The TUM-IAS grants special funding for necessary expenses, particularly at the beginning of new research endeavors of IAS Fellows and Focus Research Groups for a limited number of projects. Fellows may also apply for PhD stipends or equivalent (80,000 € over three years) and additional research assistance via the Start-Up fund.

The IAS primarily supports projects with a high potential of landmark advances even if coupled with a high risk of failure. Project proposals can be submitted from all parts of TUM. The key criteria include the outstanding scientific performance of the applicant in the past, especially with projects that have delivered truly unexpected results, and the perspective of a seminal scientific breakthrough in the event of success.

The TUM-IAS has a total annual budget of 1.5 M € available for Start-Up support. The IAS pursues a strategy of scaled funding. Projects may receive preliminary funding and based on their initial success may receive additional funding. In this way, preparatory workshops for larger events, conferences for a limited number of participants, exchanges of scientists, etc. may be financed by the IAS first, with the expectation that ideas for future IAS Focus Research Groups, larger research networks or new research agendas will result from these actions. Precise funding needs should be discussed directly with the IAS office.

Recipients of Start-Up funds must turn in a report to the IAS detailing the results of the funded project as well as technical documentation about the new instrument, device or process developed. The report on development projects can e.g. be in the form of a technical report for the equipment. Workshop reports should include conclusions and plans for the future. These reports will also be used in Institute documentation.

Please contact the IAS directly in order to prepare proposals for research Start-Up support.