Helmholtz Investigator Groups (Investigator Track) & Helmholtz Innovation Exploration Groups (Exploration Track)
Helmholtz Investigator Groups (Investigator Track) & Helmholtz Innovation Exploration Groups (Exploration Track) fund postdoctoral researchers’ independent teams to advance research and explore innovation potential.
Funder: Helmholtz Association
Due Dates: January 3, 2027 (KIT) | January 8, 2027 (Jülich) | January 11, 2027 (Hereon) | January 14, 2027 (HZB) | January 18, 2027 (HMGU) | January 28, 2027 (HZDR) | February 11, 2027 (Center preliminary applications) | May 3, 2027 (Center full applications)
Funding Amounts: At least EUR 350,000 annually on average over five years, including host co-funding; up to 12 groups
Summary: Supports outstanding postdoctoral researchers establishing independent research groups or early-stage innovation exploration teams at Helmholtz Centers.
Key Information: Only nominating Helmholtz Centers may submit applications; permanent employees of the hosting Center are ineligible.
Description
The Helmholtz Association’s Initiative and Networking Fund supports independent group leadership through two tracks. The Investigator Track enables researchers from Germany and abroad to establish research groups at Helmholtz Centers in cooperation with partner universities. Projects must be relevant to a Helmholtz research program, while leaders gain experience in teaching, doctoral supervision and scientific leadership.
The Exploration Track supports researchers developing an independent profile at the interface of science and innovation. Teams develop and test scientific evidence, technological concepts and, where appropriate, first prototypes with societal or commercial potential. It supports early exploration and pre-validation rather than immediate business-model development or commercialization strategy. Both tracks cover Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Information, Matter, and Aeronautics, Space, and Transport.
