We cordially invite you to the non-binding, virtual information session on September 29, 2026, at 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm (CET). During the event, we will explain the concept of the Application Days and present their content, timeframe and the formal modalities. Your questions around the objectives and offers of the Application Days will be addressed.

Please register by writing an email to applicationdays∂for.kit.edu by September 15. We will confirm your registration and send you the link to the meeting room of the event afterwards.

• You have completed your PhD 2-5 years ago and currently hold a postdoctoral position at a university or a research institution, preferably abroad.
• You have completed your PhD 2-5 years ago and have held a postdoctoral position at KIT since 1 May of 2026 or for a shorter period of time.
• You would like to become an independent junior researcher at KIT by establishing your own Helmholtz Investigator Group or Emmy Noether Junior Research Group.
• You intend to prepare a funding proposal for one of these groups during the approximate period of October 2026 - spring 2027 and you would like to take advantage of being extensively supported by the KIT Research Office during the whole application process.
• You have been contacted by a professor at KIT with the advice to attend the Junior Research Group Application Days.

If so, we would invite you to make yourself familiar with the two funding schemes and the respective criteria via the following links:

• the Helmholtz Investigator Group (The next call will be published in November 2026.)
• the DFG Emmy Noether Junior Research Group

During the information session in September, we will introduce both funding schemes and will explain which support you can expect from us in the course of the application process in general and during the Junior Research Group Application Days in January in particular.

The Junior Research Group Application Days will take place from November 24 to 26, 2026 at KIT.

Immediately after the information session in September, you can start the exchange with your potential host institute at KIT and draft a research idea for your junior research group proposal which you should develop in the course of the following months. During the Applications Days in November 2026, supported by a dedicated team of KIT experts, you will have the opportunity to further develop your research idea and the text of your proposal in an intensive three-day program dedicated exclusively to this purpose.

Workshop on Helmholtz Investigator Group and DFG Emmy Noether Junior Research Group

The KIT Research Office will offer a workshop on both funding schemes to provide advice on how best to prepare your proposal. All aspects of the application process will be addressed.

In addition, you will receive background information on the science landscape in Germany and on how leading a junior research group brings you closer to a professorship. There will be time for discussion.

Writing Room

How to approach the writing of your proposal? How to read a funding call? How to address the funding criteria? Which formal aspects do you need to pay attention to? How to structure your proposal? How to calculate the budget of your proposal?

The KIT Research Office invites you to join the writing room. While writing parts of your proposal you will be able to discuss all upcoming questions with our experienced advisors.

Exchange with host institute at KIT

Use the Junior Research Group Application Days for discussions with your host institute and find out about research topics that match your own research interests.

The travel expenses of external candidates for the Application Days can be covered by KIT. Important: Reimbursement is only possible if a guest lecture is given at the institute during the stay. 

Please note that you have to make your own arrangements for travel and accommodation.

KIT will reimburse you according to the national travel cost law (“Landesreisekostengesetz”). Reimbursements include costs of a round trip to Karlsruhe and accommodation.

Arrival and departure

Travel costs are only covered for economy class (flight and train). Please keep the original, printed flight or train tickets and boarding passes. They are required to refund your costs. Please use public transport like train or bus instead of taxis.

Hotel and accommodation

Please keep the original hotel invoice and all proofs of payments, as they are required to refund your costs. Please note that KIT only covers the costs up to 95 Euro per night incl. breakfast and up to a total of 4 nights.

Health insurance

If you need any health insurance coverage, please make sure that you buy your own policy. These costs are not covered by KIT.

Reimbursement of travel expenses

Your expenses will be reimbursed after your stay.

Please note: Reimbursement transfers to non-European bank accounts are being taxed.

Contact for questions regarding reimbursement of travel expenses: applicationdays∂for.kit.edu