Humboldt Research Fellowship is a grant from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation that supports non-German researchers of all nationalities and disciplines to conduct long-term research at German institutions. The fellowship is available to both postdoctoral researchers (Ph. D.

completed within the last 4 years) and experienced researchers (Ph. D. completed within the last 12 years) with above-average qualifications.

Monthly stipends range from €3,000 to €3,600. Applicants must have a confirmed German host institution before applying. Applications are reviewed in three rounds per year, with the Foundation actively encouraging applications from women and members of underrepresented groups.

Humboldt Research Fellowship Register now and apply online or continue processing your application. Humboldt Research Fellowship for postdocs and experienced researchers The Humboldt Research Fellowship for researchers of all nationalities and research areas: We support you with your research in Germany . The programme is part of the Global Minds Initiative Germany of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space.

Through the Humboldt Research Fellowship, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation sponsors researchers with above-average qualifications from across the globe. As a fellow, you will benefit from individual support from the Humboldt Foundation and our diverse sponsorship portfolio. The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation aims to achieve a good balance between genders and a high level of diversity among its fellows in all areas.

We therefore expressly invite female scientists and members of underrepresented groups to apply. We welcome all applications, regardless of ethnic, cultural or social background, gender identity, age, religion, worldview, disability or sexual orientation. The number of applications received in the Humboldt Research Fellowship Programme has increased significantly since 2024.

In order to ensure that applications continue to be processed in a timely manner, the Humboldt Foundation is adjusting its application procedure: corresponding to the three selection rounds per year, there will be three calls for applications annually, each opening eight months before the respective selection meeting. Once a call has reached the maximum number of currently 800 applications, the application round will be closed.

Applicants who have already started their application at that time will be able to save and continue working on it but will not be able to submit until the next application round opens. Call opens ... For selection meeting ...

Earliest possible start of fellowship ... ... on 15 March 2026 ...

in November 2026 ... in February 2027 ... on 15 July 2026 ...

in March 2027 ... in May 2027 ... on 15 November 2026 ...

in July 2027 ... in September 2027 This new procedure will increase transparency and predictability for applicants and their hosts and allow reviewers and members of the selection committee to more accurately anticipate their workloads.

Applications that fail to include important documents or information, or that diverge substantially from our specifications e.g. for creating a list of publications, will be formally rejected without further review. Ambiguities that require the applicant to be contacted for clarification will usually result in the decision being postponed to the following selection meeting.

You are therefore requested to check your documents carefully to ensure that they are complete, accurate and fully compliant with our specifications before submitting your application. Looking ahead to the upcoming meetings of the selection committee, we expect that 20 – 25% of the applications received will be approved. Detailed information regarding the selection process and the timeline can be found under „ Selection Procedure ”.

Programme information (PDF, 88 KB) Information for expert reviewers Information for independent peer reviewers Recently selected fellows Mathematician Lianet De la Cruz Toranzo wants to make the invisible visible - be it hypercomplex numbers or women in science. The Spanish physicist Julene Madariaga Marcos is searching for ways of making genetic scissors even more reliable.

The research of Mohammed Elmowafy focuses on bacterial infections that are followed by a fungal infection. For researchers from Brazil we offer the CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship ​​​​​​​. If not eligible there, you may apply for the Humboldt Research Fellowship Programme.

The Humboldt Research Fellowship enables you to conduct your own research at various stages of your career in collaboration with a host at a German research institution of your choice. Hosts may apply for a subsidy towards research costs. Information on sponsorship during the research stay Information on sponsorship for alumni abroad Benefit from research sponsorship in Germany at the beginning of your academic career.

The Humboldt Research Fellowship for postdocs enables you to conduct research in Germany. The monthly fellowship amount is €3,000 plus addtional benefits. Fellowships may last from 6 to 24 months and can be divided into up to three stays within three years.

You can still apply for research sponsorship in Germany even if you are already well advanced in your academic career. The Humboldt Research Fellowship for experienced researchers enables you to conduct research in Germany. The fellowship amount is €3,600 plus additional benefits.

