IScO Newsletter June 2025

News and Announcements from IScO

• IScO´s International BBQ at KIT International Guesthouse 
• IScO´s Excursion to Heidelberg
• IScO´s Excursion: Where should we go next?

News and Announcements from KIT

• Events organized by the KIT Research Office 
• International Excellence Talk: Urban Forestry in Service to Society and Education - Building Mutual Pathways of Learning by Colleen Murphy Dunning, Yale School of Environment (YSE), USA
• Ethics in the Lab - A Workshop on Scientific Misconduct and How to Avoid it (online)
• How to Shape Your Future – Career Planning for Postdocs (two-day on-site workshop)
• Busting Jargon – Tactics for Comprehensible Communication in Science (two-day online workshop)
• E-Learning Courses: FIT-Career Modules
• Shut Up and Write! (10-week on-site writing course)
• Events organized by PEBA-CDM
• KHYS - Aspirant Grant

External News and Announcements 

• Events in Karlsruhe
• Franco-German Day for Young Researchers 
• Transferable Skills Course: How to Survive Your First International Conference at University of Basel 
• HUMANE - Study Visit Southeast Asia 2025
• DAAD Visiting Lecturer Program - Online Info Session
• DAAD - Congress Travel Program
• Helmholtz office Beijing - Online Consultation 
• Helmholtz Associate Postdoc Network 
• DFG Information for the science community

Current Calls for Proposal

• Philipp Schwartz Initiative - Funding for Scholars at Risk 
• Innovators Connect – Tandem 2025 Call For Applications
• French National Research Agency (ANR) - MRSEI 2025 
• Université Franco-Allemande (UFA) – Deutsch-Französische Hochschule (DFH) 
• Ambassade de France en Allemagne / DAAD
• DAAD-Postdoc-Program PRIME – Call for Applications
• Eucor - Seed Money 2025
• EPICUR Seed Funding
• Scholarship program of the Baden-Württemberg State Parliament - 2nd Call for Applications
• Azrieli International Fellowships
• DAAD - ERA Fellowships: Green Hydrogen 
• AvH - Henriette Herz Scouting Program 

IScO´s International BBQ at KIT International Guesthouse 

We would like to invite you and your friends, family and colleagues to our 
International BBQ on the roof top terrace of our KIT Guesthouse.
 
Enjoy a relaxed get-together where cultures, conversations, and cuisines come together!
Bring your favorite dish, enjoy grilled food, and connect with fellow researchers from around the world. Whether you're new in town or just love a good barbecue, this is the perfect chance to meet, mingle, and celebrate summer in an international atmosphere.

Event details: 

• Date: Thursday, July 10, 2025
• Time: from 05:00 PM
• Venue: KIT International Guesthouse, (Reinhold Frank Str. 48c), 4th floor (rooftop)
• Costs: We provide the drinks (sold at very moderate prices) and some basic side dishes. Please bring your own food to put onto the BBQ! Salads or typical food from your home country are also very welcome!
• Registration: Registration required. Please also register any friends, colleagues or children that you plan to bring along. The event only takes place in good weather conditions. In case of bad weather, we have to cancel the event since it´s a outdoor place.

If questions arise, please write us an e-mail. 
Please feel free to share this offer among your network!

IScO´s Excursion to Heidelberg

IScO invites you to join us on a day trip to Heidelberg! Together, we’ll explore the city’s charming Old Town with its winding alleys, historic landmarks, and vibrant atmosphere.

As part of the program, we’ve booked a guided walking tour through the Altstadt. You’ll learn about key sights such as the Church of the Holy Spirit, the Jesuit quarter, and Germany’s oldest university—including a visit to the famous Studentenkarzer (historic student prison). The route also takes us along the Hauptstraße, one of Europe’s longest pedestrian streets, filled with cafés, shops, and beautiful architecture.

After the guided tour has ended, you’re free to explore the city on your own or together with other participants—take your time to enjoy the cafés, river views, or even visit the castle if you like. 

