The German Quaternary Association (DEUQUA e.V.) promotes early career researchers (hereinafter referred to as ECR) through programs that support the organisation of and participation in conferences, excursions and summer schools. The term ECR includes Bachelor's and Master's students, doctoral candidates, and postdocs whose dissertation defense dates back no more than four years at the time of submitting their application. The events can also be organised and carried out by non-ECRs. The DEUQUA is committed to diversity, equal opportunities and non-discriminatory funding. 

The basic prerequisite for funding is that the event serves to impart and deepen quaternary scientific knowledge and/or analytical methods and is generally compatible with DEUQUA's statutes. 

Funding from the DEUQUA is possible if it is plausibly demonstrated in the submitted applications that the events pursue a high scientific standard and place great value on networking. When submitting applications, the funding criteria of the respective funding programs must be taken into account (see criteria catalogues).

The amount of financial support and the number of funded projects depends on the DEUQUA's budget situation. Priority is given to the funding of DEUQUA members. The application for membership (reduced membership fee for students) can be found here.

Deadlines, implementation periods and number of funded projects per year
For all funding programs, applications for the following year must be submitted by September 30th. If funding is approved, the event must take place during the following year. Applications can be submitted via young-researchers@deuqua.de. Please use the provided application templates.

Decision-making bodies and time frame for funding decisions
A committee nominated by the DEUQUA Executive Board will meet shortly after September 30th to evaluate the applications received. This committee awards funding on the basis of the quality of the application (see criteria catalogues of the funding programs). As a rule, funding is approved by December 31st of the respective year of project submission at the latest. 

Labelling of DEUQUA funding 
In the event of funding, the DEUQUA logo must be used on all media (application flyers, presentation slides, posters, etc.) to identify the funding.

DEUQUA supports the organisation and staging of conferences with up to €1,000 each. Co-financing involving other sponsors is possible by arrangement.

Eligibility requirements
The conference should serve the purpose of networking and exchange between scientists, especially young scientists. Following the conference, a summarising report must be written for publication in Geowissenschaftliche Mitteilungen (GMIT). The event should also be advertised in the GMIT in advance.

Application documents

• Application (max. 2 pages) - must explain how the conference incorporates Quaternary themes, fulfils the criteria set out in the preamble and supports ECR
• Program draft (rough - e.g. planned sessions)
• Cost calculation
• Curriculum vitae of the applicants (in tabular form, max. 2 pages each) 
• All documents must be compiled as one PDF and submitted by the deadline.

In contrast to the other funding programmes, funding is approved by October 30th of the year of submission in order to ensure sufficient planning leeway for the organisers.

DEUQUA supports the organisation of excursions with training aspect with up to €800 per year. Co-financing involving other sponsors is possible by arrangement.

Eligibility requirements
In addition to the training aspect, the excursion must fulfil the criteria listed in the preamble, and at least 30% of the participation places must be planned and reserved for ECR. An excursion with training aspect can only be funded by the DEUQUA if at least one DEUQUA member is on the organising committee. Following the event, a summarising report must be prepared for publication in Geowissenschaftliche Mitteilungen (GMIT). The event should also be advertised in the GMIT in advance.

Application documents

• Application (max. 2 pages) - must explain how the excursion incorporates Quaternary topics, fulfils the criteria mentioned in the preamble and supports ECR
• Cost calculation
• Program draft
• Curriculum vitae of the applicants (in tabular form, max. 2 pages each) 
• All documents must be combined into one PDF and submitted by the deadline

The DEUQUA funds summer schools with up to €2,000 each. Co-financing involving other sponsors is possible by arrangement. 

Eligibility requirements
In addition to the criteria described in the preamble, the innovative character of the summer school will be assessed in particular. A plausible and transparent cost calculation and networking aspects are also of decisive importance.
Summerschools can only be funded if DEUQUA members are granted a significantly reduced participation fee. 
Following the event, a summarising report must be written for publication in the Geowissenschaftliche Mitteilungen (GMIT). The event should also be advertised in the GMIT in advance. 

Application documents 

• Application (max. 2 pages) - must explain how the summer school incorporates quaternary topics, fulfils the criteria mentioned in the preamble and supports ECR
• Program draft (rough - e.g. planned sessions)
• Cost calculation
• Curriculum vitae of the applicants (in tabular form, max. 2 pages each) 
• All documents must be combined as one PDF and submitted by the deadline

Application deadlines: March 31st, September 30th.
The DEUQUA offers conference grants for ECR of up to €250 each.

Eligibility requirements
The grant includes financial support for attending a Quaternary-related conference. An application for a scientific contribution at the conference as well as a DEUQUA membership are mandatory.

Application documents 

• Abstract submitted for the respective conference
• Brief description of the quaternary scientific relevance of the conference
• Certificate of registration for the conference* if possible
• All documents must be combined as one PDF and submitted by the deadline

* If registration is not possible by the annual application deadline, the certificate of registration must be submitted as soon as possible; payment of the grant is not possible without it.