science

Participation of the Helmholtz Zentrum München in Programmes of the German Research Foundation

The German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG) promotes research in all fields of science and humanities. The cornerstones of the programme include scientific and academic excellence, promotion of young researchers, interdisciplinary approach, and international level.

Promoting research includes supporting individual projects and research cooperation, awarding prizes for outstanding research achievements, as well as funding scientific infrastructure and scientific networking.

The Helmholtz Zentrum München participates in numerous DFG-promoted research projects in collaboration with universities:

• Collaborative Research Centres (Sonderforschungsbereiche, SFB) are long-term university research centres in which scientists and researchers work together within a cross-disciplinary research programme. Collaborative Research Centres concentrate the resources, knowledge, and skills available at a university to enable comprehensive research projects to be carried out. The programme pursues the structural goal of forming core research areas at a university (‘location principle’).

• Transregional Collaborative Research Centres (SFB/TR) are Collaborative Research Centres based at up to three separate locations. The contributions made by cooperating partners must advance the joint research project by being essential, complementary, and synergistic in nature. The programme's structural goal is to develop the networking of cross-disciplinary research interests and material resources.

• Research Training Groups (Graduiertenkollegs) are university training programmes established for a specific time period to support young researchers in their pursuit of a doctorate.

• Priority Programmes (Schwerpunktprogramme) are characterised by nationwide cooperation between its participating researchers. The DFG Senate may establish Priority Programmes when the coordinated support given to the research area in question promises to produce particular scientific gain.

Overview: Participation of the Helmholtz Center Munich in programmes of the DFG