Fellowships may last from 6 to 18 months and can be divided into up to three stays within three years. In addition to the fellowship amount plus additional benefits, you will also receive personal support throughout your sponsorship. You are flexible in determining when you would like to start your fellowship.

Prior to your research fellowship, you and your partner will be able to attend an intensive language course. Further financial support, including family benefits for children and partners, subsidies for private full health insurance and allowances for travel expenses, is also available. We stay in contact even after your research stay has come to an end.

Our alumni sponsorship measures flexibly support every Humboldtian’s individual journey through life, in both their careers and their future research collaborations. A return fellowship or later visits to Germany are also possible. You must meet the following criteria The Humboldt Research Fellowship addresses post-doctoral researchers with above-average qualifications from across the globe – regardless of their field.

Did you complete your doctorate – or equivalent academic qualification – during the last four years? Or will you be completing your doctorate before the envisaged selection meeting and can already provide a written summary of your findings? Have you been published in academic journals and by publishing houses that are reviewed according to international standards?

If so, and if you fulfil the criteria under the “What is required of you” section, apply for the Humboldt Research Fellowship for postdocs. Did you complete your doctorate – or equivalent academic qualification – during the last twelve years? Is your academic profile substantiated by an extensive list of publications including important papers in which you acted as thematic lead?

And do you also hold a leadership role commensurate with your career level in a corresponding position (eg. assistant professor, lecturer, head of an independent research group or higher-level position)? If so, and if you fulfil the criteria under the “What is required of you” section, apply for the Humboldt Research Fellowship for experienced researchers.

If a doctorate in your field or country of origin is not possible or uncommon, you can still apply up to 16 years after completing your master’s or other postgraduate degree provided that you have a publication record commensurate with your career level. You must fulfil the following criteria to successfully apply for the Humboldt Research Fellowship. You are not a German national.

If you are a German national, or if you obtained your university entrance qualification and university degree, or your university degree and your doctorate, in Germany, you can apply if you have lived and worked abroad for more than ten years and intend to continue doing so long-term. Have you lived and worked abroad for more than five years?

You can still apply if there is a strong connection to your current country of residence (permanent employment, additional citizenship etc. – see FAQs). For your application to be successful, you may not have lived in Germany for longer than a total of 90 days within the 18-month period prior to submitting your application.

If you are already in Germany, please check whether you are still able to meet the above requirement, as we can only assess your eligibility and formally accept your application after it has been submitted.

Confirmation that research facilities are available/host’s statement A researcher from an academic institution of your choice in Germany will provide you with a mentoring agreement and written confirmation that research facilities are available, and will compile a detailed review for you. You can provide two expert reviews.

Postdocs: Your doctoral supervisor and one other researcher – outside of your institute, if possible – should provide well-grounded information on your qualifications. Experienced researchers: The reviews should be provided by important collaborative partners and/or researchers at your own institute as well as other institutes – outside your country of origin, if possible.

Natural sciences and engineering: You must have a good knowledge of German or English. Humanities, social sciences and medicine: You must have a good knowledge of German if this is necessary for conducting your research successfully. Otherwise, good knowledge of English will suffice.

Is the Humboldt Research Fellowship not the most suitable fellowship for you? Use our Programme Search to find the sponsorship that fits your personal career or contact us for individual advice. You must abide by the rules of good scientific practice (PDF) and the principles of scientific ethics.

The foundation provides information on dealing with generative AI in the selection area . You may not apply for the Humboldt Research Fellowship if you have already received sponsorship directly from the Humboldt Foundation (research fellowship or award). In such cases, our alumni programmes are open to you.

If you would like to apply for the Humboldt Research Fellowship, please submit the necessary documents to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation online only . If you have any doubts or questions, please contact us ( info[at]avh. de ) before submitting your application.

