Funding Line 1 | Interdisciplinary Research

Program Description

The "Interdisciplinary Research" funding line aims to enable outstanding researchers to work at the intersection of disciplines and develop innovative approaches to scientific questions. Collaborations with other disciplines or a partner institution from the European university alliance Transform4Europe (T4EU) are encouraged but not mandatory.

 

Program Objectives
  • Support and development of early-career researchers
  • Promotion of innovative, interdisciplinary research projects
  • Encouragement of interdisciplinary collaboration and establishment of new research approaches leading to collaborations and acquisition of third-party funding, particularly for interdisciplinary projects
  • Strengthening of (T4EU) collaborations
Funding Amounts
  • Individual projects up to €10,000
  • Collaborative projects up to €15,000
  • For collaboration with a Transform4Europe partner, an additional €1,000 (lump-sum) can be requested
Eligible Expenses
  • Direct project costs and funding for student / research assistants
Funding Duration
  • Up to 6 months

    Application Requirements and Eligibility

    Who can apply?
    • Researchers at Saarland University with a completed PhD and an excellent degree, up to 5 years after PhD completion (periods of absence will be considered in accordance with the DFG guidelines: DFG Equity and Diversity)
    What do I need to submit?
    • Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages), including top publications (max. 5)
    • Project Proposal (max. 3 pages):
      • Abstract (max. ½ page)
      • Key objectives and methods
      • Explanation of the innovative / excellent aspects
      • Description of the involved disciplines and their interfaces
    • Budget plan (table) (max. ½ page)
    • Recommendation letter your superior (max. ¾ page)
    • If applicable, collaboration partners:
      • For interdisciplinary collaborations: Proof of involvement of at least one partner from 
        another discipline
      • For T4EU collaborations: Proof of involvement of at least one T4EU partner
      • The proof must be submitted as an informal email
    Style Sheet
    • Font: Arial
    • Font size: Minimum 11
    • Line spacing: Minimum 1.2
    • Page margins: Top 2.5 cm | Bottom 2 cm | Left 2.5 cm | Right 2 cm
    • The application may be submitted in either German or English
    Submission Format

    The complete documents (one single PDF file) must be submitted exclusively via email to: 

    forschung(at)uni-saarland.de

    Only the provided templates may be used, and the specified style sheet must be followed. Save the document under the name: START_F1_Interdisciplinary Research_<Your last name>.

    Application Deadline
    • April 15, 2025
    Funding duration
    • Up to 6 months
    • Earliest possible start of funding: July 1, 2025
    • Maximum duration of funding: December 31, 2025
    • The decision and notification will be communicated promptly
    What is funded?
    • Travel costs: Funding for active participation in conferences, archival work, or summer schools (max. two months, either continuously or in segments)
    • Direct project costs: Usable for license/software fees, publication fees, literature, consumables, etc.
    • Student / research assistants (“HiWis”)
    • For T4EU collaborations: Costs related to the cooperation
    • Remaining funds will expire

    Templates

    CV Template

    Proposal Template

    Useful Links

    T4EU Homepage

    T4EU Partner List