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Workshop: My First DFG Proposal in the Natural, Life and Engineering Sciences: From Research Idea to a Convincing Funding Application

 

Details

Date: Tue, 16 + Wed, 17 February 2027, 09:00–15:00 h
Location: online via Zoom
Target group: Postdocs in the Natural, Life and Engineering Sciences of the UA Ruhr Universities (max. 12 participants)
Trainer: Dr. habil. Alexander Schiller
Registration deadline: 02 February 2027
Contact for organizational Questions: event@rs.rub.de


Description

A strong research idea is essential – but a successful proposal must convince reviewers that the research question matters, that there is a clearly defined gap, and that the proposed project is both innovative and feasible. It should guide reviewers through a coherent scientific argument.

In this highly interactive two-day workshop, you will learn how to turn your research idea into a coherent and convincing DFG proposal. You will work on the core elements of a successful application: 

  • navigate relevant DFG funding opportunities and understand what the DFG expects from applicants
  • translate a research idea into a clear and compelling proposal logic
  • articulate the scientific problem, research gap, objectives and significance of a project
  • create a coherent storyline connecting the state of the art, objectives, methodology and work programme
  • anticipate critical reviewer questions and identify weaknesses before submission

We will also explore how generative AI can support the proposal development process – for example, by challenging your project logic, testing your storyline, identifying potential weaknesses, structuring ideas, and simulating reviewer questions.

The workshop is strongly practice-oriented. You will work with authentic DFG materials and proposal examples, apply the concepts directly to your own project, exchange peer feedback, and experience proposal evaluation from the reviewer’s perspective.

 

Trainer

Dr. habil. Alexander Schiller, Chemist (PhD, Habilitation, Heisenberg Fellow), former university professor, successful applicant of numerous national and international research grants (DFG, ERC, BMBF, DAAD, Foun- dations). Now full-time trainer, coach, and facilitator for scientists in academia and research organizations.

* In order to provide you with a comfortable registration process, we use registration forms of our service partner eveeno®. Please note the information on the allocation of places on the program overview page.