German Research Foundation DFG funds 13 new Collaborative Research Centres

The German Research Foundation (DFG) is establishing 13 new Collaborative Research Centres covering a variety of topics, from the exploration of extraterrestrial life to future paper applications, with €170 million in funding for the first period.

The decision was made by the responsible grants committee and announced on 15/05/2026. The new consortia will receive funding for a first period of three years and nine months, starting in October 2026.

In addition, the approval committee voted to extend 25 Collaborative Research Centres for another funding period each.

"Collaborative Research Centres enable the collaborative pursuit of innovative, ambitious and long-term research projects, thereby contributing to the development of research priorities and structures at the applicant universities," the DFG explained.

The foundation currently funds 260 consortia, including the 13 new ones, which are:
• Polymer Mechanochemistry;
• Soft Tissue-Alveolar Bone Crosstalk - Influence of Systemic Diseases on the Mechanisms of Periodontal Remodelling;
• Habitability as a fundamental planetary process…