We are happy to help. Please note that you may only submit your application once you have uploaded the following documents in the application form: curriculum vitae (two pages max) research outline ( five pages max) complete list of your publications (cf. sample list , PDF) list of selected key publications (cf.

sample list , PDF) doctoral certificate or proof that your doctorate has been completed successfully, or confirmation that you will complete your doctorate before the envisaged selection meeting German language certificate, if required if required: publisher’s acceptance notifications and/or acknowledgement of receipt and summaries/translations of key publications that are not available in German or in English two expert reviews: please note that these documents can only be uploaded in a protected area by the expert reviewers personally.

You can only submit your application once these documents have been uploaded if the portal is open at that time. a detailed statement of your host in Germany as well as a confirmation of research facilities. Once you have submitted your application, your host will receive a link allowing insight into your application documents as well as the upload of any relevant documents.

Please note that your application will only be forwarded to the Humboldt Foundation once your host has uploaded all the necessary documents for your application. You can check the status of your application in the corresponding field in the application form.

Corresponding to the three selection rounds per year, there will be three calls for applications annually, each opening approximately eight months before the respective selection meeting. Once a call has reached the maximum number of currently 800 applications, the application round will be closed.

Applicants who have already started their application at that time will be able to save and continue working on it but will not be able to submit until the next call opens. Call opens ... For selection meeting ...

Earliest possible start of fellowship ... ... on 15 March ...

in November ... in February of the following year ... on 15 July ...

in March of the following year ... in May of the following year ... on 15 November ...

in July of the following year ... in September of the following year Incomplete or inaccurate applications take longer to process and often have to be postponed to a later Selection Committee meeting. The deadline for meeting certain formal conditions – in particular those relating to limitations on career stages and previous stays in Germany – is the date on which we receive your application.

If you are unable to submit your application before the closure of the application portal, your application will be considered to have been received on the date on which the portal closed, provided that you submit it no more than 14 days after the next call opens. If your application is unsuccessful, we may provide you with the reasons for our decision. Please request this information informally by email.

You and your host will receive a letter with the outcome of your application approximately five weeks after the decision is made. Decisions cannot be appealed. You can, however, re-apply if you significantly improve crucial aspects of the rejected application.

In the case of unanimously rejected applications, you must unfortunately wait a minimum of 18 months before re-applying. Feb. /Mar.

, June/July, Oct. /Nov.

Applicant submits completed application form Application automatically forwarded to hosts: Hosts upload their documents required for the application Only once all documents have been submitted: Application received by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Formal rejection sent to applicants and hosts, if applicable Applicants notified of selection date Further information requested from applicants and hosts, if necessary Requests for peer reviews (usually two) allowing for potential impartiality issues Reviewed applications sent to specialist committee members Applications presented to selection committee Applicants and hosts informed promptly of selection results If application is approved: Grant documents are provided (approx.

4 weeks after selection meeting) Start of fellowship no less than two and no more than twelve months after selection meeting (preceded by language course if required) If application is rejected: On request: information of applicants and hosts of factors leading to rejection In March 2022, the Humboldt Foundation launched the pilot phase of a new, digital, interactive review process.

Whilst the previous procedure usually involved the submission of two independent specialist reviews for each application, the peer-circle process now being tested is based on a group of reviewers comparing and discussing several applications on a protected platform. The peer circle process was concurrently evaluated by an independent researcher in 2022 and has since been gradually expanded to further disciplines.

The results of the evaluation can be found here . The decision to award research fellowships is taken by a selection committee consisting of 60–70 researchers from various fields.

Applications are academically evaluated by means of a peer review process based on the following selection criteria, in each case dependent on your career level: academic career and academic record to date (mobility, determination, thematic scope, academic productivity) quality of the key publications named in the application (originality, innovativeness, evaluation of your own contributions to publications involving several authors) originality and innovative potential of your proposed research (significance for the further development of the subject area, convincing selection of scientific methods, potential for scientific development, clear focus and feasibility within the requested sponsorship period, viability at the host institute) your future potential (academic potential, personal development, career prospects, e.g. professorial appointment) your independent research profile (for experienced researchers) The assessment also considers the individual life journey and educational background, also and especially in terms of equal opportunities and accessibility.

