The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) has published a new funding guideline in the Federal Gazette of 14 August 2025, which calls for postdoc starting grants in the funding priority “Future eHealth”. The aim is to attract highly qualified young scientists with a mathematical and computer science background to data-driven health research and to develop innovative in silico approaches to improve prevention, diagnosis and therapy. The funding is intended to strengthen Germany as a top location for health research and to meet the increasing demand for interdisciplinary experts.

The guideline addresses advanced doctoral candidates and postdocs who completed their doctorate no more than four years ago and supports the first independent research projects at German universities. These projects are intended to develop new or improved in silico methods, AI-based analyses and computer-aided models for biomedical research. Approaches to standardization and integration of biomedical data, evidence-based decision-making systems, personalized treatment approaches and simulations of complex pathophysiological processes are funded. A solid data basis is a prerequisite, while new data collection is only funded to validate or supplement existing data sets.

The funding is provided as a non-repayable grant for up to three years, with a project lump sum of 20 percent for universities. In addition to the position of project-leading postdoc, additional positions for doctoral students or research assistants can be applied for. Material resources, travel expenses and costs for open access publications are also eligible. Projects must comply with national and international standards for data use and demonstrate a concrete gain in knowledge as well as a clear exploitation plan. The involvement of patients or user groups as well as the consideration of gender-specific analyses and diversity are desired.

State or state-recognized universities in Germany that integrate the funded postdocs into an interdisciplinary research environment are eligible to apply. As a strategic partner of the EU, the DAAD supports international networking. Applications are submitted in two stages via the “easy-Online” electronic system, with a deadline for project outlines until 17 November 2025. The evaluation is based on criteria such as degree of innovation, scientific quality, feasibility and usability.

The directive, which is valid until 31 December 2033, is part of the High-Tech Agenda Germany and complements initiatives such as the Medical Informatics Initiative. It underlines the need to expand research capacities in the field of eHealth in order to keep pace with global dynamics and to improve healthcare in the long term.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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