Skip to content

CORE

Multi-Annual Thematic Research Programme

Overview
  • Career Stage(s):
    Postdoc & Junior Researcher , Established Researcher , Leading Researcher
  • Funding Type(s):
    International collaboration , Thematically Focussed Project Funding
  • Deadline: 10-04-2025 14:00 CET
  • Call launch: 2025 Call launch: 17 December 2024

PROGRAMME SUMMARY

CORE is the central programme of the FNR. A multi-annual thematic research programme, the prime objective of CORE is to strengthen the scientific quality of Luxembourg’s public research in the country’s research priorities adopted by the Government on 20 December 2019.

CORE projects should be innovative and of high scientific quality. All projects are peer reviewed by international reviewers.

New for 2025

  • Changes to the previous call:Change in the number of proposals per principal investigator (PI) in CORE:

    So far, a PI could submit up to two project proposals (as PI or Co-PI or as a mix of both). Starting for CORE 2025, a principal investigator can be PI or co-PI on one project. A second project can be submitted as PI only in case the project is with international partners receiving co-funding from involved funding agencies participating in the CORE 2025 call (details in section 1.3.). This exception would value the extra effort needed to set up a project with international partners. Please note that a PI can also submit 2 projects with international partners receiving co-funding from involved funding agencies (twice as PI possible). Having a Co-PI from Luxembourg remains not possible in “CORE international” proposals.

    No change for CORE junior: Only one application is allowed for CORE junior track applicants. A CORE junior PI cannot be a Co-PI on another project. No Co-PIs are allowed on CORE junior projects.

    International collaborations (CORE International): The Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ, Canada) will also join the CORE 2025 call.

DURATION

CORE projects have a lifespan of 2 – 3 years and funding is allocated on a competitive basis.

FUNDING SPECIFICS

  • The FNR allocates a maximum financial contribution of 25 MEUR for the CORE 2025 Call.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

  • Deadline for submissions is 10 April 2025, 14:00 CET.
  • Funding decisions will be communicated to applicants by end-October 2025.
  • First time CORE applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the FNR for additional guidance prior to submitting a research proposal.

SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

Within the CORE programme, bilateral and trilateral projects with project partners requesting funding from e.g. DFG (Germany), SNF (Switzerland), FWF (Austria), FWO (Belgium),  FNRS (Belgium), GACR (Czech Republic), NCN (Poland), or Formas (Sweden), and Quebec FRQ (Canada) may be submitted under the lead agency principle.

Further bilateral collaborations are possible with researchers funded by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol (Italy). Proposals have to be submitted as “CORE international” and must fulfil all requirements of the CORE call.

Further funding opportunities for joint projects in cross-border collaborations are supported within the FNR’s INTER programme, see for example Weave.

Find out more about International Cooperation opportunities


See also..