Drive the future of computational science with fully-funded research collaboration between Germany and China. The prestigious Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) have launched the 2025 iNum Call, a unique bilateral scholarship and research grant program. This initiative, titled “Intelligent Numerical Mathematics” (iNum), is designed to pioneer cutting-edge methods that integrate numerical algorithms with machine learning.
Key Snapshot:
- Funding Organizations: German Research Foundation (DFG) & National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)
- Program Theme: Intelligent Numerical Mathematics (iNum)
- Funding Duration: Up to 3 Years
- Application Deadline: October 30, 2025 (for German PIs via DFG)
Scholarship Overview
This is a specialized research grant for established Principal Investigators (PIs) from Germany and China. The program funds joint research projects for a period of up to three years, fostering deep scientific collaboration and advancing the field of intelligent computational methods.
Degree Level
This is not a student scholarship. It is a research grant program for established researchers and principal investigators (PIs) who are eligible to apply for competitive research grants in their respective countries (Germany or China).
Available Subjects (Research Focus Areas)
Proposed projects must fall squarely within the scope of Intelligent Numerical Mathematics (iNum), including:
- Learning-Based Numerics: Developing AI-driven adaptivity criteria, preconditioners, and solver strategies.
- Numerically Efficient Learning: Creating optimized, scalable, and parallel methods for machine learning models.
- Advanced Computational Methods: Innovations in model reduction, multi-scale methods, and iterative solvers.
- Practical Applications: Applying these intelligent methods to problems in computational science, engineering, and applied mathematics.
Scholarship Benefits
Selected research teams will receive comprehensive support:
- Sustained Funding: Financial support for up to 3 years to ensure deep, meaningful research.
- Dual-Channel Financing: German researchers are funded via DFG’s Research Grants, while Chinese researchers are funded directly by the NSFC.
- Prestigious Collaboration: Become part of an elite Sino-German research network.
- Resource Access: Gain access to partner institutions’ facilities, computational resources, and interdisciplinary expertise.
- Open Science Mandate: Contribute to the global knowledge base by publishing results, source code, and data.
Eligible Nationalities
This is a bilateral program. Applications are open only to:
- German researchers applying through the DFG.
- Chinese researchers applying through the NSFC.
Joint applications from a German and Chinese PI are mandatory.
Eligibility Criteria
- For German Applicants: Must be eligible under DFG’s Research Grants Program (form 50.01). Researchers from non-university institutions must cooperate with a German university.
- For Chinese Applicants: Must fulfill all NSFC eligibility requirements.
- Joint Requirement: Both the German and Chinese Principal Investigators (PIs) must be formally eligible to apply for grants in their respective countries.
- Exclusion: Proposals with military applications or links to military institutions are not eligible.
Application Procedure
A successful application requires careful coordination between the German and Chinese partners.
- Develop a Joint Proposal: Prepare a comprehensive research proposal in English, detailing objectives, methodology, work plan, and team resources.
- Submit Separately to Each Agency:
- German PIs must submit their proposal electronically via the DFG’s
elansystem. - Chinese PIs must submit their proposal to the NSFC.
- German PIs must submit their proposal electronically via the DFG’s
- Meet the Deadline: The submission deadline for the German side (DFG) is October 30, 2025. First-time DFG applicants must register in the
elansystem by October 23, 2025. - Required Documents (for DFG submission):
- Project description (using DFG form 53.01)
- CVs of all Principal Investigators (using DFG form 53.200)
- Detailed budget (for the German side)
- Safety and ethical statements regarding dual-use research and international cooperation.
Important Dates and Decision Timeline
- Registration Deadline (elan for new users): October 23, 2025
- Full Proposal Deadline: October 30, 2025
- Expected Decision Date: May 2026
Ready to advance the frontiers of intelligent numerical mathematics? This is a premier opportunity for established researchers in Germany and China to lead a transformative international project. Ensure you coordinate with your international partner and adhere strictly to your national funding agency’s guidelines.
