FAQ

Here you may find answers to frequently asked questions that may arise in the context of applying for internal funding through the central research fund (ZFF).

In general, APL professors are also allowed to submit applications if they are entrusted with independent research and teaching tasks according to § 32 para. 4 HHG. However, we would ask you to contact the Research Support team before submitting an application.

ZFF money can be used for project coordination, as this is not provided by other internal or external services.

The proposals are submitted via Converis, the format of the proposal results from the online mask.

All departments, including the School of Art and Design, are represented within the Research Commission. For more information on the Research Commission and their meeting schedule, please visit the following link.

 

The Research Commission usually discusses the submitted proposals within 2-3 weeks after the respective deadline and proposes projects to the Presidential Board for funding. For proposals submitted in May, a decision is made by the Presidential Board in August at the latest. For proposals submitted in the fall, a corresponding decision is made by the Presidential Board in February at the latest, with the aim that funded projects can start in the following month.

Research at the University of Kassel is often interdisciplinary so that the assignment of the proposal to a department does not automatically imply a clear disciplinary affiliation. Your choice of a sub-commission will help the Research Commission to classify which members are best suited to discuss your proposal and present it to the other members of the commission. Proposals in the "Project" and "Coop" funding lines are discussed within the respective subcommittees and presented to the remaining commission members with a funding recommendation. Proposals in the funding lines "Individually qualified", "Pilot" and "Focus" will be intensively reviewed by one commission member close to the subject area and one that is further removed from the subject area. It is then discussed by all members before the entire commission agrees on a funding recommendation.

The two sub-committees are in contact with each other through the Research Commission meetings. The final recommendation for funding is made by the full Research Commission based on recommendations by the sub-committees. If it becomes evident during the discussion of the proposal that it would be better to have it reviewed by the other sub-committee, this will be taken into account in the review process, although this may lead to a delay in the decision-making process.

The aim of the funding line "Individually Qualified" is to promote proposals for excellence and junior group leader programs. During the review, it is also checked whether the proposal for the planned third-party-funded project is promising. Since all programs have their own requirements for applicants, it is advisable to identify a funding line in advance and shaping the proposal accordingly. Alternative funding opportunities can also be identified.

Generally, a flexible use of funds is possible. It is recommended that the use of co-funding is individually tailored to the planned project. If you plan to use the budget e.g. for personnel expenses, the German law WissZeitVG should be taken into account. The Research Support team is available for further information.

No, funding is only possible for use at the University of Kassel, as the funds are assigned to a cost center in your department. The goal of the Central Research fund (ZFF) is to promote researchers at the University of Kassel.

 

In this case, unfortunately, funding is not possible. The budget has to be used to support researchers at the University of Kassel.

Neither the low funding level of up to €10,000 per project nor the project duration of 12 months is suitable for supporting doctoral candidates. Funding is therefore limited to short-term measures to support preparation for a third-party proposals, such as the support of research work by student assistants, the piloting of research methods or presentation of the research idea at professional conferences.

Members of the School of Art and Design can also apply for the "Project" funding line. The prerequisite is that the proposed project aims to raise third-party funds for further research. The applicant should be eligible to apply to the targeted third-party project. Both aspects should be clearly stated in the application.

For further questions regarding the individual funding lines please contact the Research Support team.