Innovation Pool

Innovation fund: call for applications


The steering committee of the Competence Centre Landscape Resilience (CLaRe) of the University of Göttingen (UGOE) is pleased to invite motivated researchers, students, and staff to apply for the exciting funding programmes of the Innovation Pool:

Applications can be submitted in these three funding lines:

Category A

Short-Term Scientific Missions, public outreach activities, and student projects

Category B

Inter-/transdisciplinary projects

Category C

Visiting Scientist Programme


Find detailed information on the calls here:


Category A:
Short-Term Scientific Missions, public outreach activities, and student projects
Currently no open call.

Category B:
Call: Funds for Inter-/transdisciplinary projects
Templates: proposal, budget calculation
Application Deadline: 21st July 2025

Category C:
Call: Visiting Scientist Programme
To be announced soon!

FAQ

Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM)

For STSM, is there a timeframe for defining early-career researchers?

8 years after completion of doctorate + max 2 years per child for max two children during maternity leave (so with two children max 12 years after completion of doctorate)

Are STSM involving fieldwork with international collaborators included in the call?

Yes. It must become clear, what is the benefit for the Competence Centre and what has it to do with landscape resilience. It’s not a project funding, rather mobility funding.

Are the STSM restricted to Europe or not?

They are not restricted to Europe.

When do the STSM need to take place?

The funding for the STSM is limited to 2025 so they have to take place in 2025.

What's important to note when applying for funding?

It is important that the projects (student projects, inter-transdisciplinary projects, public outreach projects) are embedded in the thematic field of the Competence Centre for Landscape Resilience, that the project increases the visibility of the center and that networking within the university is strengthened (individual projects are not funded).


Outreach projects

Which kind of public outreach activities are possible?

There are no certain categories that are going to be funded. The important thing is, that it will support the Competence Centre to become more visible and that it is within the topic of landscape resilience.

What's important to note when applying for funding?

It is important that the projects (student projects, inter-transdisciplinary projects, public outreach projects) are embedded in the thematic field of the Competence Centre for Landscape Resilience, that the project increases the visibility of the center and that networking within the university is strengthened (individual projects are not funded).


Student projects

For student projects, is it possible to apply as a supervisor, or do the students need to apply directly?

The students need to apply directly.

What's important to note when applying for funding?

It is important that the projects (student projects, inter-transdisciplinary projects, public outreach projects) are embedded in the thematic field of the Competence Centre for Landscape Resilience, that the project increases the visibility of the center and that networking within the university is strengthened (individual projects are not funded).


Inter-/transdisciplinary projects

For the trans-interdisciplinary projects, is there a prerequisite for the partner PIs, i.e. is a doctorate needed?

There are no prerequisites for PIs.

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What's important to note when applying for funding?

It is important that the projects (student projects, inter-transdisciplinary projects, public outreach projects) are embedded in the thematic field of the Competence Centre for Landscape Resilience, that the project increases the visibility of the center and that networking within the university is strengthened (individual projects are not funded).

Is the funding transferred at the beginning of the project?

No, funds are not paid out as a lump sum at the start. Reimbursement is based on actual expenses such as invoices, contracts, or travel reimbursements (Dienstreiseabrechnung).

By when must the funds be spent?

All project funds must be used within the approved project period, which may not exceed one year. This ensures budget clarity and timely closure.

What type of output is expected?

Projects should aim for a balanced combination of the following:

Scientific: Publications, new methods, models, or datasets
Practice-oriented: Workshops, policy recommendations, or pilot projects
Methodological: Formats for stakeholder participation, interdisciplinary tools

The output does not need to be large-scale. A well-designed workshop at another university, for instance, may already suffice. However, projects that initiate longer-term scientific, political, or communicative networks are especially welcomed.

What character should the project have?

The project should be driven by a compelling scientific question or idea, and aim to initiate something. Creativity, originality, and the potential to trigger further thought or collaboration are highly valued.

Can personnel costs be covered by the funding?

Yes, personnel costs can be funded, provided they are directly tied to the approved project period. It is possible to hire new staff for a short, fixed term if it matches the project duration. For academic staff, contracts must be for at least 50% FTE and must span the entire project duration. It is not permitted to hire someone for only part of the project period (e.g., one month of a two-month project). If a smaller time commitment is required, researchers can instead be employed as academic assistants (wissenschaftliche Hilfskräfte). In that case, the fixed-term contract must also correspond to the length of the project. All personnel must be employed through the department of the PI located at the University of Göttingen. The Competence Centre Landscape Resilience does not serve as an employing institution but will provide the internal account number for cost coverage. In the budget template, please insert a category for personnel or put it as costs for personnel (with specification, i.e. 20 hours/month student assistant for 2 months, 50% TV L E13 for 2 months etc. (note that people must be employed for the whole period of the project.)


Visiting scientists