Whether you're new to the region or simply curious, this is a great opportunity to explore Heidelberg with other international researchers.

• Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025
• Meeting time: 10:45 AM at Karlsruhe main station (Hauptbahnhof). We’ll take the train to Heidelberg Hbf at 11:13 AM and then continue with subway S5 (direction Eppingen) at 12:01 PM to Heidelberg-Altstadt. The guided tour in Heidelberg will start at 1:00 PM.
• Venue: Heidelberg
• Cost: 10 € per person for the guided tour. No train ticket is included in this price.

  • If you have a Deutschlandticket, you can use it.

  • If you do not have a Deutschlandticket, a single train ticket from Karlsruhe to Heidelberg-Altstadt currently costs around €12,30 one way.
    The same applies for the return journey (local train, no ICE).

• Registration: Registration required. Please also register any friends, colleagues or children that you plan to bring along in a separate form (for organizational reasons). 

We are looking forward to meeting you!

If questions arise, please write us an e-mail. 
Please feel free to share this offer among your network!

IScO Excursion: Where should we go next?

We’re currently planning our next IScO excursion for August 2025—and we want to hear your ideas! The destination should be within two hours by regional train from Karlsruhe, reasonably priced (no ICE or long-distance trains), and suitable for a relaxed and safe group activity.

An IScO excursion is not just about sightseeing—it’s an opportunity to learn more about German culture, society, and history, to experience new places together with fellow international researchers, and to take a short break from academic life.

Possible ideas could include:

• A visit to Baden-Baden, with a walk through the historic old town and the parks of the Lichtentaler Allee.
• A hike through the Black Forest, starting from Bad Herrenalb or Bühl—easy and scenic routes only, no risky or extreme activities.
• A museum in Freiburg, combining regional history, sustainability topics, and time to explore the vibrant student town.

The trip will take place outside the university.

Have an idea? Let us know which places you’d love to explore this summer. We’re looking forward to your suggestions—and maybe we’ll turn one of them into our next excursion!

If questions arise, please write us an e-mail. 
Please feel free to share this offer among your network!

Events organized by the KIT Research Office 

Tuesday, June 24, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Criteria for a good DFG Proposal

In this online seminar, the KIT Research Office (FOR) will present key principles of DFG funding. A KIT professor will share insights from her experience as both a DFG reviewer and applicant. The session offers targeted guidance on DFG Individual Research Grants and insights into the review process to help align your proposal effectively.

Location: Online | Information Session

International Excellence Talk: Urban Forestry in Service to Society and Education - Building Mutual Pathways of Learning by Colleen Murphy Dunning, Yale School of Environment (YSE), USA

As International Excellence Fellow of KIT, Colleen Murphy-Dunning presents the community-based urban forestry model of the Urban Resources Initiative in New Haven, Connecticut, as the subject of her International Excellence Talk.

The Urban Resources Initiative (URI) based at the Yale School of the Environment engages Yale students in a community-driven urban forestry approach to plant trees, restore green spaces, and invest in green infrastructure in New Haven, CT. Colleen Murphy-Dunning will discuss their model of community-centered urban forestry as both an educational opportunity and means of substantive local partnership with local government and civil society. The cornerstone of URI’s approach is listening and responding to community identified needs, such as responding to a call for employment and creating a garden of healing to counter the pain of gun violence. Central to this work are environmental stressors such as stormwater-related flooding and urban heat islands, which disproportionately affect underserved neighborhoods.

Event details:

• Date: June 30, 2025
• Time: 09:45 AM  to 12:00 AM (CEST)
• Location: Seminar Room 418, ITAS-KIT, Karlstr. 11, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany or join with Zoom
• Language: English
• Registration: Registration is not required for this event.

If you have any questions, please contact Elena Pfeifer.

Ethics in the Lab. A Workshop on Scientific Misconduct and How to Avoid it (online)

Are you a doctoral researcher or postdoc at KIT—or a member of an EPICUR university—interested in conducting successful research without compromising on ethical standards? This online workshop offered by Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS) will equip you with tools to navigate common dilemmas in academic research and recognize scientific misconduct before it happens.

