CZS Nexus | Changed application process
The funding programme supports outstanding young scientists who wish to implement exciting ideas at interfaces between various STEM fields.
Changed application process
For the CZS Nexus Program 2027, which will be announced in September 2026, a maximum of 100 project outlines can be accepted.
If this maximum number is reached, the application portal will be closed for further submissions and the applicant will be informed that no further applications will be accepted. Only complete project outlines will be included in the further selection process; it is not possible to submit additional documents. Incomplete outlines will be rejected for formal reasons.
The limitation is necessary in order to
- ensure that the content of all outlines is examined appropriately and at a high level of quality,
- make efficient use of the personnel and time resources available to all those involved,
- to keep the chances of funding at a reasonable level.
In this way, we guarantee that a high-quality, careful and fair assessment of all submitted project outlines can continue to take place.
Do you have any further questions about the changed application process?
Join us for our information session on June 10, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (ID: 328 644 415 017 373, Passcode: 5C255Ba3), or check out our Q&A:
Information Sheet – Project Outline Submission
Please note that the information provided here pertains to the submission of the project outline. More detailed information can be found in the call for proposals, which is expected to be published in early September 2026 and communicated on the website. The exact deadline for submitting the project outline will also be available there.
Goals
The purpose of the CZS Nexus programme is to support young scientists on their path to an academic career. To this end, we offer postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to establish their own interdisciplinary research group.
The funding amounts to up to 1.5 million euros per junior research group over a period of five or six years.
In addition to the project funding applied for, the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung will pay a flat-rate overhead fee amounting to 20 percent of the total funding amount.
The research group must be established at a state university or non-university research institution in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate or Thuringia. The prerequisite is that the research project is located at the interface between two or more disciplines in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Eligible are:
- the position of group leader (postdoctoral researcher)
- personnel funds for scientific and technical personnel for the research group (e.g. postdocs, doctoral students, assistants)
- investment funds for large-scale equipment and research infrastructures
- material resources
- funds for science communication, networking, transfer and outreach activities
- relocation costs of the applicant
Selection procedure
The selection of funding recipients takes place on a competitive basis and is overseen by external experts.
