Direct comparison
DFG Emmy Noether vs ERC Starting Grant
Compare DFG Emmy Noether Programme and ERC Starting Grant eligibility, funding amounts, duration, and host-institution rules for early-career PIs.
Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | DFG Emmy Noether Programme | ERC Starting Grant |
|---|---|---|
| Funding body | DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) -- German national research funder | European Research Council (ERC), funded through Horizon Europe |
| Eligibility window (years post-PhD) | Normally up to 4 years (up to 6 for medical researchers; +2 years per child under 12) | 2-7 years (2026 Work Programme calls; window revised periodically) |
| Minimum postdoctoral experience | At least 2 years, plus substantial international research experience required | No separate minimum -- independence/track record assessed via proposal and CV |
| Maximum funding amount | No financial upper limit -- staff and project funding sized to the proposal | Up to €1.5 million (plus up to €1M start-up/equipment, up to €2M relocation top-up) |
| Duration | Initial 3 years, renewable to 6 years total after interim evaluation | Fixed 5-year term |
| Host institution location | Must be a university or research institution in Germany | Any EU Member State or Horizon Europe-associated country |
| Number of PIs | 1 (single group leader) | 1 (single PI) |
| Nationality / mobility requirement | Foreign applicants must submit a written letter of intent to continue their career in Germany | No nationality restriction; optional relocation top-up for PIs moving from a non-associated third country |
| Career-pathway framing | Explicit qualification route toward a German professorship | Not tied to a national qualification system |
| Evaluation criterion | Scientific quality of the proposal and the applicant's track record, via DFG review boards | Scientific excellence only, via international ERC peer-review panels |
Common questions
FAQ
Can I apply to both the DFG Emmy Noether Programme and an ERC Starting Grant?+
The DFG's eligibility rules exclude applicants who already receive comparable independent-research-group funding from elsewhere, which would typically include an ERC Starting Grant funding an equivalent group. The two are generally treated as alternative routes to the same career stage rather than combinable funding for the same project -- confirm current overlap rules directly with the DFG and the ERC/ERCEA before applying.
How many years after my PhD can I still apply to the Emmy Noether Programme?+
Normally up to 4 years after completing the doctorate, extended by two years for each child under age 12 at the time of application, and up to 6 years for medical researchers. A minimum of 2 years of postdoctoral experience is also required.
Is there a funding cap on the Emmy Noether Programme like there is on the ERC Starting Grant?+
No. The DFG states there is no financial upper limit for the Emmy Noether Programme -- funding is sized to the staff and project costs the proposal actually requires. The ERC Starting Grant instead sets a published ceiling, currently up to €1.5 million over 5 years plus optional top-ups.
Does the ERC Starting Grant require the PI to move to Germany?+
No. The ERC Starting Grant can be held at any eligible host institution in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe-associated country -- Germany is one option among many, not a requirement.
What happens if an Emmy Noether group leader is offered a professorship during the funding period?+
The DFG allows the remaining project funding to continue: if a group leader is offered a professorship at a German university while their Emmy Noether funding is still running, the project funding remains available to them.