All the best for your application! Members of the Selection Committee I have worked in an English-speaking country for several years. Do I need an English language certificate?

No, an English language certificate is not required. It is either not customary or not possible to take a doctorate in my country of origin. Can I apply?

You can apply if you can prove that your academic performance is equivalent to a Ph. D. , e.g. by academic publications in internationally reviewed journals and for publishing houses.

Should this be the case, you may apply to the programme for experienced researchers, however, only until up to 16 years after you obtained your first university degree (Master's degree, Diploma, etc.).

It is, furthermore, possible to apply to the programme for experienced researchers if you hold an academic position that is equivalent to or higher than Associate Professor / Senior Lecturer / Reader etc., regardless of the date of your first university degree, within the first twelve years of working in this position. Please send us your CV and a list of your publications before you apply so we can advise you ( info[at]avh. de ).

Can I apply before I have completed my doctorate? You may apply if you will complete your doctorate before the envisaged selection meeting. If selected, you must complete your doctorate before commencing the research fellowship.

Please note that your application will be rejected for formal reasons if your dissertation has not been published and you do not have any further academic publications at the time of application. What determines the date of a doctorate? The relevant date is that of completing the final academic part of the doctoral process (e.g., defence of thesis, doctoral viva).

This date will usually be included on your doctoral certificate alongside the date of issue. The key date for calculating the period following your doctorate is the date on which your application is received by the Humboldt Foundation.

If you are unable to submit your application before the closure of the application portal, your application will be considered to have been received on the date on which the portal closed, provided that you submit it no more than 14 days after the next call opens. Which date is valid if I have several doctorates? In the case of multiple doctorates, the effective date is that of the first doctoral degree (PhD/CSc.)

My doctorate was completed more than four years ago. Can I apply for a fellowship for postdocs? We cannot consider your application for a fellowship for postdocs if your doctorate was completed more than four years ago.

In case you have a clearly recognisable own research profile and are already working at the level of at least assistant professor, lecturer or head of an independent research group, and have publications in thematic leadership, you can apply for a fellowship for experienced researchers. If you have passed the deadline, an exception may be made in well-founded cases (e.g. recognition of parental leave).

Please send us your CV and a list of your publications before you apply so we can advise you ( info[at]avh. de ). I obtained my doctorate more than twelve years ago.

Can I still apply for a fellowship for experienced researchers? We cannot consider your application if you obtained your doctorate more than twelve years ago. If your doctorate is older than this, an exception may be made in well-founded cases (e.g. recognition of parental leave).

Please send us your CV and a list of your publications before you apply so we can advise you ( info[at]avh. de ). My doctorate was completed less than four years ago.

Can I apply for a fellowship for experienced researchers? Yes. You should, however, already have your own clearly recognisable research profile and be working at the level of at least assistant professor, lecturer or head of an independent research group.

How will child-rearing periods be considered in the application process? Periods in which you interrupted your academic activities after completing your doctorate in order to rear children may be taken into account as career breaks after examination. The proportionate offsetting of such periods is also possible.

Please always indicate child-rearing periods when filling in our application form. Mothers can claim two extra years for each child born after their PhD plus any further verifiable parenting periods. Fathers and other persons responsible for raising children are only credited with verifiable parenting periods.

In general, postdocs may apply up to four years, and experienced researchers up to twelve years after completing their doctorates. Recognized child-rearing periods may correspondingly extend these maximum timeframes during which the submission of applications is possible. The extension is limited to 6 years.

Please contact info[at]avh. de if you have any questions. Which other career breaks are considered in the application process?

Periods in which you interrupted your academic activities after completing your doctorate in order to perform military or alternative service, to care for close relatives, due to long-term illness, or, for example, to care for children or due to the closure of institutes during a lockdown imposed to control an epidemic may be taken into account as career breaks after examination.

The proportionate offsetting of such career breaks is also possible. Please always indicate career breaks when filling in our application form. Job hunting, unemployment and non-academic employment do not count as career breaks.

