Sonderforschungsbereiche

Sonderforschungsbereiche (SFB) are large-scale, long-term interdisciplinary research centers at universities in Germany, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). They are designed to enable teams from multiple disciplines to pursue a defined research program addressing central questions that require cross-disciplinary collaboration and substantial shared resources.

Typically anchored at a single university, an SFB comprises several subprojects coordinated under a central research program. Participants include researchers at various stages, from doctoral students to senior investigators, and centers often provide shared facilities, workshops, and training opportunities to foster exchange across disciplines.

Governance and funding: An SFB is led by a spokesperson and a management body, and it maintains an external advisory board. Project groups are organized under the central program, with regular seminars and meetings. Funding is awarded by the DFG for multi-year periods and subject to external evaluations. Renewal depends on scientific merit, the level of interdisciplinary integration, and progress toward the program’s goals, with potential further funding in successive periods.

Impact: SFBs have contributed to advances in numerous fields, supported the development of junior researchers, and helped establish long-term collaborations within and across universities. They are a central instrument in Germany’s strategy to promote interdisciplinary research and international competitiveness.