JGU’s Promotion of Young Researchers and Artists

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) considers sustainable support for young researchers and artists one of its core responsibilities.

JGU’s support and funding measures specifically take into account those status groups which are marked by having already achieved a high degree of autonomy in research and teaching: therefore, junior professors and junior research group leaders are part of JGU’s young researchers in addition to doctoral candidates, postdocs and habilitation candidates. When it comes to research and teaching, they are highly dedicated and contribute essentially to the reputation of the entire university.

Qualification, advice and funding

Young artists and researchers form a heterogeneous target group. JGU is willing to go the extra mile in order to provide manifold support programs and continuing education offers where they can gain the necessary qualifications according to their professional goals within or outside academia. Moreover, JGU seeks to provide young researchers with advice tailored to their needs.

Within the framework of JGU’s Internal University Research Funding (“Stufe 1”), young researchers at JGU can apply for funding for their first research projects and networking activities. Young researchers can also receive support in establishing their own junior research group. As regards arts and musical projects, a separate funding line is in place. Furthermore, JGU offers several additional possibilities to support young researchers such as funding for conference travels, publications or stays abroad. In addition to these support schemes, the Research and Technology Transfer Office offers to provide advice and support regarding third-party fundraising.

Graduate promotion

Many structured doctoral programs have been established at JGU. Not only do they offer doctoral candidates excellent research conditions, but also outstanding supervision and networking opportunities. Examples are the MPGC (Max Planck Graduate Center with Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz), TransMed (Mainz Research School of Translational Biomedicine) and the innovative mini-graduate schools in the humanities and social sciences as well as numerous DFG Research Training Groups.

Doctoral candidates at JGU who are not part of a structured program also have access to several qualifications, support and advice offers tailored to their needs. The events organized by the General Postgraduate Program (GPP) or by the Young Female Researchers Program (ProWeWin) are examples of training and qualification possibilities. In addition, specific mentoring programs for young artists and researchers provide individual support. One special program is the Gutenberg Academy Honors Program which brings up to 25 outstanding doctoral candidates and artists at JGU (Junior members) together and provides them with the possibility to participate in a regular intensive exchange with excellent researchers and artists at JGU (Senior members).

JGU runs a diverse range of international programs and cooperations with partners from foreign countries, for example the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN) for which third-party funds have been successfully raised.