Fundings for Post-Doctoral Researchers 2018-2019, Volkswagen Stiftung, Hannover, Germany
VolkswagenStiftung
Nonprofit organization, Browse similar opportunities
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Nonprofit organization, Browse similar opportunities
The funding initiative “Original – isn't it?” aims at the scientific exploration of original ideas in the humanities and cultural studies. However, the specific nature of the themes belonging to the humanities and cultural studies, makes it difficult to say precisely what constitutes “original”, “new”, or “innovative”. It may encompass anything that contradicts established knowledge or generally accepted intuitions; or just as well the development of a new approach to research, a new hypothesis, a new theory, observation of a new phenomenon, and the discovery of knowledge gaps. With this funding initiative the Foundation wishes to encourage scholars in the humanities and cultural studies to embark on projects of groundbreaking originality. The Foundation does not specify what form this originality should take. It is up to the applicants to put forward the arguments that determine what is “new” in their proposed projects.
Funding Opportunities
Funding Line 1 “Komm! ins Offene...”
This funding line takes its title from a Hölderlin poem. It addresses the individual researcher, offering them a possibility to develop a new idea, a new hypothesis or a new topic in the form of an essay or treatise (80-120 pages): In other words, in a genre that reveals the author’s intellectual exploratory thrust and demonstrates the particular suitability of the topic for explorative investigation and new approaches. This initiative does explicitly not aim at comprehensive books. It’s rather all about unusual, intelligent and comprehensible, clearly formulated insights designed to rivet the attention of the readers – be they experts, members of academia, or of the general public. Projects can be funded with up to 80,000 euros over a funding period of up to 1 year.
Funding Line 2 “Constellations”
The title of this funding line is inspired by Walter Benjamin who used the term in various contexts. It addresses researchers who wish to join in small teams of up to four partners to follow up on new research ideas and put their feasibility to the test in an exploratory phase. Here, too, the main criterion is the potential for groundbreaking originality. The project results are to be gathered in a coauthored publication (article, essay, book) under formulation of a common agenda, including the development of coherent terminologies or (sets of) methods. Teams comprising partners drawn from the social sciences, life sciences, natural sciences, or engineering are particularly welcome, although – depending on the respective agenda – this is not in any way a requirement. Projects can be funded with up to 150,000 euros over a funding period of up to 1.5 years. A total of approximately 20 projects will be funded per call. If you are interested in projects that have been granted before within this initiative, please see our website under “Project-Persons-Search”.
I General Conditions
The funding initiative is open to scientists at all career levels after the PhD working in the humanities or cultural studies. Scientists working in theoretical social sciences are also eligible to apply. The main applicant has to be employed at a scientific institution in Germany. Researchers from foreign institutions are welcome to apply as co-applicants in funding line 2. Funding can be allocated in a flexible manner to cover the costs of resources and staffing. This could include costs arising from the integration of project partners within Germany and abroad, research stays at outside institutions, workshops or the costs of employing a deputy during an additional sab- 2 batical. Translation costs may also be applied for. In funding line 1 there is no provision for staffing with post-docs other than for the applicants themselves. Funding will be allocated on a lump-sum basis, i.e. there is no need for the individual applicant to adhere to a firm budget plan. This is to enable a flexible reallocation of funds in accordance with the course of the project.
The following costs cannot be considered:
Overheads
Financing of doctoral studies
Child care
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