MERCUR
MERCUR is the inter-university funding organization of the University Alliance Ruhr.
Project Funding
The aim of the program is to increase the number of sustainable research collaborations and networks between the universities of the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr). The funded projects should lead to applications for further funding from research funding organizations such as the German Research Foundation (seed funding). For this reason, the “project funding” format finances the preparation of joint preliminary work as an important prerequisite for the successful acquisition of cooperation projects.
Key Data on the Application and Selection Process: What is Important to Know?
Time Frame
As a rule, one application round per year is carried out within project funding. The first call for proposals starts on April 1, 2025. The application process comprises two stages (proposal, full application) and takes approximately seven months from the deadline for the outline submission to the funding decision by the Coordination Council. The deadline for submitting outlines is May 15, 2025.
Procedure
The outlines received will be evaluated by MERCUR and the UA Ruhr Vice-Rectorates for Research in joint consultation with regard to their strategic relevance for the UA Ruhr. On the basis of the strategic evaluation, MERCUR invites applicants whose projects have been positively evaluated to submit a full proposal. The deadline for submitting the full proposal is August 29, 2025.
Independent expert opinions will be obtained for the evaluation of the full proposals. The final funding decision is made by the Coordination Council of the UA Ruhr on the basis of the expert reports and a funding recommendation from the Vice-Rectorate Research.
How Does the Application Process Work?
Applications must be submitted electronically. Applicants are requested to use the outline form on the website for the outline and to send it by e-mail to the UA Ruhr office (mercuruaruhrde, contact persons are Dr. Hans Stallmann and Dr. Kathrin Kraushaar) together with the attachments specified in the form.
Important Documents
Advice on the Procedure
You are welcome to seek advice on the entire project funding procedure. Contact persons are
Holger Kahle
Assistant UA Ruhr/Research Alliance Ruhr (RUB)
Tel.: +49 234 3229711
Send email
Dr. Felix Stehle
Head of the Grants Office in the Research Support Services/TU Dortmund University
Tel.: +49 231 755 6026
Send email
Catharina Yacoub
Employee in the Science Support Center/University of Duisburg-Essen
Tel.: 0201 183 6272
