DFG Heisenberg Programme Guidelines.pdf

1 Objective
Outstanding researchers who meet all the requirements for appointment to a long-term professorship are to be given the opportunity to continue preparing for an academic leadership position and work on advanced research topics. When you are accepted into the Heisenberg Programme, you can choose from four different types of funding or combine them as needed, provided the relevant requirements are met: Heisenberg position (II 2.1), Heisenberg temporary substitute position for clinicians (II 2.2), Heisenberg professorship (II. 2.3) and Heisenberg fellowship (II. 2.4).

2 Eligibility
The Heisenberg Programme is directed primarily at those researchers who have qualified for professorship via the Emmy Noether Programme (or comparable group leader positions), DFG staff positions, private-sector research or mid-level faculty positions. The target group also includes junior professors who have had a positive interim evaluation, persons who hold a post-doctoral lecturing qualification (Habilitation), persons who can provide evidence of an equivalent to a post-doctoral lecturing qualification, and returnees from abroad or foreign researchers who wish to work in Germany, are suitably qualified, and are not yet employed as a full professor at their current institution.

3 Proposals
Proposals may be submitted to the DFG at any time. Submissions must follow the applicable instructions (DFG form 54.02). The format and deadline for proposals are not specified.

4 Duration
The funding duration is generally five years. Funding is initially awarded for a three-year period and may be offered for another two years. An evaluation is carried out at the end of the third year on the basis of an interim report, which should be submitted to the DFG after approximately 30 to 32 months of funding. If the evaluation is successful, all of the remaining funding can be claimed.

5 General provisions
Within the scope of the Heisenberg Programme, you initially request a Heisenberg grant. If accepted into the Heisenberg Programme, you can select from the funding types described below to achieve the programme objective. At the time of proposal submission, no binding statements are required from the admitting institution. However, at an early stage before submitting the proposal, please clarify with the admitting institution the option of temporary employment for the desired funding period and other relevant conditions.

6 Heisenberg Grants
1 General provisions
Within the scope of the Heisenberg Programme, you initially request a Heisenberg grant. If accepted into the Heisenberg Programme, you can select from the funding types described below to achieve the programme objective.

2 Heisenberg position
With the Heisenberg position, funding is provided for your post and flexible research. With the Heisenberg position, which is integrated into the host institution, you can conduct research at an academic institution in Germany or a German academic institution in another country. Other international stays to pursue the objectives of the Heisenberg Programme are generally only possible for up to a third of the total funding duration.

3 Heisenberg temporary substitute position for clinicians
With the Heisenberg temporary substitute position, funding is provided for a replacement to cover your normal duties and for flexible research. Clinician scientists may apply for a temporary substitute position instead of a Heisenberg position. This option is designed to enable them to retain their clinical position and make their clinical expertise available for the purposes of research in the Heisenberg Programme on either a full-time or a part-time basis (at least 49% of a full-time position).