What to expect:

• A 4-hour online session addressing real-life conflicts in research practice (e.g. “data massaging”, power imbalances, misconduct by colleagues)
• Practical discussions based on realistic case studies
• Tools and strategies to make ethically sound decisions in competitive research environments
• Skills to reflect on your scientific role in a broader societal context
• Pre-workshop activities (approx. 3–4 hours) to prepare for active participation

This workshop will show that successful research and ethical conduct are not contradictory—but mutually reinforcing.

Event details

• Date & Time: Friday, 11 July 2025, 9:00–13:00
• Venue: Online (platform details will be provided after registration)
• Language: English
• Costs: Covered by KHYS for its members and for participants from EPICUR universities
• Registration: Online Registration is required
• Target group: Doctoral researchers and postdocs at KIT or EPICUR universities

If you are unable to attend a session, please inform the organizers via e-mail so others may take your place.

If you have further questions, please contact Nadine Civilotti, Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS), via e-mail.

Busting Jargon – Tactics for Comprehensible Communication in Science (two-day online workshop)

Are you a researcher who wants to communicate complex scientific ideas more clearly and effectively to diverse audiences? This interactive seminar, by Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS), focuses on practical tools to make your research more accessible—whether you're writing a grant proposal, speaking at a conference, or sharing your work with the public.

What to expect:

• Learn how to tailor your communication for audiences with different backgrounds and levels of prior knowledge
• Discover techniques to reduce jargon and make technical language accessible
• Explore how to create engaging papers, posters, and presentations that are easily understood
• Get practical tips on how AI tools like ChatGPT can support you in simplifying complex messages
• Improve your overall scientific communication in writing and speaking

Event details

• Date & Time: Mondays, 29 September and 6 October 2025, 9:00 AM –12:30 AM
• Venue: Online (platform details will be provided after registration)
• Language: English
• Costs: Covered by KHYS for its members
• Registration: Online registration is required
• Target group: Doctoral researchers and postdocs at KIT

If you are unable to attend a session, please inform the organizers via e-mail so others may take your place.

If you have further questions, please contact Dr. Claire Earnshaw, Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS), via e-mail.

E-Learning Courses: FIT-Career Modules

Expand your academic and professional skill set with the ongoing FIT-Career modules offered by Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS). The modules are designed specifically for doctoral researchers and postdocs. These workshops offer valuable insights into publishing, science communication, industry, and leadership.

Available Courses: 

Module: Getting Published
Language: English
Target Group: Doctoral researchers and postdocs

Module: Basics of Science Communication
Language: German and English
Target Group: Doctoral researchers and postdocs

Module: Conferences, Presenting and Networking. Communicating Your Research with Impact
Language: English
Target Group: Doctoral researchers and postdocs

Module: Short-Cuts to Industry: Initial Insights into Communication
(including Moderating, Negotiations, Storytelling etc.)
Language: German and English
Target Group: Doctoral researchers and postdocs

Module: Short-Cuts to Industry: Initial Insights into Management Methods
(including Project Managing, Design Thinking etc.)
Language: German and English
Target Group: Doctoral researchers and postdocs

Module: Short-Cuts to Industry: Initial Insights into Leadership
(including New to the Leadership Role, Giving Feedback, Team Development etc.)
Language: German and English
Target Group: Doctoral researchers and postdocs

Learn more about the E-Learning Courses of the KHYS.  

Shut Up and Write! (10-week on-site writing course)

Are you a doctoral researcher or postdoc at KIT looking for dedicated time and space to make real progress on your academic writing? "Shut Up and Write!"offers a quiet, structured environment to help you stay focused and productive—whether you're working on a paper, grant proposal, or dissertation chapter.

What to expect:

• Weekly 90-minute writing sessions in a quiet, focused atmosphere
• Every other week: 15-minute expert input on topics such as writing strategies, time management, or overcoming blocks
• Optional one-on-one coaching sessions (35 minutes) to discuss writing challenges, structure, or clarity
• A space to strengthen your personal writing habits and gain momentum on your project

This is not an academic writing course—it’s a practical support format to help you get words on the page, reflect on your own process, and move your project forward.

