Germany: DFG funds 27 international professors and fellows as part of the Global Minds Initiative

The German Research Foundation (DFG) is funding 15 professorships and 12 Mercator Fellowships as part of the Global Minds Initiative, supported by the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space to attract and retain international researchers.

This decision, announced on 17/09/2026, aims to enable large research consortia to attract highly qualified, experienced researchers currently working abroad and seeking a new scientific perspective within the German research system. The consortia will receive approximately €69 million for the new professorships and fellowships.

DFG President Katja Becker said the call for proposals had generated as much interest as previous additional funding opportunities within the DFG's individual funding programme.

“This demonstrates the importance of the initiative as a signal against the increasing threats to academic freedom worldwide. The fact that the grantees come from a total of twelve different countries of origin on four continents further underscores the global reach of the initiative," she added.

The 27 newly funded professors and fellows…