Postdocs | Funding and research stays abroad
Financial support for your research project
Research projects not only require time and commitment, but also monetary resources. Scholarships and funding programmes provide financial support and often offer additional idealistic support. At the same time, they are a visible recognition of your outstanding research achievements.
We have compiled information for you on this website on funding programmes for postdocs with links to common databases for more in-depth research on your own.
Financial support at the UDE
UDE Postdoc Seed Funding
Are you doing research at the UDE and striving for an academic career? Would you like to realize your own research project but still need time and resources to prepare your grant proposal? The UDE-internal Postdoc Seed Funding programme supports postdoctoral researchers in this phase with initial funding of up to 30,000 euros. Applications are possible twice a year.
Gottschalk-Diederich-Baedeker-Preis
The UDE-internal Gottschalk-Diederich-Baedeker-Preis is awarded for outstanding work that addresses topics of high relevance and which achieves excellence in the field of research and technology transfer. The award is endowed with 5,000 euros.
Reimbursement of costs for child care needs in special situations
The so-called "Feuerwehrtopf" provides financial aid for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers with children who need short-term childcare due to a sudden emergency situation.
Funding opportunities through the IZfB
The Interdisciplinary Center for Educational Research (IZfB) offers several funding opportunities, including start-up financing and funding to attend conferences.
University Library: Open Access Funding
Did you know? The University Library supports Open Access publications (journals, monographs, and collective works – except doctoral theses) by paying publication fees.
Information on eligibility criteria and the scope of funding can be found on the University Library website.
Third-party funding opportunities at a glance
Current announcements
Here you can find current calls for proposals, e.g., for scholarships, awards, and sponsored research stays abroad.
Overview of third-party funding programmes
Here you will find an overview of selected funding programmes from foundations, ministries, and associations, for example for setting up your own research group.
Personal counselling
Do you wish for a personal consultation? Please make an appointment with Simon Kresmann. Depending on your needs, you might be refered to one of our colleagues from the Science Support Center.
Grant databases
Grant databases are an important research tool when looking for a suitable grant for your project.
Links to relevant databases
- CORDIS
Information on EU research programmes and grants
- DAAD: Fördermöglichkeiten für Forschung im Ausland
Database of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) on funding opportunities for research abroad.
- DAAD: Stipendien für Forschung von Ausländer*innen in Deutschland
Database of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) on scholarships for researchers from abroad.
- EURAXESS Funding Search
EURAXESS includes databases of job opportunities and funding opportunities for researchers, as well as information and resources on career development.
- FastWeb
Free search for US scholarship providers.
- Forschen-Fördern
Herbert Worch Foundation database of awards and funding for research in Medicine and the Natural Sciences.
- Förderdatenbank des Bundes
Up-to-date overview of federal, state, and European Union funding programmes.
- GEPRIS
Database of current DFG-funded research projects.
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
Database on funding programmes offered by the EU.
- mystipendium.de
This scholarship database enables, among other things, a targeted search for doctoral scholarships.
Research in Germany
The Research in Germany portal offers a comprehensive overview of funding opportunities in Germany and publications on selected funding programmes of the most relevant research funding institutions for German and international researchers.
Research stays abroad
Do you want to spend a certain period of time in a foreign country during your postdoc? Here you will find links to selected funding programmes and contacts at the UDE:
- ERASMUS+ Personalmobilität for short stays (2–60 days) at European partner universities, e.g. participation in workshops or language courses
- ERASMUS+ Gastdozentur at European partner universities (duration 2–60 days)
- Info event: International week of the Internationl Office
- Info event: International Researchers Days of the Welcome Service
- Announcements and events within the Aurora universities network
Coming from abroad to the UDE
Welcome Service
Are you planning a postdoc stay at the UDE? The Welcome Service is your main contact for international researchers and supports you in preparing your research stay at our university.
NRW Return Program (NRW-Rückkehrprogramm)
With the programme to promote the return of highly qualified researchers from abroad of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (so-called NRW Return Program), the responsible Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia regularly supports the establishment of junior research groups with up to 1.25 million euros/group. Are you currently conducting research abroad and would like to establish a junior research group at the UDE? Find out more about the current call for proposals!
Research Explorer Ruhr
Have you recently completed your doctorate and would like to explore the research landscape of the University Alliance Ruhr? Join our next Research Explorer Ruhr, a summer programme for international postdocs! During a two-week stay on-site, you will meet your host researchers, explore the labs and research facilities of our universities, and work intensively on a potential third-party funding proposal.