Event details

• Date & Time: Mondays, from September 8 to November 10, 2025 from 8:00 – 9:30 Am
• Venue: Language Center (Sprachenzentrum), Room R114, KIT Campus South
• Language: English
• Costs: Covered by KHYS for its members
• Registration: Online registration is required. Due to high demand, you will be placed on a waiting list and notified if a spot becomes available.

If you are unable to attend a session, please inform the organziers via e-mail so others may take your place.

If you have further questions, please contact Dr. Claire Earnshaw, Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS), via e-mail.

Aspirant Grant (Doctoral Researcher/Postdoc) by Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS) 

Asprirant Grant (Doc/Postdoc) enables KIT professors and research group leaders to invite promising scientists who are interested in doing research at KIT as a doctorate researcher/postdoc in the near future to spend one month on-site. During the visit, both parties receive the chance to get to know each other and to discuss the possibility of doing a doctorate/postdoc at KIT. The funding measure is part of the KHYS Postdoc Office and is sponsored by the Initiative and Networking Fund of the Helmholtz Association.

Target group: KIT professors and research group leaders

Funding: KHYS will cover the travel and accommodation expenses for the aspirant’s stay

Deadline: Applications for both measures may be handed in anytime as long as funds are available.

Contact: Denisa Kicmerova (KHYS)

Please feel free to share this offer among your network!

Events in Karlsruhe

Do you want to get in touch with other English Speaking people?:

• English-Speaking Meetup Group: Monthly Stammtisch, plus hikes and concerts. The June Stammtisch is on Tuesday, June 10th at Wolfsbräu am Werderplatz in Karlsruhe. Anyone can participate or organize, but it helps the organizers if you sign up first – and remove your name if you can no longer attend!
• American Library Karlsruhe: Events in English for kids and adults. For adults:  LitNight (June 3 & 17), New(s) Views (June 17), MovieTalk (June 11), Poetry?Please! (June 24). For kids and teens:  Storytime in English for Kids 3 to 5 (June 11 and 25 at 4 pm), Reading Time (Age 6 & Up) (June 27), TeenTime (June 27).
• Karlsruhe Toastmasters: Practice public speaking in English every 1st, 3rd, and 5th Monday (7:15–9:15 PM) in a friendly, supportive setting.

Do you want to improve your German?:

• Sprecht miteinander! Speak with each other!: Practice your spoken German in a relaxed atmosphere. People of similar language ability form groups moderated by a volunteer. Free and no registration required. Wednesdays and Fridays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at the Bürgerzentrum Mühlburg (BZM), Weinbrennerstr. 79a, 76185 Karlsruhe.
• The IBZ offers practice in speaking German via Skype on Mondays and in person on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Read more about the offer.
• Other opportunities to practice speaking in German can be found on the  Integration page of the City of Karlsruhe. 

What events are coming up in Karlsruhe?:

• June 27 - 29 — Hafen-Kultur-Fest (Harbor Festival) in Karlsruhe. The city is built around the castle, but the Rhine river isn't far away with an industrial port and boats. The three-day fest celebrates with food, music and boat rides.
• June 27 - 30 – 103rd Lindenblütenfest at the Gutenbergplatz in Karlsruhe. Music, events for kids, food and drink.
• June 28 — East Side Urban Art. Through September, the Oststadt part of town is presenting street art, graffiti, and sculptures in public and private spaces. Start is on June 28th.
• June 28 & 29 — 11. Grötzinger Kulturmeile. The Grötzingen neighborhood of Karlsruhe is also known as the Malerdorf (village of painters). You can enjoy music, art and food.
• June 29 - August 5 — Zeltival is the summer festival at Tollhaus. Great bands and performances - some internationally known, some newcomers - make for a great mix in a relaxed atmosphere.
  
