The “Discipline-Specific Information Services” Programme
The German Research Foundation's 'Discipline-Specific Information Services' Programme funds advanced digital services to meet the unique research needs of academic communities in Germany.
Funder: German Research Foundation
Due Dates: September 15, 2026 (Full application, September cycle) | February 15, 2027 (Binding letter of intent) | April 15, 2027 (Full application, April cycle)
Funding Amounts: No fixed cap; substantial multi-year funding per project. Applicant institution must typically contribute ~1/3 of total project costs.
Summary: Supports the development and expansion of digital, discipline-specific information services for researchers in Germany, fostering tailored access and collaboration.
Key Information: Only German scientific libraries and infrastructure facilities are eligible to apply; substantial institutional co-funding required.
Description
This programme funds the creation and enhancement of discipline-specific information services ("Fachinformationsdienste", FID) designed to meet the specialized information needs of research communities in Germany. The focus is on providing fast, location-independent access to digital literature and resources tailored to specific disciplines or research areas, complementing existing local research infrastructures. The initiative also encourages collaboration and interoperability among FIDs, aiming to build a cohesive, networked information structure and establish shared standards and services for the benefit of the broader research community.
