Visiting Groups

The Center for Interdisciplinary Research (ZiF) is Bielefeld University’s Institute for Advanced Study. It offers opportunities—with respect to time, space, and funding—for outstanding interdisciplinary reearch. ZiF is open to scholarly applicants from all disciplines post-PhD, based at a university/research institute in Germany or abroad. Applicants may propose a research project to be conucted with a curated group of (preferably) international colleagues. In support of the work of groups on-site in Bielefeld, ZiF allocates financial resources and pro- vides infrastructure as well as organisational assistance. If an application is successful, ZiF then hosts these groups on its campus, offering ideal working conditions.

 Visiting Groups can, for example, explore new research topics and partnerships, finalise inter-disciplinary publications or conduct small research projects during their stay at ZiF. ZiF cannot support projects that require essential fieldwork, nor can it provide laboratory facilities.

WHAT ZIF OFFERS

• Duration: one stay at ZiF; lasting a minimum of one to a maximum of three months
• Funding Amount: up to EUR 50,000 to cover the costs for travel and accommodation, workshops and/or conferences on-site; please note: personnel expenses (buy-outs) cannot be covered, but an allowance of EUR 50 per day will be paid as a compensation for any additional costs
• Timing: Projects can commence approximately 12 months after the deadline. Dates for a stay at ZiF will be finalized once a grant was made, depending on availability.

Group Requirements

• Size: The minimum number of participants required for a group is three.
• Composition: Different disciplines must be involved; international participation is strongly encouraged. Decisions to not include international fellows must be well justified.
• We expect convenors and the majority of a group to be present at ZiF for their collaboration phase. Additional remote participants may be involved.
• The necessity for interdisciplinary collaboration must originate from the research at hand and must be explained in the proposal. The mere involvement of different disciplines does not suffice to meet this criterion.
• The stage of preparation of the proposed project should clearly show its feasibility within the timeframe suggested.
• A gender balance appropriate to the disciplines involved is expected.

Important Selection Criteria

• Interdisciplinarity
• Academic quality
• Originality on an international level

Selection Process and Timing

Proposals will be selected competitively. Complete submissions will be reviewed externally. Decisions will be made approximately 6 months after the deadline.

CHECKLIST FOR APPLICATIONS

Applications must be submitted by a team of two to four persons who also act as convenors of the group they propose. All convenors must have completed a doctorate and must be affiliated with a research institute/university. One of them acts as the main contact person. 

ANSWERS TO BUDGET-SPECIFIC AND GENERAL QUESTIONS CAN ALSO BE FOUND IN OUR FAQ.

Please contact us with any questions; we are happy to assist!
Dr. Daniela Noll-Opitz  
Dr. Nadine Sutmöller
Email: zif-proposalsupport uni-bielefeld [dot] de (zif-proposalsupport[at]uni-bielefeld[dot]de)

Please address your application to:
Executive Directors 
Prof. Dr. Marie I. Kaiser
Prof. Dr. Eleonora Rohland

Upload your application IN ONE PDF FILE (including CVs) here.

Find all our funding formats here.