Start-up funding for young researchers

Clausthal University of Technology provides financial support to young researchers which will allow them to develop an independent research agenda. The funds will support necessary research in preparation for a publicly funded grant application. This thematically open grant application shall be submitted following the completion of the preparatory project under this funding line.

The proposed research should fit within the university’s guiding research theme Circular Economy. This will be confirmed in written statements by the speakers of at minimum one of the four of the university’s research fields (“Forschungsfeld“).

The successful applicant will be integrated into the existing research structures at Clausthal University of Technology. In addition, further assistance related to the planned grant application, as well as special qualifications, will be provided by the university’s Research Service and Graduate Academy.

What is being funded?

The funding line provides up to 100.000 EUR for personnel and material as well as travel costs over a maximum timeframe of 24 months. The percentage of funds spent on material and travel costs are not to exceed 20% of the funding sum. Funding for personnel is subject to the regulations outlined in TV-L and WissZeitVG.

A financial and research report is expected within six months following the end of the funding period. Information on submission of the planned grant application and its outcome is equally expected.

Who can apply?

Applications are accepted from young researchers holding a doctoral degree, including candidates from outside of Clausthal University of Technology. However, funds can only be spent at Clausthal University of Technology and the grantee needs to be a member of Clausthal University of Technology for the duration of the project.

Applicants should provide proof for the following:

• a very good doctoral degree in a suitable discipline and possibly first postdoctoral experience,
• excellent academic qualifications, e.g. publications in recognized media, academic accolades, initial experience with third-party funding,
• convincing project outline for the initial research proposed and the subsequent larger research project (e.g. a junior research group), including milestones and links to existing research at Clausthal University of Technology,
• very good knowledge of English and preferably international experience within a research context.

Criteria for evaluation

• Qualification and competence of the applicant,
• innovativeness of the proposal, originality of the project,
• quality of the research concept, its topical match to the research profile at the university and its potential for the future,
• adequacy of the envisaged funding application for the larger grant application as outlined,
• project organisation and milestones.

Application

In order to apply for this funding line, the following documentation is to be submitted (German or English):

• Motivational letter of up to two pages, including your research experience,
• Curriculum vitae outlining your academic and research training (ideally within an international context), publications, third-party funding record and language expertise,
• Project description from current knowledge state to research objective, with milestones, timeframe and funding plan (max. 10 pages),
• Letter of support from a scientific host or host institution (e.g. institute, research center) at Clausthal University of Technology stating how the proposed research will be integrated,
• Written statement on the strategic relevance of the proposed research project by the speaker of at minimum one research field at the Clausthal University of Technology,
• Two external letters of recommendation.

A maximum of one proposal will be funded. A legal claim to funding does not exist. The German text for this funding line is the binding document.

Please submit your complete documentation by 15.09.2023 to

Graduate Academy, phone: (+49) 5323-72-2972

graduiertenakademie@tu-clausthal.de

Contact and queries: Graduate Academy

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