International Research Training Group (short descirptin) DFG

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International Research Training Groups
1. Programme Goals
1.1 Research Training Groups
Excellence, innovation and internationality in research and in promoting young researchers
constitute the main goals of Research Training Groups and are reflected in the various
components of a Research Training Group.
By funding Research Training Groups, the DFG supports outstanding and particularly
innovative research projects. In terms of their topics or methodologies, these projects look
beyond the status quo in their respective fields, or hold the promise of scientific reorientation
by virtue of an interdisciplinary approach that combines subjects or institutions in a novel
way. The researchers involved in a Research Training Group must demonstrate a track
record that promises such a standard of excellence. Specially qualified doctoral researchers,
who are recruited internationally, are thus given the opportunity to work on their theses in a
challenging, collaborative research environment and to produce solid findings.
In their research and qualification programmes, Research Training Groups train researchers
in different stages of their careers. A key objective of Research Training Groups is to enable
the speedy research-related qualification of doctoral researchers. As they focus on their
respective core research topics, doctoral researchers also gain an overview that goes
beyond their specialties by working within the larger context of a Research Training Group.
Doctoral researchers are enabled and expected to conduct independent research early on.
Research Training Groups aim to accelerate doctoral training and lower the age at which
scientists and academics finish their doctorate. In this way, the participation of young
researchers in Research Training Groups qualifies them to compete in the international job
market.
The programme aims to promote structured doctoral training, thereby making doctorates
more attractive. Research Training Groups are open to new ways of fostering young
researchers.
They offer an opportunity for universities to experiment with new cooperative arrangements
to promote young researchers — e.g. with universities of applied science, cultural
institutions, or businesses — that would otherwise not be available. At the same time, the
programme is strongly committed to gender equality and the compatibility of work and family
for researchers.
Furthermore, the programme promotes international cooperation in the area of doctoral
training and aims to enhance the appeal of German universities to doctoral researchers from
other countries. Internationality is indispensable to successful research and to the
progressive training of young researchers. The integration of doctoral researchers in the
international research environment — including universities and, if appropriate, nonuniversity
institutions — is therefore a key feature of Research Training Groups.
1.2 International Research Training Groups
International Research Training Groups are a programme variation of Research Training
Groups. Their purpose is to encourage and deepen bilateral cooperation between German
universities and universities or research institutions in other countries. They promote
systematic research cooperation through joint research and qualification programmes,
cooperative, cross-border supervision of doctoral researchers from both partner groups, and
long-term research stays for doctoral researchers at the respective partner institutions.
2. Programme Profile
Participants
An International Research Training Group is run by two small teams of professors, one in
Germany and one abroad. Each team has about 5 to 10 members who have proven
expertise in the main topic of the Research Training Group and in the supervision of young
researchers. It is highly desirable that postdoctoral researchers who undergo qualification for
a career in research and education be included in responsible positions.
Part of the added value of an International Research Training Group should result from the
fact that the researchers at the participating locations complement each others’ expertise.
As a general rule, participating scientists and academics should come from a single location
in the respective country. Researchers from non-university institutions and persons from nonacademic
organisations (e.g. businesses and cultural institutions) may be involved in an
International Research Training Group, if it serves the research and qualification concept.
An International Research Training Group includes up to 20 doctoral researchers per partner
institution. On the German side, 10 to 15 of these doctoral researchers are usually funded by
the Research Training Group.
In order to promote the introduction of undergraduate students to research, these may be
included in a Training Group at any stage of their studies, if they demonstrate exceptional
scientific or academic talent.
Research Programme
The core of an International Research Training Group is formed by an innovative research
concept, which focuses on one main topic. The topic must demonstrate novelty against the
backdrop of current international research and go beyond existing approaches.
Interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged.
The main topic serves as the foundation of a coherent research programme. It provides a
“pattern” that ensures the inner coherence of the research programme and the qualification
concept relating to it. The research programme should link its thematic and/or
methodological focus areas in a manner that yields excellent topics for theses and
encourages communication and collaboration between doctoral researchers.
The partners in an International Research Training Group undertake a joint research
programme.
Common research interests and objectives must be reflected in a common framework and
joint projects.
Qualification Concept
The concepts for qualification and supervision (see below) must create a framework that
enables doctoral researchers to produce independent research findings with international
visibility, generally within a period of three years, and at the same time to qualify for the
domestic and international university and non-university job market. The qualification concept
Includes
• a qualification programme specific to the Training Group,
• the integration of visiting researchers,
• and any other measures that contribute, directly or indirectly, to the qualification of
doctoral researchers.
