Humboldt Research Fellowship | Research Career in Germany

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.

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.

Postdocs
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.

Experienced researchers
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 euro 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.

General conditions
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.

The Humboldt Research Fellowship addresses post-doctoral researchers with above-average qualifications from across the globe – regardless of their field.
Postdocs
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.

Experienced researchers
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.
What is required of you
You must fulfil the following criteria to successfully apply for the Humboldt Research Fellowship.

How to apply
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.

What we need from you
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)
• key publications
• 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.

Deadlines
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.