Walter Benjamin Programme postdoctoral research funding in Germany or abroad German Research Foundation in Germany

The German Research Foundation (DFG) is inviting applications through the Walter Benjamin Programme for early-career postdoctoral researchers who want to design and lead their own independent research project.

This programme supports research carried out at a host institution in Germany or abroad. In Germany, funding is provided as a postdoctoral position; abroad, it is provided as a fellowship. The funding period is usually up to 24 months.

The call is especially relevant for researchers seeking postdoctoral research funding, research mobility, and a stronger independent academic profile. The programme emphasizes changing institutions and developing a distinct research trajectory.

Funding may include direct project costs, travel expenses, publication costs, and, where applicable, increased publication costs. For fellowship holders, additional allowances may apply, including foreign allowances, cost-of-living support, travel allowance, and benefits for researchers with children. Family-related benefits and location-based allowances may also be available.

Eligibility highlights: applicants must be in an early postdoctoral career phase. For fellowships abroad, additional rules apply: applicants must normally have a strong connection to the German academic research system and must not have spent more than one year at the proposed host institution by the time of application. The host institution must be able to administer the fellowship according to DFG requirements.

Application timing: there is no fixed annual deadline; proposals may be submitted at any time.

Institution: German Research Foundation (DFG)

Research area: open across disciplines, depending on the applicant’s project and host institution.