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FAQ - Frequently asked questions
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FAQ - Frequently asked questions
Schmuckbild: Clinician Scientist-Programme der DFG

© chokniti – stock.adobe.com

DFG Funding for Clinician Scientists

Supporting the compatibility of research and residency training for Clinician Scientists is an important priority for the DFG. Building on the structures established within the Clinician Scientist Programmes provides a solid basis for achieving this goal.
 

Clinician Scientist Dialogue 2025

On 6 February 2025, the DFG hosted a dialogue event involving current and former fellows of DFG-funded Clinician Scientist Programmes. The aim was to obtain direct feedback and identify opportunities for improvement. 

Here you can find the detailed report(Download) (in German only) on the meeting.

Options for further development of Clinician Scientist Programmes

Holzblöcke, die auf einem blauen Hintergrund miteinander verbunden sind.

For Institutions and Research Consortia
Eine Sammlung von Holzfiguren, von denen eine eindeutig blau ist, die durch ein Netz von Linien auf einer Fläche miteinander verbunden sind.

Individual Funding Opportunities for Clinician Scientists

Structured career paths for Clinician Scientists and Advanced Clinician Scientists 

Since 2018, the DFG has supported Clinician Scientist Programmes aimed at establishing structured qualification pathways for physicians conducting research during their residency. Two calls for proposals have resulted in 23 programmes, each running for up to five years. The key element of these programmes is protected research time, secured through Temporary Substitute Positions, complemented by mentoring, scientific training, and central coordination. Following the DFG funding period, many programmes will be continued by the institutions using their own resources. 

The concept of structured support for Clinician Scientists has been consistently developed and extended to include later career stages. Since 2021, the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) has funded Advanced Clinician Scientist Programmes for physicians who have completed their residency. Currently, eight programmes are being funded, while others are in planning.

The DFG’s Senate Commission on Key Questions in Clinical Research (SSCR)(interner Link) addresses career prospects for Clinician Scientists and has issued recommendations for establishing target positions in university medicine(Download) (in German only).

Overview of DFG-funded Clinician Scientist Programmes

With the first call for proposals(interner Link) 13 Clinician Scientists Programmes were accepted for funding in 2018 following an international review. After a cost-neutral extension, these programmes will come to a conclusion in 2025.

As a result of the second call for proposals(interner Link), a further ten programmes were approved in summer 2022.

Further Stakeholders and Funding Initiatives

Further information

Contact

Dr. Laura Stappert
E-mail: laura.stappert@dfg.de
Telephone: +49 (228) 885-2735

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