How research projects run

A research project involves academics, and researchers using various methods to investigate a distinct issue in a systematic manner and within a limited time period. The objective is to gain new insights, augment existing knowledge or resolve specific issues.

What form does a research project take?



A research project comprises a number of successive steps:

• Investigating the topic to determine the current status, also referred to as the ‘state of the art’
• Formulating research issues and hypotheses
• Determining suitable for the research project
• Collating data and conducting research
• Evaluating the data and reviewing hypotheses
• Documenting the results and publishing them in specialist media

At a university, there is sometimes also a call for applications relating to the research team: the various uni faculties usually announce research projects in the context of studies. Students can apply to be involved in these projects and have them accredited.

Funding of research projects

In Germany, there are numerous opportunities for funding research projects at universities and other research institutions. Federal government, federal state governments, private foundations and companies provide financial support for such projects.

Well-known funding institutions include:

• Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (): a focal point for the funding of research projects at universities and research institutes
• : offers various funding programmes for different sectors
• European Union: supports international research projects via programmes such as Horizon Europe

Funding often involves competition procedures in which the project applications are peer reviewed by experts. These applications need to contain information on the project’s objective, methodology, schedule and budget. This task is often undertaken by .

Research projects are decisive in the further development of science, technology, and also society. Universities play a key role here by integrating students into research projects at an early stage and as part of their studies.