DFG form 1.

01e 10/11

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Supplementary Instructions
for Applicants of Long Term Projects

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DFG

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The DFG defines long-term research projects in the humanities and social sciences (e.g. editions, dictionaries, lexica, corpora, excavation projects, longitudinal studies in the social or behavioural sciences) as projects that require continuous funding for a period of at least seven years and those for which, on account of their central scientific significance, thorough preparation and well thought-out planning and professional leadership, the DFG considers longer-term funding to be desirable. By acknowledging long-term projects as such, the DFG opens up prospects for these projects for longer-term funding. Long-term projects can be funded for a period of up to 12 years.

Long-term projects, such as excavation projects in archaeology, the compilation of dictionaries and lexica with state-of-the-art technical tools, the publishing of editions of classics or the works of lesser-known greats of intellectual history, not only develop materials for further research, but also yield genuine research benefits themselves through the compilation and analysis of the materials and through further development of the methods required for their work. They contribute to shaping cultural memory and can serve to illustrate that the history of thought, of the sciences and of cultural developments is not a product of progress alone, but is also determined by the narrowing of perspectives and accompanied by a history of the ignored, the ostracised, the suppressed and the forgotten. Making this information accessible can be of great importance in solving today's problems. Despite their individual differences, the long-term projects revolve around a specific type of cultural studies research. This research type is defined not by its long-term approach, but rather by an intrinsic effort to safeguard and elucidate important data and processes involved in our cultural reality. It is for these reasons that the DFG pays special attention to this type of research.

In the behavioural and social sciences, studies that examine long-term change processes that require particularly complex research methods have increased. This applies not only to longitudinal studies, but also to corresponding, theoretically legitimised sequences of crosssectional studies on comparable populations. Studies of this type also require funding with a longer perspective and planning security.

Following the DFGs standard review process, the Joint Committee makes the final decision on inclusion into the long-term funding programme. The review process is generally carried out in written form, though in some cases, on-site assessments and discussions are held with project participants. Independent of the requested funding duration, proposals must include details on the overall timeline as well as the key work steps. Furthermore, in addition to the details requested in the Proposal Preparation Instructions - Project Proposals
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Kennedyallee 40 53175 Bonn Postanschrift: 53170 Bonn Telefon: + 49 228 885-1 Telefax: + 49 228 885-2777 postmaster@dfg.de www.dfg.de

DFG

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http://www.dfg.de/formulare/54_01/54_01_en.pdf

the following aspects specific to long-term projects must be addressed:

1.

Project leadership All researchers participating in the editorship should be named and their function within the project stated. If an advisory council or similar panel has been established, its members should be listed.

2.

Project preparations For projects involving editions and dictionaries, the type and extent of the materials that are to be edited should be outlined. Furthermore, reasons justifying an editorial or lexical presentation of the materials beyond their archival availability should be given. An explanation is to be provided as to whether the relevant material has been collected and is available. If applicable, proof of access rights is to be provided. It is recommended that documents on publishing rights and, if applicable, a publishing contract be presented.

Long-term social-science research projects should demonstrate what practical measures are planned for maintaining a panel and for continuous data management. These include statements about what institutional arrangements have been made to ensure continuation of the studies by persons other than the primary investigators. The data documentation plans must allow for the long-term use of the data. 3. Time and work planning The number of volumes, the structure of the planned project and the resulting timeline, particularly the total duration, must be specified. Please explain whether the project can be broken down into relatively self-contained sub-phases (e.g. the publishing of letters, works and other bequests of an author) with respect to subject matter and time. For editions, please describe whether sub-editions or selected editions are possible or if supplementary volumes of existing editions might suffice.

For long-term social-science projects, the planned survey phases and the associated timeline are to be specified. In this context, an explanation is to be provided on how the
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Kennedyallee 40 53175 Bonn Postanschrift: 53170 Bonn Telefon: + 49 228 885-1 Telefax: + 49 228 885-2777 postmaster@dfg.de www.dfg.de

DFG

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long-term project can also yield short-term results and what intermediate results can be expected.

For archaeological projects, the timeline and work plan should distinguish between a field research phase and a processing/publication phase. The overall duration must include both phases. 4. Editorial features The principles for the text layout, text-critical remarks and commenting are to be explained in detail; for lexica, the choice of lemmas and article design are to be explained; text samples are encouraged. 5. Personnel The qualifications of the available employees for the specific tasks should be made clear in this section. Any employment-law issues that may arise as a result of long-term employment should be given early consideration and clarified with the university administration and the DFG Head Office.

Because they require a higher level of planning security, projects accepted for the list of longterm projects are relieved of the direct financial pressure of the individual grants programme, but are still subject to strict, periodic, interim reviews. The funding of long-term projects includes not only their awarded funding, but also the scientific accompaniment, which is ensured through the periodic reviews of the work reports and renewal proposals as well as the associated results and any remarks made by the reviewers, which are communicated to the researchers.

Responsibility for the funding of long-term projects and for advising project leaders and interested researchers lies with the programme director of the respective subject area. For questions that span multiple projects and that affect the decision-making process and the overall situation of the long-term project, as well as the relationships of long-term DFG funding to that of the academy programme, please contact the coordinator for long-term funding (Dr. Manfred Nieen, tel.: 0228/885-2393, manfred.niessen@dfg.de).

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Kennedyallee 40 53175 Bonn Postanschrift: 53170 Bonn Telefon: + 49 228 885-1 Telefax: + 49 228 885-2777 postmaster@dfg.de www.dfg.de

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