Einstein BUA/Oxford Visiting Fellow

The programme’s aim is to involve leading scientists and outstanding early career researchers from the University of Oxford in Berlin-based collaborative research platforms to set up a research group. Together, they investigate themes addressing one of the Grand Challenges as defined by the Berlin University Alliance and the University of Oxford. The programme is particularly aimed at researchers whose expertise helps to sustainably promote specific areas of academic excellence in Berlin.

Eligibility

Clusters of Excellence, Einstein Centers, Einstein Research Units, DFG Research Training Groups, and Collaborative Research Centers if the funding period set out in the proposal does not exceed the duration of their current funding period. The eligibility of entities that are not (or are no longer) receiving third-party funding, or whose focus is creative or artistic, is judged on a case-by-case basis. The OX/BER science and research collaboration, defined as a host research alliance, is also eligible to apply if the prospective Fellow plays a key role in building the OX/BER science and research collaboration. Please contact the relevant persons from the BUA and the respective institution in good time.

Funding period

Up to three years, with an option to apply for an extension of two additional years.

Volume

Up to €500,000 for the initial funding period and up to €330,000 for the extension period.

Forms

Programme information

Application form (first period)

Application form (extension)

Budget plan

Budget plan attachment

Reporting form

Code for funding recipients

Guidelines on Equal Opportunity, Diversity, and Career Support

FAQs about the programme "Einstein BUA/Oxford Visiting Fellow"

Yes, if they live abroad and have been engaged in research outside of Germany for five years or longer. 

In addition to Fellow and host, the group must consist of at least two persons engaged in research (excluding student assistants) for the entire funding period. The group members do not have to be funded fully or partially by the Einstein Foundation. Members of the working group have to be allocated at least 75% FTE positions. Scholarships may only be funded in exceptional cases requiring separate justification and authorization from the Einstein Foundation.

No, as long as this does not impact their research activities.

Compensation is based on the host institution’s regulations for visiting scholars. Please note that the compensation cannot be used to substitute the Fellow’s salary at their home institution. Also, the Fellow’s compensation must not exceed 10% of the total funding assigned to the project.

As a rule, all positions in the working group need to be advertised. It is not possible to transfer an entire group to Berlin.

Please conctact the Einstein Foundation in good time; the head office judges eligibility on a case-by-case basis. 

Please contact the relevant person at the respective university / Charité – Universitätsmedizin in good time to confirm that your envisioned application is relevant to the OX/BER research partnership.

The aim of the Oxford/Berlin Research Partnership is to grow into a joint platform that links the stunning range of bottom-up initiatives and helps to identify shared Priority Areas and Grand Challenges in addition to the two current BUA Grand Challenges, which are social cohesion and global health. The list below reflects the ongoing academic discussions within the Partnership, and we want to stress the potential for interdisciplinary and crossdisciplinary work to forge new connections between these fields.

MedSci 
Vaccines and immunology
Cardiovascular medicine
Repair and regenerative paediatrics and developmental medicine
Neuroscience
Digital health

STEM  
AI and digital transformation
Quantum computing
Reproducible science
Sustainable life and processes (including urban living)  

Humanities  
Understanding the human past
Global futures: performance, language, art
Diversity and intercultural communication
Environment and global shared spaces

Social Sciences 
Democratic resilience
Conflict, peace and security
Inequalities and the political economy of inequality
The changing faces of governance