Philosopher and literary scholar Walter Benjamin(1892–1940) is one of the most renowned
representatives of his disciplines in the 20th century.
Despite a doctorate assessed as summa cum laude
in 1919, he did not pursue a typical career path inacademia. He withdrew his habilitation thesis asothers judged the work as too unorthodox for theacademic domain.

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
German Research Foundation
Kennedyallee 40 · 53175 Bonn
Phone: + 49 228 885-1
Fax:+ 49 228 885-27 77
info-nachwuchs@dfg.de
www.dfg.de

DFG Links
Additional information on the programme and theproposal process can be found on the DFG website at:www.dfg.de/walter_benjamin/en
Today, Walter Benjamin is highly regarded for hisvisionary oeuvre including ”The Work of Art in theAge of Mechanical Reproduction“, ”On the Conceptof History“ and his work on Charles Baudelaire.
During National Socialism in Germany, he fled fromthe Nazis and committed suicide in exile in 1940. The
DFG programme bears the name of an open-minded,
gifted intellectual with many interests who is famousfor pushing boundaries.

To find your DFG programme contact, please visit:www.dfg.de/en/dfg_profile/head_office/structure/dfg_contacts

EnglishPhotos: Günther Heinemann, Ronny Richter, László Székelyhidi; August 2019

Contact

Design: Michaela Dreike/DFG

An Exceptional Visionary

Walter Benjamin
Programme
Starting Your Research Career

The Future Before Your Eyes

Mobility, Independence andCareer Support

You have completed your doctorate and you would
like to continue your career in research?
Right now, it is important that you have clear-cut plans
and ideas for the next stages of your academic career.
Mobility and the further development of your research are
key elements for that endeavour.

Proposal Process and Funding

There is no formal age limit for submitting proposals, yet
only postdoctoral researchers at an early career phaseare eligible to apply to this programme. Periods of family
responsibilities are taken into account.
In the Walter Benjamin Programme, funding is provided
as a position in Germany and as a fellowship abroad tocover maintenance. You will also receive a project costs
allowance. Your host institute needs to provide you withworking space and any additionally required project
costs.

If you are aiming at an academic career, the DFG‘s WalterBenjamin Programme offers you excellent opportunities
to develop an independent research profile with your own
project at an early stage.

The funding provided by the Walter Benjamin Programmeallows you to pursue your own independent research project at the location of your choice.
You can decide whether you choose a research institutionin Germany or abroad. There is also the option to combine
stays at different places. It is important that you selecta host institution with the best setting for your researchidea. As mobility is particularly important in the early postdoctoral phase, you should move on to another academic
environment.
If your proposal for the Walter Benjamin Programme is successful, you can focus on your research topic and, whererequired, take advantage of support to prepare you for thenext stages of your academic career.

In Germany, you also need a statement from a researcher from your future host institution outlining the way
he or she will individually support you in your careeradvancement and integrate you into local academic networks.
The review process for your proposal will focus on yourprevious research profile and your potential for an academic career, as well as your research project.