In general, postdocs may apply up to four years, and experienced researchers up to twelve years after completing their doctorates. Recognized career breaks may correspondingly extend these maximum timeframes during which the submission of applications is possible. The extension is limited to 6 years.

Please contact info[at]avh. de if you have any questions. Are child-rearing periods taken into account in the assessment of academic achievements?

Yes, because the assessment of academic achievements is always made on an individual basis at the Humboldt Foundation. Therefore, when filling in the application form, please specify all periods in which you partially or completely interrupted your academic activities after finishing your doctorate in order to rear children.

The voluntary disclosure of private circumstances may help increase equal opportunities during the selection process. The consideration of your personal circumstances allows for a fairer assessment of your academic achievements. Please contact info[at]avh.

de if you have any questions. Are other career breaks taken into account in the assessment of academic achievements? Yes, because the assessment of academic achievements is always made on an individual basis at the Humboldt Foundation.

Therefore, when filling in the application form, please specify all periods in which you partially or completely interrupted your academic activities after finishing your doctorate in order to perform military or alternative service, to care for close relatives, due to long-term illness, or, for example, to care for children or due to the closure of institutes during a lockdown imposed to control an epidemic.

Job hunting, unemployment and non-academic employment do not count as career breaks. The voluntary disclosure of private circumstances may help increase equal opportunities during the selection process. The consideration of your personal circumstances allows for a fairer assessment of your academic achievements.

Please contact info[at]avh. de if you have any questions. Are career paths assessed individually in terms of barriers to equal opportunities, accessibility and mobility?

Equal opportunities and diversity are important pillars of the Humboldt Foundation’s funding policies. If your career path has been impacted by personal limitations or structural issues, e.g. difficult research conditions, gender-specific discrimination or cultural barriers to mobility, please include this information so that such circumstances can be taken into consideration in your favour.

You can find the Humboldt Foundation’s statement on equal opportunities as well as information on the support we provide under Equal opportunities for researchers . I am from a developing/transition country. Should I apply for a Humboldt or Georg Forster Research Fellowship?

If your primary life focus (nationality and permanent residence) is in a developing or transition country (see list of countries ) and your research is of relevance for that country’s (or region’s) further development (see examples below), we recommend that you apply for a George Forster Research Fellowship.

A persuasive presentation of your work’s relevance for development in your region is one of the key criteria used when your application is evaluated. For projects that would be classified as basic research, we recommend applying for a Humboldt Research Fellowship.

Examples of applications that are relevant to development: Example 1: Food security for children in Nigeria Food contaminated with mycotoxins, which are toxic metabolites produced by mould, presents a major challenge for people in Nigeria. As part of her Georg Forster fellowship, a Humboldtian is using biomonitoring to establish the extent to which Nigerian children and youths are exposed to mycotoxins from the foods they eat.

She hopes this will help make food safer for Nigeria’s population. Example 2: Climate change and stressed plants Plants under heat and drought stress emit a range of volatile organic compounds. During her stay in Germany, a Humboldtian from Latin America is researching the impact of these emissions on air quality and changes to the climate.

The results will be used to develop sustainable adaptation and prevention strategies specifically for her region of origin, providing political stakeholders with a solid scientific basis for decision-making. Example 3: Theoretical physics in Cameroon A physicist from Cameroon is conducting research into the highly topical and dynamic issue of quantum many-particle systems out of equilibrium.

As he works with a leading West African centre of mathematics and is highly committed to teaching, his research in theoretical physics sets an example for junior academics, contributing significantly to the inclusion of African countries in basic research developments and the establishment of this subject area in Cameroon.

The topic is moreover relevant to applications in quantum technologies, especially in quantum information – a recent advancement in solid-state physics –, which may in turn lead to potential applications around specific industrial problems.

Example 4: Improved tax enforcement through international co-operation Audits that can be conducted across borders and jointly by international teams (joint tax audits) have proven a valuable tool in the battle against tax evasion.

