Research in Groups
Research in Groups
The funding format "Research in Groups" is open to scholars from all disciplines post-PhD, based in Germany and abroad. They can propose a research project to be conducted with a curated group of (preferably) international colleagues. If their collaborative application is successful, ZiF will host the group on its campus, offering ideal working conditions. There are three different group formats with varying time span and funding options.
Please find the recurring calls below.
Formats
Call Visiting Group (as PDF)
Deadline: 26 March 2026
Next deadline: 29 October 2026Call Resident Group (as PDF)
Deadline: 26 March 2026
Expected next deadline:
Spring 2027Call Long-Term Group (as PDF)
Deadline: 26 March 2026
Next deadline: 29 October 2026
Design: Büro Paschetag/C. Mehl Visiting Groups
- Duration: one stay at ZiF of 1 to 3 months
- Funding Amount: up to EUR 50,000 to cover the costs for travel and accommodation as well as workshops and conferences; personnel expenses (buy-outs) cannot be covered.
Visiting Groups can, for example, explore new research topics and partnerships, finalise interdisciplinary publications or conduct small research projects during a joint stay at ZiF.
Would you like to stay at ZiF longer? Do you need a higher funding amount? Look at our Resident and Long-Term Groups!
Design: Büro Paschetag/C. Mehl Resident Groups
- Duration: one stay at ZiF of 4 to 6 months
- Funding Amount: up to EUR 400,000 to cover the costs for travel and accommodation as well as workshops, conferences, and personnel expenses (e.g. in the form of buy-outs)
Resident Groups may conduct more extensive research projects, which require intensive collaboration over an extended period, during a joint stay at ZiF.
Additional offers for Resident Group is our Elinor Ostrom Fellowship.Would you like a shorter stay? Look at our Visiting Groups or at our Long-Term Groups for a series of coherent, interrelated meetings with several shorter visits to ZiF!
Design: Büro Paschetag/C. Mehl Long-Term Groups
- Duration: several visits to ZiF over a period of up to three years; these recurring visits may add up to a total of ten months.
- Funding Amount: up to 200,000 EUR to cover the costs for travel and accommodation as well as workshops and conferences; personnel expenses (buy-outs) cannot be covered.
Long-Term Groups offer great organisational freedom and flexibility to meet the needs of long-term projects; the set-up of the group work is based on the needs of the individual project idea. An overarching project design and coherent approach to planning the group are essential for a successful application.
Would you like to stay for longer and in a row? Look at our Visiting or Resident Groups!
Interviews with Former Convenors
Additional Offer for Resident Groups
- Elinor Ostrom Fellowship
The Elinor Ostrom Fellowship is an additional offer for partners of Resident Group fellows. The individual fellowships enable partners with a strong academic profile, starting from postdoc level, to live on ZiF campus at the same time as the fellow, to work on their own research projects and, if desired, to cooperate with colleagues at Bielefeld University. The fellowships are not thematically bound.
An Elinor Ostrom Fellowship includes funding for personnel expenses, travel expenses and accommodation in a joint ZiF flat with the partner. Up to two Elinor Ostrom Fellowships can be awarded per resident group, based on a competitive selection process. The application must be submitted at least 6 months before the start of the Resident Group.
For further questions please contact:
Dr. Daniela Noll-Opitz
Dr. Nadine Sutmöllerzif-proposalsupport@uni-bielefeld.de