The qualification programme, which is specific to the Training Group and based on the
research programme, on the one hand, enhances and expands doctoral researchers’
individual specialties; on the other hand, it conveys expertise that goes beyond the
researchers’ specialties and thus provides a broader qualification.
International Research Training Groups have to implement suitable structures that allow
participants at all locations to engage in the necessary intensive exchange. Their
qualification programmes therefore include local as well as jointly held courses.
Furthermore, the qualification concept promotes collaboration among Training Group
members and the mobility of doctoral researchers. International Research Training
Groups place special emphasis on long-term research stays for doctoral researchers at the
respective partner institutions.
Any additional activities of the qualification concept should support the doctoral training
process without lengthening the time required for graduation. The concept also details how
the Training Group will ensure the national and international visibility of its research findings
as well as the integration of young researchers into the national and international research
community.
Organisational and Supervisory Concept, Quality Management, Gender Equality
Clearly defined roles and responsibilities for all participants, a structured supervisory
concept, transparent organisational structures and processes, as well as comprehensive
quality management help to guarantee the desired high standard of quality in research and
qualification throughout the duration of the Research Training Group.
Key features of International Research Training Groups are the transparent and innovative
supervision structures they offer. Supervision is provided jointly through the Group’s partner
institutions, either by two researchers or by an advisory committee. It facilitates rapid and
successful doctoral training and prepares researchers for their future careers. A healthy
balance of intensive supervision and the encouragement of independence should be strived
for. Doctoral researchers should be enabled to conduct independent research early on.
Additional quality management requirements for Research Training Groups include:
• objectives and benchmarks for success that are specific to the Training Group to ensure
its ongoing quality-oriented management,
• a transparent and competitive procedure for selecting domestic and foreign doctoral
researchers,
• the evaluation of the performance of doctoral researchers and of graduation times, as
well as of the further careers of Training Group graduates,
• and the assessment of scientific success in the international arena.
Equal opportunities for male and female researchers as well as the compatibility of research
careers and family life are important factors in promoting young researchers and must
therefore be emphasised in International Research Training Groups.
Environment
Integration into an active scientific and academic environment is a key prerequisite for
success in International Research Training Groups. This includes the research environment,
e.g. associations and collaborations with working groups and research projects at
participating locations, as well as other support opportunities for young researchers, e.g.
already existing structured doctoral programmes or graduate schools.
An International Research Training Group is expected to support the medium-term scientific
priorities of the university. At the same time, the Research Training Group, by virtue of its
thematic orientation, should distinguish itself in a unique way from the rest of the research
conducted at this location. Research Training Groups are expected to offer added value over
other forms of doctoral training and/or structured doctoral programmes that exist at their
respective locations.
The host university should enhance the appeal of the International Research Training
Group as a centre of scientific excellence, for example through measures that support the
doctoral training process, by contributing complementary resources, and by providing
incentive mechanisms for participating professors.
Close cooperation with non-university research institutions is highly encouraged. To the
extent that it serves the research programme and qualification concept, persons from
nonacademic organisations (such as businesses and cultural institutions) should be
integrated or associated. Research Training Groups should be networked with reputable
international institutions in order to integrate doctoral researchers into the scientific
community early on.
Under the Collaborative Research Centre programme, a “module for structured doctoral
training” may be proposed. In future, Collaborative Research Centres and Research
Training Groups that are based at the same location and have largely overlapping topics will
no longer receive parallel funding (previously approved funds are exempt from this policy).
The goal is to increase efficiency by focusing funding for closely related research projects. A
thematic overlap is acceptable if the Research Training Group’s topic and/or structure is
sufficiently unique. For instance, the establishment of an International Research
Training Group may be considered to deliver added value.
Resources
The German partner university is eligible to apply for DFG funding. Funding for International
Research Training Groups includes resources particularly for:
• doctoral researchers (special rules apply to medical students),
• beginning doctoral researchers with a degree from a university of applied sciences or
a bachelor’s degree,
• postdoctoral researchers,
• research students,
• substitutes for participating professors on sabbatical,
• research materials (consumables, small equipment, etc.),
• implementation of the qualification concept (holding courses, integrating guest researchers,
etc.),
• doctoral researchers’ travel and visits at partner institutions,
• travel by participating researchers for the purpose of organising and managing cooperation,
• coordinating the Training Group,
• funding of publications.
The German university is expected to provide the necessary core support including
appropriately equipped office and laboratory space.
The foreign partner institution of an International Research Training Group is expected to
provide basic funding for its doctoral researchers, their research, and their mobility