UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has a partnership with the German research foundation Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) to encourage and support applications that involve international collaborative teams through a lead agency agreement.
This lead agency agreement is open to all themes within the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), through the EPSRC working with overseas scientists funding opportunity, which is part of the EPSRC applicant-led funding route.
Any application must be within the remit of EPSRC and DFG. Within the DFG subject area structure, applications may be submitted in the following subject areas:
- chemistry (DFG Review Boards 3.11-3.17)
- physics (DFG Review Boards 3.21-3.23 excluding 3.24 Particles, Nuclei and Fields, and 3.25 Astrophysics and Astronomy)
- mathematics (DFG Review Board 3.31)
- engineering Sciences (DFG Review Boards 4.11-4.51)
How to apply
To apply for funding under the EPSRC-DFG lead agency agreement with EPSRC as the lead agency, you must submit a single joint application to EPSRC from eligible applicants in both countries.
Joint applications should follow EPSRC’s responsive mode format unless indicated otherwise. They should be submitted through the EPSRC working with overseas scientists funding opportunity.
The title of all applications submitted through the UKRI Funding Service should begin ‘EPSRC-DFG’.
Include the scientific case for the German components of the project in the ‘Vision and approach’ section.
German collaborating research organisations should be included as project partners in the application, and the funding totals by German research organisations should be included as project partner contributions. The application should only request the UK expenses on the cost form.
The resources and cost justification should include a clear summary and justification of the German costs sought from DFG, as well as the funding sought from EPSRC.
A detailed breakdown of the funding requested from DFG should be submitted to the Funding Service as an attachment in the ‘International Agency Requirements’ section. For information on DFG requirements see the guidance document linked in the ‘Guidance for applicants’ section.
In parallel (within a week), a copy of the application must be handed in by the project partner to DFG by DFG-eligible applicants.
For DFG-led applications, please submit a copy of the application submitted to DFG under the funding opportunity EPSRC Working with Overseas Scientists (OPP676).
Reviewers’ comments and the project lead response to reviews will be shared with DFG once the funding decision has been made. A final agreement from DFG’s Joint Committee will be confirmed before an award is made.
How we will assess the application
The applications are assessed alongside all other applicant-led mode standard applications received at the same time.
DFG-nominated experts may be involved in the peer review process considered on a case-by-case basis by EPSRC and DFG. Funding decisions are made by the appropriate EPSRC theme lead, following the recommendation of the EPSRC panel and the DFG Hauptausschuss (Joint Committee).
If DFG is the lead agency, you can find guidance about applications on the DFG international relations web page (see under ‘United Kingdom’).
Guidance for applicants
You will find more details about the application process in the guidance for applicants for this funding opportunity.