The German Research Foundation (DFG), the country's main grant agency, is soliciting proposals from universities to host a biodiversity centre that could create up to 80 postdoc and PhD positions, 6 professorships and 10 group-leader positions. The DFG will make its selection by April 2012; the host university will build a new centre or expand an existing lab. Proposals must be submitted by 14 January 2011, and applicants must show how they will collect and analyse data and set up a study programme. The DFG will provide between €4 million (US$5.5 million) and €7 million a year for up to 12 years. The successful applicant must have expertise in biodiversity theory and modelling, ecology, evolution and the science of conservation.