Collaborative Research Centres
The Collaborative Research Centres by the German Research Foundation fund long-term, multidisciplinary university-based teams to tackle complex scientific questions through coordinated, innovative research.
Funder: German Research Foundation
Due Dates: No fixed deadlines (draft proposals accepted any time; full proposals by arrangement) | Committee decisions: May & November annually
Funding Amounts: No set minimum or maximum; funding matches justified project needs; up to 12 years (4-year periods); €909M total CRC funding in 2026
Summary: Supports long-term, multidisciplinary research centres at German universities, fostering innovation and collaboration through coordinated, large-scale research programmes.
Description
The Collaborative Research Centres (CRCs) programme, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), establishes long-term, university-based research institutions where multidisciplinary teams address ambitious, complex research questions. CRCs pool expertise and resources, encourage cross-institutional and international collaborations, and support innovative, large-scale research programmes. The initiative is designed to advance university research structures, develop priority research areas, and provide strong support for early career researchers within a collaborative network.
