for tenured professorship: they have the opportunity to prepare for a scientific leadership position and simultaneously continue performing top-class research. The Heisenberg Programme is directed primarily at those researchers who have qualified for professorship via the Emmy Noether Programme, leadership of a junior research group, DFG project staff positions, private-sector research or mid-level faculty positions. The target group also includes junior professors who have received positive evaluations, those who have achieved their habilitation or an equivalent qualification, and German researchers returning from abroad, as well as appropriately qualified foreign researchers looking to pursue careers in Germany.

The Heisenberg Programme offers candidates four different types of funding

• the Heisenberg position
• the Heisenberg temporary substitute position for clinicians
• the Heisenberg professorship
• the Heisenberg fellowship

After being accepted into the Heisenberg Programme, awardees may either choose one of the above or combine one or more of the modules during the funding period. The funding extends over a period of 5 years at most.

Target Group

researchers in all disciplines who have qualified for a professorship by completing the habilitation or an equivalent qualification and who have a track record of outstanding research work

Academic Requirements

habilitation or equivalent qualification

Duration

up to 5 years. The funding will initially be granted for 3 years with the option to extend for a further 2 years. At the end of the 3rd year an evaluation will take place which is carried out on the basis of an interim report which should be submitted to the DFG about 30 to 32 months after the funding has started. Upon a positive evaluation, the funds for the remaining 2 years may be claimed at once.

Scholarship Value

• Heisenberg position: This module offers funding for your post and flexible research according to the “Head of independent junior research group/Heisenberg grant” staff funding category. Overview on DFG personnel rates
• Heisenberg temporary substitute position for clinicians: With the Heisenberg temporary substitute position, funding is provided for a replacement to cover your normal duties and for flexible research. This option offers funds from the “Medical research assistant” staff funding category. Overview on DFG personnel rates
• Heisenberg professorship: With the Heisenberg professorship, funding is provided for a temporary professorship
  (W2 or W3) at a German university as well as flexible research within the staff-funding category "Professorship". Overview on DFG personnel rates
• Heisenberg fellowship: This fellowship is 4,450 EUR per month to conduct research at an academic institution in Germany or another country. As part of the fellowship, an allowance for direct project costs totalling 250 EUR is provided to finance items such as books, consumables and conference attendance in other countries. Fellows can be granted a childcare allowance, subsidised health insurance and travel and foreign country allowances.

Application Papers

Applications are welcome at any time and should be submitted according to the instructions for project proposals.

Application Deadline

Applications can be submitted at any time.