Fritz Thyssen Foundation - Research Stipends

Research stipends from the Fritz Thyssen Foundation are an instrument used to support highly qualified individual junior scholars that have doctoral degrees in a research project over a limited period of time. They are to be offered the opportunity to fully concentrate on the research project they have selected with the help of a post-doc research stipend.

• To be able to apply for a research stipend, the doctoral degree procedure must have been completed with the defense of the work (disputation) or doctoral viva (Rigorosum); a (preliminary) degree certificate is to be submitted.
• The applicant should generally not have received his or her doctoral degree more than one or two years previously.
• The planned project should generally comprise a period of one to two years.
• The research stipend should be associated with a scholarly project that is independent of any outside influence and be based on individual initiative and be carried out at a school of higher learning or at a non-profit research facility.
• No stipends are awarded for doctoral dissertations or “Habilitationen” (post-doctoral research) or to complete such works to follow up support through other institutions; nor can stipends be applied for to support students at the bachelor’s or master’s level.
• The foundation generally does not accept any applications for projects if applications are being filed with other institutions offering support at the same time to ease the burden on its experts assessing applications. An application that is refused by another institution can be filed with the foundation along with a note explaining why it was refused.
• It is generally not possible to revise applications that have been rejected by the Foundation.

PERSONNEL COSTS

Complete personnel costs can be applied for in the case of research staff with doctoral degrees under TVL-E13. In the case of research staff who do not have doctoral degrees, their pay is generally based on 65% of a TVL-E13-position. In countries other than Germany, the personnel costs are to be stated according to the salary costs arrangements applicable there, i.e. total wage costs including the employer’s share as a total sum.

Non-academic personnel are paid at the appropriate TVL level.

Student helpers or research assistants should be paid according to the rates prevailing at the institution involved; the foundation is to be notified hereof through the budget plan accompanying the application.

Junior scholars with doctoral degrees can apply for their own post (generally based on TVL-E13) within the framework of a project. The application is to be accompanied by the Employer Confirmation.

TRAVEL COSTS

Funds to defray travel costs that are directly connected with the project can be applied for. In addition to reasonable travel and overnight accommodation costs, up to € 28 a day can be granted to defray the costs of meals when traveling within Germany (rail travel 2nd class or air travel economy class).

In the case of travel abroad, the daily or monthly rates for the respective country of travel can be applied for as an allowance to defray overnight accommodation and meal costs.

WHAT CANNOT BE APPLIED FOR

• Staff resources for applicants who already have a post (substituting for chairs or similar)
• Financial resources for construction work
• Financial resources to procure office furnishings and equipment that are usually part of the basic furnishings at universities and institutes
• Generally no financial resources are granted to defray overhead costs