The German Research Foundation (DFG) is strengthening early scientific careers and will fund eleven new research training groups starting in spring 2026. They will initially receive a total of around 82 million euros for five years, including a program allowance for indirect project expenses. Among the new networks is an international research training group with partners in Australia. In total, the DFG currently supports 209 research training groups, including 29 international programs. 

The following selected topics are among those that are particularly relevant to the MatWerk area: 

The Biological Making of Materials
The research group at TU Dresden is investigating the formation mechanisms of biological materials, whose diversity is based on hierarchically organized building block modules. The research focuses on biomineral, protein-based materials, and polysaccharide-protein composites. The findings are intended to promote bio-inspired and sustainable manufacturing processes.
(TU Dresden, contact: Professor Dr. Yael Politi) 

New SM: Looking for Signposts Towards the New Standard Model of Particle Physics
Although the Standard Model accurately describes many experimental results, key questions remain unanswered, such as those concerning dark matter or matter-antimatter asymmetry. The research group at the University of Freiburg combines theoretical and experimental approaches to identify consistent extensions of the Standard Model.
(University of Freiburg, contact: Professor Dr. Heidi A. Rzehak) 

Perception of and Interaction With Materials and Objects in Natural Environments
At the University of Giessen, research is examining how people perceive and interact with materials and objects in everyday life. The focus is on realistic conditions, supplemented by innovative methods and modeling approaches. The main question is how sensory, cognitive, and motor processes vary over the lifespan.
(University of Giessen, contact: Professorin Dr. Katja Fiehler) 

Quantum Photonics: Quantum Emitters, Tailor-Made Photon States, and Quantum Processors
The research training group at the University of Hannover is dedicated to photonic quantum systems, whose states are essential for communication and cryptography applications. It is researching the fundamentals of source development, tailor-made photon states, and novel integrated quantum processors.
(University of Hannover, contact: Professor Dr. Michael Oestreich) 

Competition for land: the role of the nexus of food, energy, and materials in tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis
Researchers in this international collaboration between the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the University of Melbourne are examining the rising global demand for land and its ecological, social, and climatic consequences. The focus is on an integrated view of the land system and its conflicts of use.
(Karlsruhe Institute of Technology KIT, contact: Professorin Dr. Almut Arneth; collaborative partner: University of Melbourne, Australien) 

RTG 3123 BioBuild – Bio-inspired Materials and Systems for Responsive Building Components.
At the University of Stuttgart, the exploration of bio-inspired solutions for adaptive building facades is a central focus. Instead of rigid mechanical systems, the emphasis is on flexible, reversibly deformable materials that are more energy efficient and less prone to failure.
(University of Stuttgart, contact: Professor Jan Knippers; also applying: University of Freiburg) 

IRTG “Charging Into the Future: Understanding the Interaction of Polyelectrolytes With Biosystems”
This research addresses how polyelectrolytes interact with biological structures and which physicochemical factors influence these processes. It investigates binding mechanisms, structural changes, and functional properties that provide fundamental insights into biological systems and, at the same time, stimulate the development of bio-inspired materials.
(FU Berlin, contact: Professor Kevin Pagel; cooperation partners: McGill University, University of British Columbia, both Canada) 

RTG “Hydrogen Isotopes 1,2,3H”
A central aim is a comprehensive analysis of the three hydrogen isotopes protium, deuterium, and tritium in order to precisely characterize their chemical and physical behavior. Both fundamental isotope-specific properties and possible applications in materials science, environmental, and energy research are being investigated. Interdisciplinary collaboration will develop a deeper understanding of the potential and limitations of these isotopes.
(University of Leipzig, contact: Professor Dr. Knut R. Asmis; also applying: TU Dresden, University of Saarbrücken) 

IRTG “Functional Pi Systems: Activation, Interactions, and Applications (Pi-Sys)”
The research group is dedicated to investigating functional π systems whose activation and interactions at the molecular level determine key chemical processes. The focus is on methods for specifically controlling π-electron systems and thereby accessing new reactivity. This work opens up perspectives for innovative materials and applications ranging from electronic and optical properties to catalytic functions.
(University of Münster, contact: Professor Armido Studer; cooperation partner: Nagoya University, Japan) 

Further information can be found on the website of the DFG.