The Emmy Noether Programme of the German Research Foundation (DFG) gives exceptionally qualified early career researchers the chance to qualify for the post of professor at a university by leading an independent junior research group for a period of six years. The programme is open to postdocs and junior professors with temporary contracts who are at an early stage in their research careers.

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences supports independent junior group leaders in the Emmy Noether Programme with up to 50,000 euros. More information can be found here.
 

The European Research Council (ERC) was established in 2007 and funds high-risk, basic research at EU level. It is funded through the EU's Research Framework Programme and is aimed at individual researchers who wish to carry out a research project in Europe. ERC Starting Grants are aimed at early career researchers. Researchers of any nationality with 2–7 years of experience since completion of PhD, a scientific track record showing great promise and an excellent research proposal can apply.

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences supports ERC Starting Grantees with up to 50,000 euros. More information can be found here.
 

The Return Programme of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) offers researchers the opportunity to return from abroad and set up a junior research group at a university in NRW. Funding of up to 1.25 million euros over five years is provided. The Programme is open to early career researchers who can demonstrate 2–6 years of excellent scientific work after their doctorate, who have been working abroad for at least a year at the time of the funding approval, and who previously had their centre of life in Germany.