  

Online Consultation with the Head of the Helmholtz Office in Beijing 

This offer is aimed exclusively at researchers and employees of the KIT.

The head of our Helmholtz office in Beijing, Dr. Hong He, will be offering an online information series for all interested parties at the Helmholtz centers from September. As part of this series of events, he will share current impressions from China and information on relevant science policy developments. The format is also explicitly intended to promote a trusting exchange on practical issues and current challenges of bilateral cooperation.

We would therefore like to encourage you to send Dr. He questions, suggestions for topics or concrete case studies in advance of the dates that you are currently working on at your center and which can then be discussed together during the sessions. We apply ‘Chatham House’ rules.

The following dates are planned until the end of the year:

• Wednesday 02, July 2025

Zoom-dial-up data:

Time: 2nd July 2025 10:00 - 11:00 AM CET
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting-ID: 633 2674 6200
Passcode: 793590

Info Talks on DFG Funding Opportunities for Research Careers

Germany’s largest independent research funding organisation offers funding opportunities for all career stages between doctorate and professorship. Join their online talk and get to know the DFG and its funding portfolio for postdocs. PhD candidates and postdocs of all disciplines are welcome to join!

Upcoming talks in the Prospects Series (in english):

• 18/07/2025, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. CET – Emmy Noether Program 
• 15/09/2025, 02:00 - 03:30 p.m. CET – DFG Funding Opportunities for Postdocs 
• 11/12/2025, 04:00 - 05:30 p.m. CET – DFG Funding Opportunities for Postdocs 

Please check this DFG Website for updates on the individual talks.

Transferable Skills Course: How to Survive Your First International Conference at University of Basel 

This online course, "How to Survive Your First International Conference", is designed to help PhD students and postdocs master the art of scientific presentation and effective networking. It provides essential tips and strategies for navigating the complexities of international conferences, enabling students to engage confidently with peers, present their research successfully, and expand their professional network. Take advantage of psychological principles of perception that can improve the clarity of your slides and the impact of your talk.

Who can apply?
Doctoral candidates and postdocs of all Eucor & EPICUR universities

Timeline:

• Date: November 17 and 19, 2025, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Location: The course will take place online via Zoom
• Language: English
• Costs: No participation fee
• Registration: Online Registration is required until October 17, 2025

Learn more about the offer on the Fact Sheet.
For further questions, you can contact grace@unibas.ch.

HUMANE Study Visit Southeast Asia 2025

Driving Success: Strategic Innovation through Transformative Leadership in Southeast Asian Universities

This exclusive study visit offers senior university leaders the opportunity to explore how Southeast Asia’s dynamic economic and social transformations are influencing higher education. The focus is on strategic development, internationalisation, and universities' role in regional talent strategies.

Event Details:

• Date: November 9–14, 2025
• Location: Malaysia (University of Nottingham Malaysia) & Singapore (St. Gallen Institute of Management in Asia)
• Language: English
• Target Group: Senior leaders and professionals in higher education
• Costs: €3,950 (HUMANE members) / €4,450 (non-members)
• Registration: Online registration required

Program Highlights:

• Strategic positioning of universities in the ASEAN region
• Transnational education as a driver of innovation and growth
• Industry-university collaboration for talent development
• Campus visits to institutions such as Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
• Insights into national policy visions such as Singapore’s “Smart Nation” strategy

The detailed program is available on the HUMANE website.

Important Information:

• Confirmation of participation will be sent in late spring 2025. Please do not book travel or accommodation before receiving official confirmation.
• Participants join at their own risk. HUMANE is not responsible for personal loss or damages during the visit.
• Cancellation policy:
• No fee before September 24, 2025
• 50% fee from September 25 to October 8, 2025
• 100% fee after October 9, 2025

Learn more about HUMANE Study Visit Southeast Asia 2025.
For further information, please contact HUMANE via e-mail.

Congress Travel Program by DAAD 

With funding from the Federal Foreign Office, the program promotes active participation in international scientific congresses and conferences abroad (in person and online). Active participation is encouraged. Active participation is defined as the presentation of one's own scientific contribution (poster, lecture or panel).

