Call for Applications for the Career Advancement Program

• Regular calls for submission of proposals and evaluation by the CMMC Executive Board.
• Funding support of 10.800 € for flexible use for consumables/personnel costs including 800 € travel expenses per year for three years (plus two years).
• CMMC membership and participation in all CMMC activities.
• Extension of the CAP Funding for additional two years after positive external evaluation.
• If applicable, laboratory and office space will be provided in the CMMC Research Building for the specific funding period.
• Transferable skills training and hands-on mentoring opportunities.
• Access to the CMMC infrastructure including administrative support
• Start: planned for July 1, 2026
• For further information, please visit: Career Advancement Program 

• A strong interest in disease-oriented research is expected with a focus on molecular mechanisms in one of the three research areas of the CMMC.
• Eligible applicants have to be members of the University of Cologne and do not hold a professorship (W1/W2/W3 professorship, “Stiftungs- und außerplanmäßige Professur”).
• Applicants are required to demonstrate that they are on a clearly defined trajectory toward establishing an independent and successful career in the field of innovative molecular biomedical research. At the time of submission, applicants must not exceed 40 years of age. Periods of parental leave will be taken into account in accordance with DFG guidelines (Point 2.1.4).
• Extramural funding is required: running project funded by the DFG including CRC projects, the German Cancer Aid or ERC funding at the time of submission. Intramural funding is not considered. Junior Research Groups funded by the CMMC or other intramural sources are excluded.
• Subsequent CAP applications are not possible; the maximum CAP funding period is 3 years plus additional 2 years after a positive external evaluation of the CAP progress report.
• Next CAP Funding Period: 07/2026 - 06/2029.

CAP applications are evaluated by the members of the CMMC Executive Board. The research interest of the applicant should be molecular biomedical disease-oriented with scientific originality that integrates in one of the three research areas of the CMMC. The application must be of high scientific quality and should meet the standards given by the German Research Foundation.

• The research focus of the applicant in the mid-term of his/her academic career should reflect the significance for molecular medicine and sustainability in disease understanding
• Previous scientific achievements of the applicant have to be demonstrated by the publication record in peer-reviewed journals and the acquisition of third-party funds.