All postdoctoral academic members of the Berlin University Alliance are eligible to apply. Postdoctoral researchers applying for funding must already demonstrate scientific independence according to relevant programs (e.g. junior research group leader, Emmy-Noether groups, etc.) or according to the criteria of their discipline. Appropriate evidence and explanations must be submitted.

Visiting professors are not eligible to apply. S-professorships or temporary professorships, on the other hand, are.

A valid employment contract of at least 50% with a collaborative institution is decisive for eligibility to apply.

The funding of the position must be demonstrably secured over the entire course of the project (employment contract). If the employment contract is not guaranteed until the expected end of the project, a letter from the institute management or the dean's office can be attached regarding the effort to provide employment for this person until the end of the project.