Target group: Postdoctoral researchers and doctoral candidates. 

Scholarship benefits:
Depending on the travel distance, you can choose from four categories of funding with different funding benefits: 

• Online participation
• Presence short distance (up to 600 km as the crow flies, excluding the United Kingdom)
• Presence medium distance (601 - 3,700 km as the crow flies, plus the United Kingdom)
• Long-haul presence (from 3,700 km as the crow flies)

These funding categories are designed to make it easier for you to participate in a climate-friendly congress.

Learn more about the Congress Travel Program by DAAD (only available in German).

Helmholtz Associate Postdoc Network (HAPN)

The network warmly invites all Helmholtz postdocs to become active members of HAPN.

Working Group 1 Communications – Responsible for fostering open communication within HAPN and with the broader Helmholtz community, ensuring postdocs stay informed about resources, initiatives, and relevant developments.

Working Group 2 Networking – Focused on building connections and organizing events that support collaboration and knowledge-sharing across institutes including career centers and Helmholtz Juniors (HeJus), as well as connecting with external organizations.

Working Group 3 Perspectives – Committed to enhancing the postdoc experience by advocating for fruitful career pathways, effective development opportunities, and consistent standards across Helmholtz Centers.

Join HAPN to build a strong, connected, and supportive network for all Helmholtz postdocs.

For further questions, you can contact HAPN via e-mail.  

DFG Information for the scientific communitiy 

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) continues to support researchers who have fled their home countries. The aim is to enable their short-term integration into the German research system so that they can continue their academic work.

Target group: Doctoral researchers who fled their home country in the last three years can apply for a Walter Benjamin Fellowship.

Funding:

• Gain experience at a German academic institution by supervising a research project to establish a foundation for advancing in the German academic system.
• Receive individual career support from the host institution.
• Integrate into ongoing projects in various DFG funding programs.

Special Program Ukraine:

The DFG is extending the Special Program Ukraine until further notice. Through this funding opportunity, Ukrainian researchers (project leaders) who are in Ukraine and whose research is still possible can receive special support. You can find more information on the Special Program Ukraine here.

Learn more about the program on the DFG Website. 

Funding for Scholars at Risk by the Philipp Schwartz Initiative

What?
The Philipp Schwartz Initiative, coordinated by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and funded by the Federal Foreign Office and private foundations, enables researchers at risk due to war or persecution to continue their academic work at a host institution in Germany.

The initiative supports scholars whose research careers have been interrupted by threats, exile, or displacement—helping them regain academic perspectives.
KIT has actively supported and hosted scholars through this program since its launch in 2016.

When?
Grants can start as of January 1, 2026
Selection results are expected by end of November 2025

What does the funding include?

• Full funding for up to 24 months
• Possibility of a 12-month extension (co-financed)
• Ongoing support from IScO for hosts and fellows (including administrative matters)

Who can apply?
Researchers cannot apply individually.
Nominations must be submitted by a German university or research institution. At KIT, nominations are coordinated by the International Scholars & Welcome Office (IScO) and decided upon by an internal board.

If you are considering nominating a scholar at risk, please contact IScO as early as possible, as a risk assessment via Scholars at Risk or Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA) must be initiated in advance. For Afghan and Ukrainian nominees, a personal risk report is sufficient.

Internal procedures at KIT are outlined at Internal nomination process (KIT Intranet) (login required).

Internal KIT deadline: July 30, 2025

How to apply?
Submit proposals via e-mail.

For further questions, please contact Oliver Kaas.

Innovators Connect – Tandem 2025 Call For Applications

What?
Two weeks immersion programme for young researchers interested in start-up founding and early-stage start-up founders from India and Germany.
Participants will work in teams to generate innovative ideas, undergo training for bringing
research ideas to market and get exposure to start-up and innovation ecosystems of India and Germany. The programme will include design thinking workshops, information sessions, mentoring, networking sessions, lab visits and more.

