Research Funding
Targeted research funding at our university is provided through the support of the Research Office in securing third-party funding, scholarships or identifying suitable funding schemes. Research funding at European level is provided by the EU Research Office of the Universities of Education in Baden-Württemberg.
Research Department
The Research Unit supports researchers at our university in securing research funding, applying for scholarships and finding the most suitable funding scheme. In addition, the Unit develops and organises tailored training programmes for researchers at all stages of their careers.
Organisation
Karlsruhe University of Education
Building
1
Room
111
Phone
Availability
By arrangement
Organisation
Karlsruhe University of Education
Building
1
Room
111
Phone
Availability
By arrangement
Research funding schemes
As a researcher at our university, you can apply for internal funding to support your research activities. Among other things, the university supports smaller-scale research projects, the development of larger externally funded projects, publications, conferences and networking. The research funding schemes are described in the staff services section in the form of a guide and an application form.
Current calls for applications
The current calls for proposals are aimed at universities and research institutions. They are listed in order of their submission deadlines. Below, you will find calls for proposals with no specific deadline or those with recurring deadlines. The Research Department will be happy to assist you with your research and application process.
Application deadlines
- NEXT – ‘Dual Use’ of Ideas and Concepts from the Humanities and Social Sciences (Volkswagen Foundation; 6 October 2026; 2:00 pm)
- Funding for projects on the theme of ‘Sovereign innovation ecosystems for cyber security and communications technologies’ (BMFTR; 15 October 2026)
- Funding for projects on the theme ‘Safely into the digital future – a cyber-resilient society through secure, people-centred IT systems’ (BMFTR; 15 October 2026)
- Funding for projects on the theme of ‘Contemporary Jewish Studies’ (BMFTR; Funding Stream A by 9 October 2026 at the latest; for Funding Stream B by 29 October 2026 at the latest)
- High-Tech Spaces – Competition to strengthen the international competitiveness of regional innovation ecosystems, Call for Proposals A (BMFTR; expressions of interest by 10 November 2026)
- Opus Magnum (Volkswagen Foundation; 18 November 2026; 1:00 pm)
- Funding for projects on generative artificial intelligence as a subject of study in the humanities and social sciences (BMFTR; 30 November 2026 and 31 May 2028 respectively)
- Funding for projects aimed at fostering collaboration between interest groups, universities and research institutions within the funding area ‘Equal Opportunities and Diversity in Science and Research’ (BMFTR; 30 April 2027)
No application deadlines
- In-kind grants (individual projects; DFG)
- Project funding from the Fritz Thyssen Foundation in the humanities and social sciences (application deadline: 15 February / 15 September each year)
- Establishing international partnerships (DFG)
- Communicator Prize – Stifterverband Science Prize (DFG; annual call for applications)
- German-Israeli Project Collaboration (DFG)
- Walter Benjamin Programme (postdoctoral researchers at an early stage of their academic careers) (DFG)
- Joint applications with Austria and Switzerland (D-A-CH) (DFG)
- Joint application with Luxembourg (D-LUX) (DFG)
- International scientific events (DFG)
- Cooperation with developing countries (DFG)
- Cooperation in the Middle East (DFG)
- Research Networks (DFG)
- Guidelines on the funding of projects relating to international vocational training cooperation – CooperationVET (BMFTR)
- “Ladenburg Discourse”: A forum for interdisciplinary reflection on a research topic of scientific and societal relevance (Daimler and Benz Foundation)
Funding at national level
The German Research Foundation (DFG) is the leading research funding organisation in Germany. As a self-governing body within the scientific community, it selects the best research projects from the proposals submitted. The DFG administers numerous funding schemes, including individual grants, Collaborative Research Centres, Research Groups and Graduate Colleges. The ‘Individual Projects (Operating Grants)’ scheme is the most open form of research funding. Applications for research projects with clearly defined themes and timeframes can be submitted at any time. The choice of topic is entirely open. Peers in the relevant field assess the ‘quality and originality of the project’. Under this funding scheme, early-career researchers who have completed their doctorates can secure their own post.
The German Research Foundation (DFG) is the leading research funding organisation in Germany. As a self-governing body within the scientific community, it selects the best research projects from the proposals submitted. The DFG administers numerous funding schemes, including individual grants, Collaborative Research Centres, Research Groups and Graduate Colleges. The ‘Individual Projects (Operating Grants)’ scheme is the most open form of research funding. Applications for research projects with clearly defined themes and timeframes can be submitted at any time. The choice of topic is entirely open. Peers in the relevant field assess the ‘quality and originality of the project’. Under this funding scheme, early-career researchers who have completed their doctorates can secure their own post.
The Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (formerly the BMBF) regularly announces thematic funding schemes across all fields of science.
Current announcements of funding programmes and funding guidelines from the BMFTR
The Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (formerly the BMBF) regularly announces thematic funding schemes across all fields of science.
Current announcements of funding programmes and funding guidelines from the BMFTR
The state of Baden-Württemberg supports science and research within the state through numerous funding programmes.
The state of Baden-Württemberg supports science and research within the state through numerous funding programmes.
The Baden-Württemberg Foundation supports projects in three areas: research, education, and society & culture.
The Baden-Württemberg Foundation supports projects in three areas: research, education, and society & culture.
The Fritz Thyssen Foundation supports research projects, small-scale academic conferences and early-career researchers through research grants.
The funding focuses on the following areas:
- History, language and culture
- The interdisciplinary field of ‘Image–Sound–Language’
- State, Economy and Society
- Medicine and the natural sciences
The Fritz Thyssen Foundation supports research projects, small-scale academic conferences and early-career researchers through research grants.
The funding focuses on the following areas:
- History, language and culture
- The interdisciplinary field of ‘Image–Sound–Language’
- State, Economy and Society
- Medicine and the natural sciences
The Volkswagen Foundation supports research projects across all disciplines. Through a range of funding initiatives, it provides targeted impetus to the scientific community.
The Volkswagen Foundation supports research projects across all disciplines. Through a range of funding initiatives, it provides targeted impetus to the scientific community.
The DAAD is the world’s largest funding organisation for the international exchange of students and researchers at all stages of their careers.
In addition to providing individual support for mobility, it also promotes cooperation between domestic and foreign higher education institutions (e.g. in the form of summer schools or university partnerships).
The DAAD is the world’s largest funding organisation for the international exchange of students and researchers at all stages of their careers.
In addition to providing individual support for mobility, it also promotes cooperation between domestic and foreign higher education institutions (e.g. in the form of summer schools or university partnerships).
Funding at European level
The EU Unit at the Universities of Education in Baden-Württemberg offers a comprehensive service relating to research funding from the European Union.
The European Social Fund (ESF) funds projects relating to labour market policy or social policy.
Teaching and research abroad
The International Office can provide you with information on relevant funding opportunities. We maintain a wide range of international partnerships, some of which are through the Erasmus+ programme.
Organisation
Karlsruhe University of Education
Building
3
Room
117, 116
Updated on 7 October 2026 by Kordula Manegold