The DFG‘s Heisenberg Programme has two aims: firstly, it is designed to keep particularly talented early career researchers in the scientific system. Secondly, it aims to provide this group with optimum funding opportunities. Initially, the programme achieved these ends through the Heisenberg fellowship, which has provided funding for both domestic and international fellowships since 1977. The Heisenberg professorship was added at the end of 2005. The 2017 report provides statistical information on Heisenberg fellowships and Heisenberg professorships and was published in conjunction with the fifth Heisenberg Networking Meeting, held in Bonn in March 2017. During proposal processing at the DFG’s Head Office, data are collected and made available for statistical purposes. This enables key information regarding the subject and demographic profiles of Heisenberg fellows to be determined and used for statistical reporting.