Where?
India – Hyderabad and Bengaluru

When?
November, 10 to November 20, 2025

Who can apply?

• Applicants from India: with a PhD (ongoing or completed) / Postdocs (PhD not older than four years) with a lab to market idea and registered (full time) at any of the partner institutions* of the programme OR Early stage-start-up founders (less than two years of incorporation) with minimum bachelor’s degree and preferably a master’s degree incubated onsite at one of the partner institutions
• Applicants from Germany: with a PhD (ongoing or completed) / Postdocs (PhD not older than four years) with a lab to market idea and currently affiliated with a university, university of applied sciences or a research institution in Germany OR Early-stage start-up team members/ early-stage start-up founders (not more than 2 years of
  founding) with minimum bachelor’s degree and preferably a master’s degree affiliated with a university, university of applied sciences or a research institution in Germany

What does the funding include?
Travel and accommodation for participants is supported by DWIH New Delhi and its partners

Deadline: July 13, 2025

You can apply online.

For further information, please write an e-mail to Aadishree Jamkhedkar, Head of Programmes.

MRSEI 2025 - Setting up European or International Scientific Networks (MRSEI) by the French National Research Agency (ANR)

Who can apply?
Researchers based at French laboratories who want to build or lead a transnational research network. Open to all disciplines. The goal: prepare a proposal for a major European or international call (e.g. Horizon Europe).

What does the funding include?
€36,000 over 24 months to set up your scientific network (no research funding included).

Why apply?
Simplified application, fast funding decisions, and support to lead ambitious collaborative projects.

Deadline: September 2025

For further questions, please write an e-mail to Manuella Werp.

Université Franco-Allemande (UFA) – Deutsch-Französische Hochschule (DFH) 

Different funding opportunities for double degrees*, PhD-Track programs*, preparatory meetings, doctoral colleges*, joint PhDs*, scientific events, Franco-German chairs.

Some of the funding mechanisms are open all the year.

Learn more about the calls in German or French.
For further questions, please write an e-mail to Manuella Werp.

Ambassade de France en Allemagne / DAAD

Procope: Franco-German Partenariat Hubert Curien (PHC)

Annual call for proposals supporting the mobility for scientific and technological cooperation between French and German research laboratories. All scientific fields are concerned by this program.

Deadline: July 2nd, 2025

Learn more about the procope program: Campus France  /  DAAD.
For further questions, please write an e-mail to Manuella Werp.

DAAD-Postdoc-Program PRIME – Call for Applications 

The DAAD PRIME program supports postdoctoral researchers who aim to build a long-term career in Germany by funding international mobility and reintegration. 

Who can apply?
Postdocs from all disciplines with above-average qualifications who have completed their doctorate before the start of funding. There are no restrictions regarding nationality or current residence, though destination countries may be limited based on individual status.

What is funded?
An 18-month full employment contract with a German university, including a 12-month research stay abroad followed by a 6-month reintegration phase in Germany. The stay abroad may include multiple host institutions and countries. Integration into the German social security system is required.

Timeline:

• Deadline: 29 August 2025
• Selection: February 2026
• Start of funding: Between 1 June and 1 November 2026

You can apply via the DAAD scholarship database by selecting your subject, host country, and “Programme für: Promovierte”.

Learn more about the DAAD Postdoc Programme PRIME.
For further questions, you can write an e-mail to Brid Schenkl.

Eucor - Seed Money 2025

Eucor – The European Campus supports cross-border teaching and research projects between the five Upper Rhine universities through its Seed Money program.

Who can apply?
Projects researchers from at least two Eucor member universities
in at least two different countries. Projects already receiving national or international funding are not eligible.

The annual call offers two funding lines:

• Teaching
• Research, Innovation & Transfer – also open to doctoral training projects

What does the funding include?
Maximum funding per project €60,000.

Deadline: September 8, 2025, 5:00 PM (CEST).
 
For any inquiries, you can contact Felicitas Proksch.

