Daimler und Benz Stiftung supports independent, curiosity-driven science with a strong emphasis on the relationship between people, the environment, and technology, especially when the work has clear societal relevance. It favors early-career researchers, interdisciplinary consortia, and programs that connect research with public discourse, while also recognizing women in engineering and fostering German-African research collaboration. Overall, this is a German research foundation that gives through a mix of fellowships, prizes, collaborative project grants, conference support, and science communication funding.
Gives through a structured mix of annual programs, prizes, and periodic calls; typical awards range from about €15,000 to €300,000, with larger multi-year collaborative grants and smaller event or fellowship support. Some programs are invite-only or nomination-based, while others accept competitive applications on fixed deadlines or continuous intake, depending on the program.
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Watch the foundation’s website closely for program-specific calls, since some opportunities are annual, some irregular, and some continuous. Tailor proposals to interdisciplinary relevance and societal impact, and for larger programs like Ladenburger Horizonte or Ladenburger Kolleg, show strong coordination, clear research leadership, and a collaborative structure across institutions. For the prize and some fellowship programs, eligibility is narrowly defined, so check geography, career stage, and nomination/invite-only rules before preparing materials.
Current and upcoming funding from Daimler und Benz Stiftung that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Offen für sämtliche Disziplinen; Antragseinreichung jederzeit möglich.
Deadline: jederzeit möglich
Who can apply: Independent research group leaders at German universities and non-profit research institutions; one applicant per application; no formal deadlines (applications accepted any time).
Deadline: No deadlines; applications can be submitted anytime (continuous intake).
Who can apply: Postdocs or junior professors with demonstrable research independence, institutional affiliation with a German research institution (or German institution abroad); promotion (PhD) should be only a few years past; applicants must be in fixed-term employment or prove living costs are covered; applicants with permanent positions are excluded.
Deadline: Application opens 2026-06-01; applications must be submitted by 2026-09-30 (23:59).
Who can apply: Antragsberechtigt sind Forschungseinrichtungen in Deutschland sowie unabhängige Forschungsgruppenleiter, die während der gesamten Laufzeit an Hochschulen oder gemeinnützigen außeruniversitären Forschungseinrichtungen in Deutschland angestellt sind. Projekte müssen mit afrikanischen Partnern in Ost-, West- oder Subsahara-Afrika durchgeführt werden; Bewerbungen aus afrikanischen Einrichtungen sind nicht berücksichtigt.
Deadline: 15.10.2026–15.12.2026
Who can apply: Research group leaders (professors, junior professors, habilitands) and advanced group-leading postdocs affiliated with German higher education or non-profit research institutions; African institutions must be research institutions in specified regions; proposals for certain activities (clinical trials, pure capacity building, short visits alone, pure early-career only programs) are excluded.
Deadline: Next application period / call opens 2026-10-15 (announcement on site).
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.