Introduction to the Introduction to the Activities of the Activities of the

German Research German Research Foundation (DFG) in Foundation (DFG) in

North AmericaNorth America

Dr. Max VöglerBonn, 7 June 2009

The DFG…

Who we are and what we do

central, self-governing funding organisation that promotes basic research in Germany.

Membership organization (universities, academies, research organizations), not a government agency

Serving the sciences and humanities in all fields

Promoting academic excellence on a competitive basis with:

Independent multi-tiered peer review

Special focus on supporting young academics

Promoting international research co-operation

Advisory function for politics

Fostering links between science and industry

Funding of Infrastructure(Scientific Library Services and Information Systems,Central Research Facilities) € 172 m (7,8 %)

Individual Grants€ 714 m (32,5%)

Direct Funding for Young Researchers€ 84 m (3,8 %)

Scientific Prizes (e.g. Leibniz, Communicator) € 18 m (0,8%)

Coordinated Programmes(e.g. Collaborative Research Centres, Research Training Groups, Excellence Initiative) € 1,1 bn (50 %)

International Scientific Contacts(Measures to encourage Bi- and Multilateral Collaborations)€ 40 m (1,8 %)

Committees & Commissions€ 5 m (0,2 %)

€ 2.2 bn

Status: 2009

DFG Awards 2009

20% Overhead Funding to Newly Approved Projects in nearly all

DFG’s Programmes since January 2008

(inclusive 2,5 % administration costs)

€ 2.2 bn

DFG Awards 2009

Of this funding:

• 32 % (about 700 Mio. €) goes to projects with international components

• 6 % (133 Mio €) have a U.S. partner

• 0,8 % (13 Mio. €) have a Canadian partner

• 0,5 % (11 Mio. €) have an Australian partner

• 1,5 Mio € is invested in projects with a partner from New Zealand

DFG: Modules for International Research Collaboration

DFG Funding Schemes for International Mobility Preparatory trips & collaborative visits Bilateral events Mercator visiting professorship Post-doc fellowships

International Modules within the DFG Funding Schemes

is possible in all DFG funding lines funding for travel, exchange of people

International DFG Funding Schemes International Research Training Groups Joint solicitations (e.g. DFG NSF Chemistry)

Preparatory trips / Collaborative Visits

Aim

enable researchers to develop collaborative activities

collaboration must relate to a concrete project, not just to a general institute-to-institute collaboration

Features

invitation by host

funding for travel, accommodation, and per diems for up to three months (no funding for positions or consumables)

principle of matching funds

Aim

funding for workshops in a scientific field that offers high potential for bilateral scientific collaboration

Features

event may be held either in Germany or in the partner country

funding for travel, accommodation, catering, conference organization, excursion after the symposium

principle of matching funds

Bilateral Events

Mercator Visiting Professorship Program

Aim To enable German universities to invite

distinguished researchers and scholars from abroad

Features: Applications must relate to the university's

scientific research profile Contribution to research, research-related

educational activities and research training Stay of 3 to 12 months Pay scale of full professor (W-3 professor)

DFG Research Training Groups (Graduiertenkollegs)

thematically focussed interdisciplinary research and study programs at universities; maximum funding period: 9 years

5-12 faculty; 1-2 post-docs, 1 coordinator; 12-24 PhD students; selected undergrads

possible components:

mobility period at universities abroad;

conferences; summer schools

regular supervision of PhD students; mentoring program

tailor-made study program; large scope for student initiatives

three-year stipends for doctoral students, open internationally

currently ca. 235 RTGs funded: www.dfg.de/gk/en/

The International Dimension of Research Training Groups

International students are welcome to apply for fellowships: ca. 30% international PhD students over 40% international postdocs

Some RTGs offer their programmes in English

International guest scientists

Support for international exchange of senior and junior scientists

Program variety: International Research Training Groups Joint international research training at centers of excellence Jointly proposed by a research group at a German university and a

partner group at a university abroad Joint research and study programme Joint supervision

An Example:

Research Training Group 1523

Quantum and gravitational fields Location: University of JenaFunding since: 2009

Coordinator:Prof. Andreas WipfFriedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena

Partners from various Universities cooperate with the RTG, including:

Prof. Wolfgang Tichy

Prof. Robert L. Bryant

Joint Solicitations:

Partnerships with various U.S. Grant Agencies

National Science Foundation Yearly open joint call in chemistry Participation in Materials World Network Annual DFG/NSF Research Conference

National Endowment for the Humanities Joint Programme in the Digital Humanities

National Institutes of Health Research Career Transition Awards Program

Exzelleninitiative

The German Excellence Initiative

Aims: Strengthen Germany’s top universities Make them internationally more visible and attractive

Competition for funding of: Graduate Schools (DFG) Clusters of Excellence (DFG) Institutional Strategies (WR)

Budget: 1.9 billion € government funding for 5 years (2007 – 2012) for project funding plus 20% "overhead"

Exzelleninitiative

39 Graduate Schools

Highest level research trainingApprox. € 1 m p.a. each

37 Clusters of Excellence*

Centers of excellence in researchApprox. € 6.5 m p.a. each

* incl. 4 additions to DFG-RCs

Institutional Strategy for TopLevel University Research Increase international competitiveness of

the whole university Approx. € 13.5 m p.a. each (9)

German Excellence Initiative: Three Lines of Funding

DFG Offices Abroad

Sino-German Centre for Science

Promotion Beijing, 2000

Liaison Office North America (Washington,

2002New York, 2007)

Liaison

Office

Moskau,

2003

Liaison OfficeNew Delhi,

2006

New:

Tokyo 2009

                                                   

contact point for current and former DFG award holders and alumni

cooperation of German researchers with partner organizations in the U.S. and Canada

info point for universities and research institutions about S&R and research funding in Germany or the US / Canada

Mission of the DFG North America Team

Dr. Marion MüllerDFG North America OfficeWashington and New Yorkmarion.mueller@dfg.de +1 (202) 785-4208 (Washington)+1 (212) 339-8300 (New York)

Dr. Max VöglerDFG Bonn – International Relations North America (USA, Canada)max.voegler@dfg.de+49 (0)228 885 2388

Thank you for your attention!

Questions?Dr. Max VöglerDFGInternational Relations Head of Section: North America (USA, Canada)max.voegler@dfg.de