Call for Maternity Leave Programme Applications

In accordance with its gender balance improvement policy, the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) offers a Maternity Leave Programme to support women scientists re-entering the academic work force after maternity or parental leave.

A typical breaking-down of women’s careers in science is due to maternity. To facilitate the re-entry of women scientists after maternity-/parental leave and to increase gender balance in leading academic positions, the DZIF Academy offers funding to accompany part- or full-time reintegration of DZIF PIs or employees of DZIF-funded projects. The purpose of the programme is to ensure protected research time on an independent project or on an extension of a running project and encourage young mothers to continue or advance their careers in infection research.

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to apply for a maximum of 110,000 euros for personnel costs to carry out an independent research project or to extend an ongoing DZIF project. The funding can cover 12 to 24 months. Personnel costs are intended for half of the candidate’s salary and an additional supporting technician. Project consumables may also be applied for within the 110,000 euros budget for a maximum of 15,000 euros per year.

How the programme works

Personnel resources of the programme can be used to cover half of the candidate’s salary and additional supporting personnel. The remaining half of the candidate’s salary must be matched by an equal contribution by the home institution. Within these parameters and the funding limit of 110,000 euros the programme offers full flexibility on how to allocate the personnel resources depending on the specific needs of the candidate and the project.

Example:

  • 12-month funding for a full time position (50% DZIF funding), 24 months for a 50% technician
  • 16-month funding for a 75% position (37.5% DZIF funding), 12 months for a 100% technician
  • 24-month funding for a ≤ 50% work position (≤ 25% DZIF funding), 16 months for a 75% technician

Each grant is limited to a maximum of 110,000 euros for a period of 12 to 24 months. The personnel funds can be distributed flexibly among the individual candidates and assistants, but may not exceed the maximum amount.

In the event of early termination of an existing project, e.g. due to the candidate leaving her home institution, funding for support staff may continue for up to three months to cover a phasing out period. If the recipient of a Maternity Leave Programme requires a renewed maternity leave for another child, the home institution can apply for an extension of funding from the DZIF Academy to continue the Technical Assistant position during the researcher's absence.

Who can apply?

All women PIs or postdoctoral scientists in DZIF-funded project or infrastructure may apply during maternity leave and/or extended parental leave and up to three months after returning to work. Prerequisite for application is the candidate’s involvement in DZIF research prior to maternity leave. Further, previous scientific work has to be proven by at least one publication as first author. Applications from fathers will be considered in exceptional cases.*

Application is open to physicians with either short-term or permanent work contracts, but to research scientists only with short-term (befristete) contracts.

Application deadline

Applications for the Maternity Leave Programme may be submitted any time during maternity- and/or extended parental leave or, at the latest, three months after returning to work. Applications submitted after the three-month deadline will not be considered. Successful applicants must take up the grant within six months of receiving the confirmation of approval.

Application materials

The following materials are required for application:

  • Online Application form
  • Motivation letter including applicant’s recent DZIF association, description of the position (e.g. E13 or TVÖD/TVL, fixed-term or permanent), applicant’s career plans and how the candidate expects to benefit from the programme in terms of promoting her career
  • Applicant’s CV
  • Validation of maternity or parental leave from home institution
  • Confirmation from the director of the applicant’s home institution to cover half of the candidate’s salary for the complete time period proposed in the application
  • Confirmation from the coordinator of the respective DZIF research area

Please send your application as a single-file PDF document to:

DZIF Academy

* Independent of the Maternity Leave Programme, which has been designed to promote gender balance in leading academic positions and keep women in science, the DZIF also offers technician support via DZIF Flexible Funds during maternity protection and/or fathers on parental leave to guarantee continuation of laboratory work during absence.  This is a separate form of funding that must be approved by the DZIF Executive Board. For more information on how to apply for TA support within the DZIF Flex Funds programme, please contact the DZIF Office.