bright minds

Stay inspired
European excellence for Lower Saxony

Glasses lying on a notepad, crumpled pieces of paper next to them
steve-johnson via pexels

In
brief

apply anytime
area of research: all
type of funding: support in preparing resubmission of an ERC application
eligible: Researchers at state universities in Lower Saxony in accordance with Section 2 NHG, and regional research institutions financed by state funds
The "Stay Inspired: European Excellence for Lower Saxony" program is not intended to support first-time applications for an ERC grant. Only projects that have been designated as excellent by the ERC but have not received a grant due to limited funds are eligible for funding.
funding amount: max. 400,000 EUR
funding term: max. 2 years

what we promote

The program, which promotes the resubmission of an ERC application, is designed to support researchers from Lower Saxony in establishing themselves in the category of European research excellence. It aims to increase the attractiveness and European visibility of Lower Saxony's universities and research institutions for outstanding researchers.

Entitled are researchers who have been assessed as excellent by the European Research Council (ERC), but do not receive an ERC grant due to the limited budget. The funding enables them to further develop and enhance their project in Lower Saxony, and thus supports them in preparing resubmission of their research proposal to the ERC. The ERC evaluation on which the application is based need not to have been submitted via an institution in Lower Saxony. The decisive factor is the applicant's affiliation with one of the aforementioned institutions at the time of submitting an application for this program, for the duration of funding under this program, and at the time of the planned resubmission to the ERC.

How to apply

1
terms and conditions
Please read the "Information for Applicants" carefully and familiarize yourself with the application conditions.
2
prepare your application
You can find further documents for preparing your application below.
3
submit application
The application must be submitted to Department 15 "Europe, International Affairs" of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture (see contact).
    4
    decision
    A decision on approval is usually made within four weeks after reviewing the documents submitted.

      links and downloads

      contact

      Hendrik Wessels
      Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur, Referat 15
      +49 (0)511 120-2433
      hendrik.wessels@mwk.niedersachsen.de

      news of tomorrowprojects and areas of research in focus

      Funding Offer
      Research Cooperation Lower Saxony – Israel

      Funding is provided for outstanding research projects in Life Sciences and Medicine carried out jointly by scientists from universities and research institutions in Lower Saxony and Israel. The program is preferably aimed at researchers a few years after their doctorate. Deadline: March 31, 2025

      Read more
      07
      Nov
      Woman against the light writing mathematical formulae on a whiteboard
      Funding Offer
      Female professors for Lower Saxony

      Funding offer for universities in Lower Saxony that were successful in the federal and state government's Female Professors Program 2030.

      Read more
      30
      Oct
      eine kleine begrünte Fläche, umgeben von
      Funding Offer
      New call: Climate Future Lab "Microclimate in urban areas"

      This call for proposals supports the establishment and implementation of a research consortium to address the microclimate in urban areas as part of the Climate Future Labs of the Lower Saxony Centre for Climate Research (ZKfN). Deadline for application: October 30, 2024

      Read more
      01
      Jul
      Agrarroboter auf einem Feld
      story
      Agricultural robotics: high-tech on farmland

      Computer scientist Benjamin Kisliuk teaches autonomous agricultural robots how to navigate. Equipped with a variety of sensors and devices, such systems could revolutionize agriculture.

      Read more
      08
      May
      zwei Personen mit Laborkittel und Haarnetz in einer steril wirkenden technischen Anlage
      story
      German solar technology: working for the renaissance

      Physicist Bianca Lim wants to see the production of solar modules brought back to Germany.

      Read more
      13
      Mar
      Lecturer with a red jumper in front of students in a bright seminar room
      Funding Offer
      Lower Saxony Impulse Professorship

      The program addresses academics approaching the end of the early career phase up to a maximum of ten years after completing their doctorate. Deadline: June 1, 2025 | Dec. 1, 2025

      Read more
      14
      Dec
      unfolding fern fronds
      Funding Offer
      Strategic Development of Potential

      Universities in Lower Saxony can apply for funding to sharpen their strategic profile.

      Read more
      07
      Nov
      Mädchen mit israelischer Fahne und Junge mit Niedersachsenfahne
      news
      Support for the Foundation’s grantees in Israel

      The Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023 is challenging Israel in many different respects, and the country's academic sector is also suffering the consequences. Within the funding initiative zukunft.niedersachsen, we want to help our grantees on the ground.

      Read more
      13
      Oct
      Symbol image for fluorescence electrophoresis
      Funding Offer
      Innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to combat rare diseases

      Eligible are professors and postdocs at universities and non-university research institutions in Lower Saxony.

      Read more
      06
      Oct

      zukunft.niedersachsen is a joint funding program of

      Logo Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur