Recognising the importance of international collaborations in promoting scientific discoveries, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation; DFG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on research cooperation. To facilitate the support of collaborative work between US researchers and their German counterparts under this MoU, the Division of Chemistry (CHE) and the Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems (CBET) at the NSF and the Divisions of Physics and Chemistry (PC) and Engineering Sciences (ING 1) at the DFG announced a Lead Agency Procedure. 

The goal of this Lead Agency Procedure is to reduce current barriers to working internationally by allowing US and German researchers to submit a single collaborative proposal that will undergo a single review process while funding organisations maintain budgetary control over their awards. The pro-spective investigators must discuss within their research team where they feel the largest proportion of research lies and agree on a Lead Agency (either DFG or NSF). To be eligible for funding through this Lead Agency Procedure, proposals will need to have a research focus that falls within the scope of a participating division/programme at both the DFG and the NSF. 

Proposals under this Lead Agency Procedure will need to have a research focus relevant to DFG’s subject areas: 3.11–3.17 Chemistry, 4.21 Process Engineering, Technical Chemistry and 4.22 Fluid Mechanics, Technical Thermodynamics and Thermal Energy Engineering.

Proposals must be submitted in accordance with the proposal preparation requirements of the chosen Lead Agency. Researchers in Germany and the US must comply with the respective agency’s eligibility criteria. Research Proposals where DFG is Lead Agency are accepted on a continuous basis from 1. September 2025 at the earliest. Applications submitted earlier cannot be accepted.