2026 Joint Korean-German Research Projects in the Engineering Sciences (NRF-DFG 2026)

As an expression of the fruitful scientific collaboration between their two countries, the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) are pleased to announce the launch of a new call for joint Korean-German research proposals in the engineering sciences. This call provides funding for joint research projects carried out between highly qualified researchers in the Republic of Korea and their German counterparts. The joint proposals have to be based on a close interaction and exchange between the Korean and German research teams, and should present joint project goals and a joint work plan with balanced contributions from all project partners.

The collaborative projects selected to take part in this joint initiative will receive research funding for a period of three years. The NRF will fund the Korean project components, whilst the DFG will fund the components to be carried out in Germany. Based on written reviews, a joint Korean-German panel will select approximately 20 projects for funding. 

Table of Content

• Summary
• Requirements
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineMarch 11, 2026
• ValueFully Funded
• Study LevelMasters , PhD
• SponsorGerman Research Foundation (DFG)
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Requirements

• Each research project must be jointly conducted by applicants from Korea and Germany. The principal investigators on each side must be eligible to apply to their respective funding organisation.
• The funding organisations retain the right not to process or reject proposals if they fail to comply with any national rules.
• The DFG strongly welcomes proposals from researchers of all genders and sexual identities, from different ethnic, cultural, religious, ideological or social backgrounds, from different career stages, types of universities and research institutions, and with disabilities or chronic illness.

Project Requirements

• Applicants should demonstrate how bringing together researchers based in Korea and Germany will add value and advance their research. It is expected that each partner contributes substantially to the common project. Projects should be integrated but do not have to be symmetrical in terms of funds applied for. However, work packages are expected to be delivered with a reasonably equal distribution between the partners and schedules should be well-coordinated. 

Check also:
2026 Fully Funded Humboldt Research Fellowship
2026 Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarship

Application Deadline

How To Apply

For Germany

• Inquiries related to this call: Dr. Wolfgang Wachter, Physics and Chemistry, Tel. +49 228 885-2454, [email protected](externer Link)
• Inquiries related to general questions on Korean-German cooperation: Raoul Wagner, International Affairs, Tel. +49 228 885-2217, [email protected](externer Link)

For Korea

• Sujeong Seo, Tel. +82 2 3460 5722, [email protected]

For more information, kindly visit German Research Foundation (DFG) webpage.