Determinants of third-party funding applications in German academia.

Autor/inn/en	Wilkesmann, Uwe; Lauer, Sabine
Titel	Determinants of third-party funding applications in German academia.
Quelle	In: European Journal of Higher Education, 15 (2025) S1, S. 82-102Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Link als defekt meldenVerfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	online; gedruckt; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	2156-8235; 2156-8243
DOI	10.1080/21568235.2025.2501158
Schlagwörter	Forschungsförderung; Forschung; Wettbewerb; Hochschullehrer; Hochschule
Abstract	In recent decades, the importance of securing third-party funding has significantly increased. While much of the research focuses on changes in governance, this paper examines the issue from the individual perspective of professors and the organizational structures in German higher education. The key research question is: What motivational and organizational factors are linked to the number of third-party funding applications submitted by professors at German universities? Writing these applications entails additional work for professors. Using Self-Determination Theory, the study explores motivational factors, as well as organizational factors, such as the delegation of application work to their research teams. A survey conducted between March and May 2022 with German professors reveals key insights. Neither intrinsic motivation nor scientific reputation plays a significant role in driving professors to pursue third-party funding. Instead, external pressures, such as the necessity of funding for research, are the primary motivators. Additionally, while postdocs often assist in writing applications, it is the involvement of predocs that most strongly correlates with an increase in the number of applications submitted. Significant disciplinary differences in application submission rates are also observed. (HRK / Abstract übernommen).
Erfasst von	Hochschulrektorenkonferenz, Bonn
Update	2026/3