The ‘Freigeist’ initiative is a highly flexible funding scheme. Junior researchers are given the opportunity to enjoy maximum freedom in their early scientific career. The ‘Freigeist’ scheme is deliberately left open to all disciplines and topics. The main focus is on junior researchers (up to 4 years of postdoctoral experience) working at the borders of neighboring fields or disciplines. The ‘Freigeist’ initiative offers freedom for creative thinking, whilst at the same time providing financial security for at least 5 years. It also offers an opportunity to establish a career within a scientific research organization or university in Germany.