Priority Programmes
The DFG Priority Programmes fund nationwide, interdisciplinary research collaborations in Germany to advance innovative scientific topics and foster early-career researcher development.
Funder: German Research Foundation
Due Dates: October 15, 2026 (Proposal to establish a Priority Programme) | October 15, 2025 (Previous)
Funding Amounts: Typically funds up to 30 projects per programme; each programme runs up to 6 years (two 3-year phases).
Summary: Supports nationwide, collaborative, and interdisciplinary research on emerging topics, fostering networking and early-career development.
Description
The Priority Programmes initiative of the German Research Foundation (DFG) is designed to promote the advancement of science and the humanities in Germany through coordinated, multi-location research on innovative and significant topics. These programmes encourage nationwide collaboration, interdisciplinary approaches, and networking across institutions. They emphasize support for early-career researchers, foster equity and family-friendly measures, and promote international integration. Programmes are established by the DFG Senate when coordinated support is expected to yield substantial scientific progress and shape the direction of research in a field.
