FAQ Research in Groups

ZiF is open to scholars from around the world. However, all applicants must have completed a doctorate and be affiliated with a research institute/university for the duration of the group.

Yes, all applicants must have completed a doctorate.

No, applicants do not have to be affiliated with Bielefeld University. However, all convenors have to be affiliated with a research institute/university. Please check the information provided for each call.

Yes, anyone post-PhD can apply as long as they meet the formal criteria.

Proposals are selected on a competitive basis. For all formats, complete and convincing submissions will be reviewed externally. For details on the timing of the decision process, please check the information provided in the respective calls.

Obvious differences are the length of the stay(s) and the financial budget provided for the groups. However, the important distinction is the kind of project/research you want to conduct at ZiF. 

Depending on the scope and depth of your project, you might want to choose a shorter and more explorative format (such as the Visiting Group) or a more intense work phase that is possible within a Resident Group. For projects with an extended time horizon, you might want to consider a Long-Term Group. For details, please check the information provided in the respective calls.

Visiting Groups: one stay of a minimum of one month and a maximum of three months

Resident Groups: one stay of four to six months

Long-Term Groups: several visits to ZiF over a period of up to three years; these recurring visits may add up to a total of ten months

Heads of research groups are responsible for the successful collaboration and planning of the group's stay at ZiF. They constitute the group (and need to name people they want to invite to participate in the group), organise the stay or meetings at ZiF – with support from ZiF’s Group and Conference Support, and structure the collaboration while at ZiF. Common formats are regular meetings, joint lunches etc. They need to be aware of their role as “host” for the group.

No. You may suggest a group that you see most fitting for your project; and that is feasible given the respective format’s financial constraints.

As for Research in Groups: Applications must be submitted by a team of two to four persons who also act as convenors of the group they propose. 

The minimum number of participants required for a group is three.

The heads of the group select and suggest the members of their group themselves, according to the interdisciplinary research goals of their project. We do expect the involvement of different disciplines; international participation is highly encouraged. Furthermore, a gender balance appropriate to the disciplines involved is expected. Decisions to not include international fellows must be well justified.

No. Applicants know their projects and its needs best. They are responsible for composing a suitable group of researchers. ZiF is not in a position to identify collaborators and set up groups. 

However, ZiF could support establishing contact to members from Bielefeld University who work on similar research questions, but on the convenors’ initiative.

Visiting and Resident Groups: There may be participants of a group who only attend parts of the total duration of a group or who join for shorter visits for specific thematic purposes. However, the majority of the group is expected to be in residence for the full duration of the project.

Long-Term Groups: We expect a core group (of at least the applicants) to stay the same, while other participants may vary from one visit to the next, depending on the thematic focus.

Standard expenses are: accommodation costs, travel costs, costs for academic events, personnel expenses (only for Resident Groups).

If you want to propose something beyond these standard costs, you have to be able to argue effectively why this matter would be important to your research project. It is best to contact ZiF before submitting an application to discuss financial matters.

You cannot include personnel expenses within the framework of a Visiting and Long-Term Group. Please check the information provided for each call.

ZiF is a place where researchers come together on-site and think about problems, interpret data, test theoretical ideas, etc. Discussion and debate are central characteristics of groups supported by ZiF.

A central feature, especially for the Visiting and Resident Groups, is the time in residence. Not being at ZiF, but being away for fieldwork or conferences does not align with the general idea behind the group formats, i.e. enabling joint time at the Center. While we do understand that presenting your work at conferences is an essential part of academic life, these absences need to be in balance with the commitment to the group.

If fieldwork is an essential part of a group project, it needs to be conducted beforehand, if necessary. Furthermore, ZiF does not fund projects that are conducted elsewhere.

Buy-Out-options are available, but only possible for Resident Groups.

No, ZiF cannot offer funding for student assistants.

Yes, it is mandatory for the heads of the group and the majority of the group to be present at ZiF in Bielefeld; remote participants may be involved, but must not form the majority of fellows involved in the group.

Accommodation arrangements in Bielefeld are taken care of for all fellows. For longer stays, flats are available on ZiF campus. Short-term guests are also accommodated in hotels. ZiF staff is taking care of all these matters.

The ZiF Campus offers the following infrastructure: On-site Housing/Accommodation, also for family members who are travelling with you; Catering in ZiF’s cafeteria (mostly lunch, but other options are possible depending on the specific organisation of each group), workspaces (see overview here), recreational options like an indoor pool, the gym area and a playground.

ZiF does have a small number of individual offices for convenors or members of the groups, but the main workspaces for the residency are joint conference rooms. In addition, individual desks are provided in shared office spaces; these are used on a “first come, first serve” basis. Furthermore, all apartments are equipped with desks and provide the opportunity to work on one’s own.

Since the publication of research findings varies considerably across disciplines, there are no fixed expectations in terms of articles, monographs and ‘classic’ scientific output. Applicants can include their goals and plans on how to achieve these goals in their proposal, but we do understand that given the often experimental nature of ZiF research groups, they have to be flexible in terms of the specific formats.

We encourage to document, share and communicate steps of the research process, both individually and with the support of ZiF and its communication channels. It is a general goal of ZiF to make interdisciplinary research visible which we then also expect from our fellows.

In terms of outreach, there is a variety of communication channels at ZiF, like a podcast, a YouTube channel, Social Media presences, where you could document and reflect on your joint research. Your participation would be very welcome. We also encourage groups to participate in events held during their residency, e.g. public talks or art exhibitions. You do not have to include these activities in the group budget.

The adequate format to share results (or steps of the research process), lies within the responsibility of the convenors and the group members. ZiF does not impose any specific requirements or formats for the communication of results. We do not expect a final report.

Please check the Research in Groups website for current deadlines.

The selection process and its timing are described in each call for proposals. Please check the respective call for details.