EPICUR Seed Funding

Got a collaborative research idea? EPICUR might fund it. The 2025 edition of the Seed Funding Scheme is now open!

Who can apply?
This seed funding scheme supports the development of ideas for research cooperation, proofs of concept, and collaborative joint research projects, in any scientific field.
Projects aligned with EPICUR's priority areas are especially encouraged. Open to researchers affiliated to one of EPICUR partner universities.

What does the funding include?
Up to 150.000€!

Deadline: September 4, 2025, 23:59 (CET)

Scholarship program of the Baden-Württemberg State Parliament 

Who can apply?

• All Baden-Württemberg higher education institutions. They can apply for funding for students, early-stage researchers and interns who are planning a stay in Baden-Württemberg or Israel in the scope of partnerships between higher education institution, as well as for study trips and events in this context.
• Students must be enrolled full-time at a higher education institution in Baden-Württemberg or Israel.
• Interns are eligible to apply if they are enrolled full-time at a higher education institution in Baden-Württemberg or Israel.

Funding can be requested for the following purposes:

• for studies, research projects and internships abroad of one to six months (including examination periods, provided that credits for examinations are recognized at the home institution),
• for events (workshops, symposia, conferences, etc.) and
• for study trips. 

If the application is approved, funding will be provided in 2025.

Deadline: June 16, 2025, but the call remains open until the budget is exhausted.

Application Process:
The application documents must be submitted via e-mail by the higher education institution’s rectorate or central administration with reference to the “Scholarship program of the Baden-Württemberg State Parliament”.

If you have any questions regarding the call for applications, please contact Ms. Mareen Knappe.

Azrieli International Fellowships Call for Applications

Postdoctoral Fellowship: Azrieli International 2026–27

The fellowship supports exceptional postdocs across all disciplines at Israeli academic institutions. Fellows receive a monthly stipend of 14,000 ILS for a duration of up to three years.

Who can apply?

• PhD awarded on or after Nov 1, 2022 (except in Israel).
• PhD candidates eligible if defense is completed by June 1, 2026.
• No academic degrees (BA, MA, PhD) from Israeli institutions allowed. Exception: former visiting or exchange students.
• Not eligible if a postdoc or academic position in Israel began before Sep 1, 2025.

Applications open on September 1, 2025, and close on November 19, 2025.

Please note that candidates for the fellowship must secure an academic sponsor in Israel before applying.

DAAD - ERA Fellowships: Green Hydrogen 

The DAAD scholarship program “ERA Fellowships – Green Hydrogen” provides support for German and international PhD students and postdocs working on topics related to Green Hydrogen. It funds studies, research, and internships both in Germany and internationally.

The following funding program's are available:

• PhD students: Funding for research or training projects on Green Hydrogen at universities, research institutes, or companies (including self-organized internships). Further Information can be found on this Website.
• PostDocs: Research fellowships provide funding for a research stay abroad or a part of a research project. Further Information can be found on this Website.

Who can apply?:

• PhD students currently enrolled in a German university, university of applied sciences, or non-university research institutions) 
• PostDocs (currently conducting research in Germany) interested in Green Hydrogen topics can apply. 

Participants will engage in one of four working groups: Production, Transport and Infrastructure, Market Stimulation (development of the hydrogen market), or Cross-Cutting Issues (regulation, socio-economic, and legal frameworks).

Duration of the funding:

• for PhD students: 1 to 18 months for research fellowships and 2 to 3 months for internships.
• for PostDocs: 1 to 18 months.

If you are interested you can apply directly through the DAAD scholarship database. 

Henriette Herz Scouting Program by Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

Have you long since made a name for yourself in your discipline? Or are you at the beginning of a promising executive research career? Are you also well-connected internationally and have already mentored junior researchers?

Then the Henriette Herz Scouting Program could be the right one for you. They specifically want to recruit researchers as scouts who already have their own international network and would like to expand their team to include an excellent Humboldt Research Fellow. 

Two program lines invite applications from both up-and-coming academics, who are (junior) professors or group leaders, as well as established researchers.