Joint Research Call on Intelligent Numerical Mathematics (iNum)
In this regard, the Germany Sino-German Scholarship 2026, supported through DFG Research Grants Germany and NSFC China Research Funding, promotes advanced bilateral research under the NSFC-DFG Call 2025 on Intelligent Numerical Mathematics (iNum). This joint program strengthens Sino-German research collaboration by funding innovative projects in Numerical Mathematics, Scientific Computing, Machine Learning–based numerical methods, and high-performance computing research. The initiative, part of the Germany Sino-German Scholarship 2026 framework, aims to advance computational science through coordinated proposals developed by German and Chinese researchers.
Degree Level
The NSFC-DFG 2025 iNum Call addresses established researchers and PIs eligible for competitive research grants in either Germany or China. To be eligible, applicants should be working in recognized academic or research positions. Although there is no degree level requirement, applicants must be eligible in the respective systems.
Research Areas Supported
Projects: Must be related to iNum, and some of the project topics are:
1. Learning-Based Numerical Methods
- Adaptive numerical schemes
- Data-driven and learning-based numerics
- Intelligent Solver Strategies and Optimization
- Regularization methods and preconditioners
2. Numerically Efficient Learning Techniques
- Optimization and sparsification
- Regularization strategies
- Scalable and parallel learning algorithms
- Efficient Computation for Machine Learning Systems
3. Model Reduction and Multiscale Approaches
- Reduced-order modeling
- Numerical multiscale techniques
- Iterative solver improvements
4. Computational and Engineering Applications
- Computational science and engineering
- Applied mathematics simulations
- High-performance computing applications
- Advanced scientific computing methods
These domains reflect priority themes in computational mathematics funding, machine learning numerical integration, and iNum research call topics.
Benefits
- Funding Duration: Up to three years
- Financial Support:
- German PIs receive DFG Research Grants (Sachbeihilfe)
- Chinese PIs are funded through NSFC
- International Research Collaboration: Enhances long-term Germany China joint research programs
- Access to Research Facilities: Includes computational infrastructure and interdisciplinary expertise
- Open Science Requirements: Expected publication of results, datasets, and source code
Eligible Nationalities
- German researchers applying through DFG
- Chinese researchers applying through NSFC
- Only joint Sino-German research teams are eligible.
Eligibility Criteria
For German Applicants
- Must meet DFG Research Grants Program (Form 50.01) eligibility
- Non-university researchers must collaborate with a university (Kooperationspflicht)
For Chinese Applicants
- Must meet NSFC eligibility rules for project leadership
General Requirements
- Both PIs must be eligible in their respective national systems
- No proposals related to military applications
- Projects must align with scientific computing, numerical mathematics, or Intelligent Numerical Mathematics iNum research topics
Application Procedure
1. Joint Proposal Preparation
Applicants must prepare a joint research proposal in English, including project objectives, research methodology, work plan, team details, and resource requirements. Proposals must be identical for DFG and NSFC.
2. Separate Submissions
- German PIs submit via the DFG electronic system (elan)
- Chinese PIs submit through NSFC channels
3. Key Dates
- Submission Deadline (DFG): 30 October 2025
- elan Registration (First-Time Users): 23 October 2025
- Expected Funding Decision: May 2026
4. Required Documents
- Project description (DFG Form 53.01)
- CVs of all PIs (DFG Form 53.200)
- Budget details for German applicants
- Safety statements on dual-use research and cooperation risks
5. Evaluation Process
DFG and NSFC independently review proposals. Funding is approved only if both agencies recommend the project.
6. Cooperation Agreement
Successful teams must sign a cooperation agreement addressing data protection, legal compliance, and Chinese research regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Who can apply for the NSFC-DFG 2025 iNum Call?
Established researchers and principal investigators in Germany and China who meet the eligibility criteria of DFG and NSFC may apply jointly.
- How long is the funding duration?
The program supports research projects for up to three years.
- Can researchers from outside Germany and China apply?
No. Only German and Chinese researchers may participate in this Sino-German research collaboration.
- Do the proposals need to be identical for both DFG and NSFC?
Yes. Both agencies require submitting the same joint proposal.
- What fields are supported under this call?
Projects must fall within Intelligent Numerical Mathematics, Scientific Computing, Numerical Mathematics, model reduction, multiscale modeling, or machine-learning-based numerical methods.
- When will applicants receive results?
Funding decisions are expected by May 2026.
- Is research with military applications eligible?
No. Projects with any military relevance are strictly excluded.
