CZS Wildcard 2026: Programme to encourage unconventional ideas
With this call for application the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung provides maximum freedom. The funding enables interdisciplinary research groups of three to five scientists to pursue with radically new, unusual, and therefore particularly bold ideas.
Detailed information:
| Programme: | CZS Wildcard |
|---|---|
| Target groups: | Junior research group leaders Professors Postdocs |
| Funding budget: | 750.000 € |
|---|---|
| Full proposal deadline: | 20.04.2026 |
Goals
The CZS wants to push unconventional and bold interdisciplinary research projects in natural sciences, life sciences and/or engineering sciences (STEM fields). If the project does not achieve the expected objectives, these results will also lead to a gain in knowledge. Failure for reasons of content is therefore not possible.
What are the application requirement specifications?
The application must describe a research project in natural sciences, life sciences and/or en-gineering sciences (STEM fields) at the interface of two or more disciplines.
Three to five scientists from two STEM disciplines must apply together for funding together. The persuasiveness of the idea and the team will matter, not prior works or the reputation of the researchers.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applications are submitted by the spokesperson of the consortium. His/her university will be the grant recipient of the project. The spokesperson must work at a state university or university of applied sciences of the states Baden-Württemberg, Thuringia, or Rhineland-Palatinate (CZS funding states).
- in Baden-Württemberg: Universities: Freiburg, Heidelberg, Hohenheim, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Konstanz, Mannheim, Stuttgart, Tübingen, Ulm
Universities of applied sciences: Aalen, Albstadt-Sigmaringen, Biberach, Esslingen, Furtwangen, Heilbronn, Karlsruhe, HTWG Konstanz, Mannheim, Nürtingen-Geislingen, Offenburg, Pforzheim, Ravensburg-Weingarten, Reutlingen, Rottenburg, HfT Stuttgart, HdM Stuttgart, Ulm - Thuringia: Universities: Erfurt, Ilmenau, Jena, Weimar
Universities of applied sciences: Erfurt, Jena, Nordhausen, Schmalkalden - Rhineland-Palatinate: Universities: Kaiserslautern-Landau, Koblenz, Mainz, Trier
Universities of applied sciences: Bingen, Kaiserslautern, Koblenz, Ludwigshafen, Mainz, Trier, Worms
Up to 1/3 of the scientists in the consortium may be employed at
- a non-university research institution and/or
- a university or non-university research institution with headquarters outside the three abovementioned federal states or abroad and/or
- belong to a discipline outside the STEM subject spectrum.
Funding period
The funding period is two years. The earliest possible project start date is 1 January 2027 and the project must start by no later than 1 March 2027.
Application process
Applications can only be submitted digitally via the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung's application portal. Registration is required.
Questions?
We offer a Q&A round via Teams on the following date:
- Thursday, March 05, 2026, 3:00pm to 4:00pm:
Please register for the sessions here
