Global Minds in DFG-Verbünden

Global Minds in DFG-Verbünden is a DFG funding initiative within the federal 1000-Köpfe-Plus programme to enable funded research consortia in Germany to recruit highly qualified researchers currently working abroad. It offers two modules: a Professorship module to recruit a researcher to a long-term professorial position and a Mercator Fellow Global module to fund longer-term fellow stays with flexible on-site phases in Germany. Funding covers personnel for the recruited researcher and additional personnel, consumables and investment costs, with specified maximum budgets per module and overhead allowances for host consortia. The funding duration is five years with funding start in 2028.

Funding for the recruited professor or fellow's personnel costs, funding for additional personnel (notably doctoral researchers), material and investment costs, and a flat-rate allowance for indirect costs for the host consortium.

Eligible applicants are German higher-education institutions that are applicant institutions of a currently funded EXC, FIP, GRK or SFB/TRR consortium; applications are submitted jointly by the applicant institution(s) and the identified candidate. Candidates must have been working abroad for at least three years at the time of application.

Applicant German universities must submit an intention declaration via the DFG elan portal by 2026-12-08 12:00; the full application (in English) must be submitted via the elan portal by 2027-01-27 12:00. One application per consortium; applications are submitted jointly by the applicant institution(s) and the identified candidate.