Internal funding

The Central Research Fund (ZFF)

The ZFF offers researchers at all career levels at the University of School of Art and Design financial support in preparing a third-party funding application and promotes cooperation between the Faculties and the School of Art and Design.

ZFF funding lines

GoalsThe funding line Coop encourages interdisciplinary collaboration between the faculties and the Kunsthochschule (School for Art and Design).
FocusThis funding line targets projects with prospects for a long-term collaboration. Open access is recommended for publications.
Target GroupAll researchers at the University of Kassel who are planning an interdisciplinary project in collaboration with the Kunsthochschule are eligible to apply. At least one PI must be a member of the Kunsthochschule.
ScopeMaximum funding is 15,000 € for the funding line per year, which can be used for material and travel costs as well as hiring student assistants. The maximum funding duration is one year.
SubmissionThe proposal is submitted via Converis.
Deadline1 November — in case of remaining funds, the second annual application deadline is 1 May
Selection criteria
  • Scientific quality of the proposal
  • Active support of early career researchers
  • Contribution of the research project to strengthening the main research foci of the University of Kassel
  • Contribution to promoting new research topics
  • Potential to establish a long-term interdisciplinary cooperation

 

GoalThe funding line Project is intended to support researchers in preparing a proposal for individual third-party funding.
FocusThis funding line targets projects with chances of submitting a promising individual third-party funding proposals. Open access is recommended for publications.
Target GroupAll researchers of the University of Kassel. Early career researchers (R2+R3) in particular are encouraged to apply.
ScopeMaximum funding is 12,000 € per proposal, which can be used for material and travel costs as well as hiring student assistants. The maximum funding duration is one year
SubmissionThe proposal is submitted via Converis.
Deadline1 February / 1 May /  1 November
Selection criteria
  • Scientific quality of the proposal
  • Potential to acquire third-party funds in order to ensure a permanent funding
  • Promotion of young researchers
  • Contribution of the research  project to strengthening the main research foci of the University of Kassel
  • Contribution to promoting new research topics

 

GoalThe funding line Individually Qualified supports applicants who are preparing promising proposals for individual excellence-oriented junior researcher programmes (such as DFG-Emmy Noether, ERC SG).
FocusThis funding line targets projects with chances to submit a promising proposal for the above-mentioned programmes. Open access is recommended for publications.
Target GroupAll early career researchers (R2+R3) who locate their third-party funded project at the University of Kassel are eligible to apply, but only members of the University of Kassel can apply for the first preparatory year.
Scope

Maximum funding is 20,000 € for the preparatory year, and it can be used for material and travel costs as well as student assistants. The funding duration is one year.

Individually qualified (Success): In case the third party funding is approved, additional funding of up to 200,000 € can be made available. This funding can be used flexibly for staff or material costs within the funded project. The funding can also be used to secure the contract of the applicant after the external funding period; the decision on how the funds are spend must be made in advance.

Submission

The proposal is submitted via Converis.

Individually qualified (Success): External applicants, who would like to apply for the 200,000 € are asked to contact the Research Support office.

Deadline

15 May / 15 Oct for proposals for the preparatory year

Individually qualified (Success): The application for the additional funding should be submitted before the third-party proposal is handed in.

Selection criteria
  • Scientific quality of the proposal
  • Potential to acquire third-party funds in order to ensure a permanent funding
  • Active support of young researchers
  • Contribution of the research project to strengthening the main research foci of the University of Kassel
  • Contribution to promoting new research topics
GoalThe funding line Pilot supports projects and Blue Sky initiatives and aims for opening up fundamentally new and under-researched areas that lie outside existing research directions or scientific paradigms.
FocusThis funding line targets innovative, under-studied topics and is intended to seed a promising third-party proposal. Open access is recommended for publications.
Target GroupAll professors of the University of Kassel are eligible for funding, as well as postdocs with consent from their head of unit. Including early career researchers in the proposal is strongly recommended.
ScopeMaximum funding is 110,000 € per project and can be used for staff, travel and material. The funding duration is between 6 and 18 months.
SubmissionThe proposal is submitted via Converis.
Deadline15 May  / 15 October
Selection criteria
  • Scientific quality of the proposal
  • Potential to acquire third-party funds in order to ensure a permanent funding
  • Active support of early career researchers
  • Contribution of the research project to strengthening the main research foci of the University of Kassel
  • Contribution to promoting new research topics
  • Originality and Innovative power of the project
  • Scientific and technological contribution for a long-term research vision
  • Possible knowledge gain in case of failure

 

GoalThe funding line Cluster supports collaborative projects that advance the thematic focus in line with the University of Kassel's development plan and thus contribute to the medium-term excellence capability.
Focus

This funding line targets projects, which aim for submitting a funding draft for a collaborative proposal (SFB/GRK/TRR) within the last year of funding. Open access is recommended for publications, if any.

Target GroupAll professors of the University of Kassel can apply when aiming for a collaborative research project with the University of Kassel as lead institution. Postdocs can be co-applicants; consortia are strongly encouraged to involve early-career researchers in the proposal.
ScopeMaximum funding is 70,000 € per year and can be used for staff, travel and material. Project duration is between 18 and 36 months.
SubmissionThe proposal is submitted via Converis.
Deadline15 May / 15 October
Selection criteria
  • Scientific quality of the proposal
  • Potential to acquire third-party funds in order to ensure a permanent funding
  • Active support of young researchers
  • Contribution of the research project to strengthening the main research foci of the University of Kassel
  • Contribution to promoting new research topics
GoalThe funding line Bridge supports initiatives that have been invited to submit a full proposal for a collaborative research project (GRK/SFB/TRR) in order to foster the evaluation and – if applicable – a quick project start.
FocusThis funding line targets projects that aim for developing a full proposal for a collaborative research initiative. Open access is recommended for publications, if any.
Target GroupAll professors of the University of Kassel can apply when aiming for a collaborative research project with the University of Kassel as lead institution.  Postdocs can be co-applicants; consortia are strongly encouraged to involve early career researchers in the proposal.
ScopeThe maximum funding sum is 150,000 €, which can be spent on staff, travel and material costs according to the individual project needs; please consult with Research Support.
SubmissionThe proposal is submitted to the Research Support directly together with the invitation to submit a full proposal of the third-party funding organisation.
DeadlineA submission is possible at any time.
Selection criteria
  • Scientific quality of the proposal
  • Potential to acquire third-party funds in order to ensure a permanent funding
  • Active support of young researchers
  • Contribution of the research project to strengthening the main research foci of the University of Kassel
  • Contribution to promoting new research topics
GoalThe funding line Focus supports collaborative initiatives during the draft proposal stage, focussing on increasing coherence and cohesion.
FocusThe aim of this funding line is to promote cohesion of the consortium via a suitable format such as colloquia, workshops, coaching sessions etc. together with the Research Support office. Involving an external coach can be supported with an additional 2,000 €. Open access is recommended for publications, if any.
Target GroupProfessors of the University of Kassel intending to write a collaborative research proposal are eligible for the funding.
ScopeMaximum funding is 5,000 € (plus an additional 2,000 € for an external coach, if applicable) for material and travel costs.
SubmissionThe proposal is submitted via the Research Support office with reference to existing work.
DeadlineA submission is possible at any time.
Selection criteria
  • Scientific quality of the proposal
  • Potential to acquire third-party funds in order to ensure a permanent funding
  • Active support of young researchers
  • Contribution of the research project to strengthening the main research foci of the University of Kassel
  • Contribution to promoting new research topics