The Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation (EKFS) has unveiled its groundbreaking ‘Else Kröner Excellence Grants 2025’ initiative, designed to attract leading medical researchers from the United States to Germany. This ambitious program is backed by a substantial budget of 10 million euros for 2025 and aims to extend its funding in subsequent years. Motivated by the increasingly restrictive environment concerning independent research and academic freedom in the US, this initiative offers significant opportunities in Germany, positioning the country as a premier hub for medical research.
Motivation Behind the Initiative
Addressing Academic Challenges in the US
Dr. Dieter Schenk, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of EKFS, emphasized the foundation’s intention to counter the challenging prospects encountered by researchers in the US. The landscape in the US has seen rising constraints on academic freedom and diminishing funding support, which impede pioneering research. By introducing this initiative, EKFS plans to create a stable and supportive environment in Germany that nurtures groundbreaking medical research. Schenk underscored the significance of Germany providing a conducive space for scientific inquiry that is free from the limitations hindering researchers in the United States.
Long-Term Prospects for Medical Researchers
The foundation’s efforts are focused on offering long-term prospects for exceptional scientists who are contemplating relocation. Through this initiative, EKFS encourages German medical faculties and universities to submit applications, thus establishing a robust setting for innovative medical research. The program aims to ensure long-term employment and stability for the recruited researchers, fostering an environment where scientific talent can flourish. Institutions hosting these scientists must guarantee outstanding research conditions that promote sustained scientific contributions and breakthroughs in medical research. This approach aligns with EKFS’s goal of enhancing Germany’s appeal as a leading research destination.
Details of the Funding Program
Flexible and Alternative Funding Models
The ‘Else Kröner Excellence Grants 2025’ are structured to provide flexible funding options that meet varying needs. Medical faculties and universities can apply for three-million-euro grants to establish professorships, with the prospect of stabilization after six years. EKFS also welcomes alternative funding models that align with the program’s objectives, as long as they significantly attract elite medical researchers to Germany. Prof. Dr. Michael Madeja, Chairman of the Board of EKFS, has highlighted the foundation’s openness to diverse funding models, understanding that the primary criterion for funding is its impact on drawing outstanding talent to the country.
Funding proposals must demonstrate a robust concept incorporating contributions from the host institution to ensure feasibility and sustainability. The emphasis is placed on creating a conducive environment that allows researchers to continue their pioneering work. By accommodating different funding models, EKFS seeks to foster an adaptable and attractive research landscape, capable of enticing notable scientists and researchers from the US to relocate to Germany. This flexible approach caters to the distinct needs of various institutions and enhances the overall effectiveness of the recruitment process.
Submitting Applications
German medical faculties and universities are encouraged to submit informal draft applications by June 15, 2025. These applications must outline collaborative plans with distinguished US scientists, detailing long-term employment commitments and the exceptional research environment available to the hosting institutions. Institutions are required to present strong, viable funding concepts supplemented with additional contributions to illustrate the sustainability of their employment plans for recruited scientists. The submission process is designed to ensure detailed and comprehensive proposals that align with the foundation’s vision for transformative medical research collaboration.
Applications should highlight the research environment’s prominence, emphasizing factors such as relevant Clusters of Excellence or Collaborative Research Centres. This serves to demonstrate the host institution’s commitment to providing outstanding conditions for the scientist’s field of expertise. Furthermore, detailed documentation on the anticipated employment model and support structures that will be in place for the scientist’s integration and research activities is crucial. This structured approach underpins EKFS’s goal to create a thriving research ecosystem while maintaining the integrity and rigor of the selection process.
Criteria for Selection
International Recognition and Long-term Employment
Applications must reflect the recruited scientist’s internationally recognized achievements in medical research, including clear justifications for their relocation to Germany. This recognition is essential for showcasing the caliber of scientific talent being attracted through the program. Benchmarks of international recognition could include prestigious honors like the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, ERC Advanced Grant, or being an investigator for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Furthermore, applications must outline concrete plans for long-term employment, ensuring the stability and continuous support required for the scientist’s work.
Documentation for each application should emphasize why relocating to Germany would benefit the scientist’s research activities. This includes describing how Germany’s environment would offer better opportunities for scientific advancement compared to their current situation in the US. The comprehensive approach to evaluating applications ensures that only highly qualified and committed researchers who align with EKFS’s vision for excellence in medical research are selected. This criterion underscores the foundation’s dedication to maintaining high standards and fostering a flourishing research community.
Application Process and Confidentiality
The Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation (EKFS) has introduced its pioneering ‘Else Kröner Excellence Grants 2025’, aimed at drawing top-tier medical researchers from the United States to Germany. With a robust budget of 10 million euros earmarked for 2025, the program is set to extend its financial support in the following years. This initiative is spurred by the increasingly restrictive climate impacting independent research and academic freedom in the US. By providing substantial resources and support, EKFS seeks to position Germany as a leading center for medical research, offering an appealing alternative to the constraints faced in the US. This program not only highlights Germany’s commitment to advancing medical research but also underscores its dedication to fostering a thriving environment for innovative scientific endeavors. Researchers opting for this program can expect a fertile ground for breakthroughs and collaboration, further establishing Germany’s reputation as a global leader in medical research advancements.
