The Heisenberg Programme is named after Werner
Heisenberg (1901 – 1976), who revolutionised
physics by developing the uncertainty principle.

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
German Research Foundation
Kennedyallee 40 · 53175 Bonn, Germany
Phone: + 49 228 885-1
Fax:+ 49 228 885-2777
info-nachwuchs@dfg.de
www.dfg.de

1927
1933
1942
1946

1953

Professor of theoretical physics in Leipzig
Nobel Prize for the quantum mechanicsof solids
Director of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute forPhysics in Berlin-Dahlem
Founding director of the Max Planck
Institute for Physics in Göttingen (until 1958),
then head of the Max Planck Institute forPhysics in Munich (until 1970)
First president of the reinstituted Alexandervon Humboldt Foundation

DFG Links
Additional information on the programme, the proposal
process and contact details can be found on the DFG
website atwww.dfg.de/heisenberg/en

EnglishPhotos: Eric Lichtenscheidt/DFG, David Ausserhofer/DFG; October 2018

Contact

Design: Michaela Dreike/DFG

A Noble Name

Heisenberg Programme
On the Final Stretch
to ProfessorshipOn the Final Stretch
to Professorship

The Requirements

Proposal Process and Funding

The Heisenberg Programme gives outstanding researchers who meet the requirements for professorship but have not yet been appointed to one
the opportunity to pursue an advanced research
topic, thus enhancing their scientific credentials.

The Heisenberg Programme is aimed at researchers fromany subject area who are qualified for appointment. You
may have attained this qualification in many ways: byleading an independent junior research group, via a juniorprofessorship, via a habilitation or comparable accomplishments, or through equivalent career levels abroad. You
may also apply if you are employed abroad but have theappropriate qualifications and would like to continue yourcareer in Germany in the long-term future.

A Heisenberg proposal can be combined with a proposal for a research grant in Germany. Proposals can besubmitted at any time. Funding in the Heisenberg Programme is offered for a maximum of five years, or less if
you are appointed as a professor before this time.

In terms of scientific requirements, no distinction is madebetween the different Heisenberg grant types. The research
you propose to undertake should be high quality, innovative and internationally competitive.

Individuals accepted to the programme can choose
between four grant types:
The Heisenberg fellowship offers a high degree ofacademic independence. You select a research environment that best suits your needs and research requirements, whether in Germany or abroad.
The Heisenberg position enables you to choose alocation at a university in Germany and also allows
short- or medium-term research visits abroad.
The Heisenberg professorship offers an alternative
path to tenured professorship. The administration of auniversity in Germany must commit to continue financing the professorship after the DFG funding period hasexpired.
The Heisenberg temporary substitute position forclinicians enables researchers working in clinical practice to devote part of their time to research.

Fellowship:
Funding includes a fellowship in the amount of € 4,450
per month, a general allowance for direct project costs,
plus additional allowances and foreign allowances whereapplicable.
Position:
Funding is normally awarded for a position in accordancewith the public service sector wage agreement (TVöD orTV-L) in the E 15 compensation group. Flexible researchfunding of €1,000 per month is also provided.
Professorship:Your salary will be in line with the normal pay level for
professors in Germany. Flexible research funding of€1,000/month is also provided.
Temporary substitute position for clinicians:
This grant type provides funding for a substitute to perform your role and flexible research funding of €1,000
per month.
It is also possible to switch grant types during the courseof the funding period.