During her Georg Forster stay in Germany, a Humboldtian from the Republic of Moldova is examining the benefits of joint tax audits with the aim of formulating recommendations for the advancement of international tax legislation. In this way, she hopes to contribute to the integration of her country of origin into international tax law systems.

Example 5: Water reservoirs Silted-up water reservoirs are a major problem for Iran’s water supply systems. During his stay in Germany, an Iranian Humboldtian is working on methods to reduce impurities in water. His existing contacts and excellent local networks will allow him to transfer these methods to his country of origin.

Examples of applications that were rejected by the Georg Forster programme due to insufficient development relevance: Example 1: Research into neuro-degenerative diseases Neurodegenerative diseases are a huge problem for sufferers worldwide. Researching and developing suitable treatment options requires cost-intensive scientific equipment.

An applicant intended to expand his abilities regarding the use of such technology; it was however not apparent from his application how the skills to be acquired in Germany could be practically applied in his country of origin without the corresponding infrastructure. Example 2: Expanding cosmological models An applicant’s research project aimed to expand cosmological models (theoretical physics).

She had convincingly demonstrated added value for the advancement of her discipline; however, the peer review was unable to identify any relevance to societal, economic and/or political progress for science and research in the applicant’s country/region of origin.

Example 3: Developing new materials for cutting-edge photonic applications The availability of chiral chromophores, which emit circularly polarised light, is potentially of interest for a variety of applications, for example in quantum and information technology, and could therefore also be significant to the applicant’s country of origin.

It was however not possible to derive any direct impact of the envisaged findings on sustainable development for the applicant’s country of origin, as the highly advanced scientific infrastructure required for further development does not exist there. Do I need to know German in order to apply? Natural scientists and engineers: good knowledge of German or English is sufficient.

Scholars in the humanities and social sciences: should have knowledge of German if it is necessary to carry out their research successfully. In this case, a German language certificate confirming proficiency must be submitted. Otherwise, a good knowledge of English is sufficient.

Physicians: if the research involves work with patients, the candidate must have a good knowledge of German (language certificate required). Otherwise, a good knowledge of English is sufficient. English or German is my native language.

Do I have to submit a language certificate proving my proficiency? No, a language certificate is not required. I'm a physician (MD / Dr. med.)

Are there any special admission requirements? You are eligible to apply if you hold a research doctorate or a comparable academic degree. In addition, please read our Admission Questionnaire for Physicians (MD / Dr. med.)

for detailed information. If you have several research doctorates, the above mentioned FAQ on the subject of "several doctorates" applies. Which (virtual) mobility rules apply with regard to Germany?

The aim of the programme is to enable highly qualified academics from abroad to come to Germany to conduct a research stay here. Applicants should therefore be living and/or working outside Germany at the time of application. In the 18-month period prior to the submission of the application, eligible applicants must not have stayed in Germany for more than a total of 90 accumulated days.

Any time spent in Germany within those 18 months is taken into account, regardless of duration or reason. If you are unable to submit your application before the closure of the application portal, your application will be considered to have been received on the date on which the portal closed, provided that you submit it no more than 14 days after the next call opens.

Individuals who in the last 18 months have earned their living with funding from German institutions or who have worked on a doctoral project at an institution in Germany for more than 90 days, are not eligible to apply, regardless of their place of residence. If you are already in Germany, please first check whether you are still able to meet the above requirement.

Formal eligibility of the application cannot be definitively assessed until the application is received. German citizens and/or educational residents* (see following FAQ) are generally ineligible to apply if they have been in Germany within the last 18 months prior to receipt of their application or are already in Germany at the time of applying.

If in doubt, please contact us before submitting your application so we can advise you ( info[at]avh. de ). * Educational residents are individuals who have completed their school education and a university degree, or a university degree and their doctorate in Germany.

Can I apply from abroad as a German citizen/educational resident? The aim of the programme is to enable highly qualified academics from abroad to come to Germany to conduct a research stay here. German citizens/educational residents* are