In providing Humboldt Research Fellowships for postdocs and experienced researchers, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation enables highly-qualified scientists and scholars from abroad to spend extended periods of research in Germany. Scientists and scholars from all disciplines and countries may apply. Postdocs researchers can apply up to four years after completing their doctorates for a sponsorship period of 6–24 months. Experienced researchers can apply up to twelve years after completing their doctorates for a sponsorship period of 6–18 months. Short- term visits for study and training purposes or for attending conferences are not eligible for sponsorship.
The duration of the fellowship may be divided up into a maximum of three visits, with each visit lasting at least three months. The research fellowship must be used within 36 months of commencement and within 48 months if it is extended (for further information on sponsorship, see “Fellowship specifications” section).
The research outline is carried out in cooperation with academic hosts at research institutions in Germany. Candidates choose their own topic of research and their host in Germany. Details of the research outline including information on the intended duration of the fellowship and division of visits, if applicable, must be agreed with the intended host before applying.
Decisions to award fellowships are based solely on the evaluation of the candidate’s academic qualification. An individual’s personal and educational background – including and especially with regard to equal opportunities and accessibility – are also taken into account. There are no quotas for individual disciplines or countries.
A candidate’s academic qualification is assessed on the basis of the following criteria:
- academic record and academic performance to date (mobility, determination, breadth of research activities, academic productivity)
- quality of key publications specified in the application (originality, degree of innovation, applicant’s contribution in cases of multiple authorship)
- originality and innovation potential of the suggested research outline (significance for the advancement of the discipline, convincing choice of academic methods, prospects for academic development of the applicant, clear focus and feasibility of realization within the requested funding period and at the host institution)
- the applicant’s future potential (academic potential, further academic development, career prospects)
- applicants who are applying in the programme line for experienced researchers are also expected to have their own, clearly defined personal academic profile and hold employment in a leadership role appropriate to their career level.
Applications are assessed academically on the basis of a peer review process in relation to the career level of applicants (time after completion of the doctorate). The final decision on all applications for both program lines is taken by a selection committee within the framework of the funding available (for further information on the selection procedure, see “Application and selection procedure”).
Fellowship specifications : The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation awards a monthly fellowship rate of 3,000 EUR for postdocs and 3,600 EUR for experienced researchers plus a mobility allowance and a subsidy towards the cost of medical and liability insurance. A lump sum for travel expenses and an initial subsidy are also paid.
Before the start of the fellowship, the Humboldt Foundation provides an intensive language course in Germany lasting two or four months (including for accompanying partners). In addition, a family allowance for accompanying partners and/or children under 18 will be granted if they are staying in Germany for at least three months. The following benefits may also be applied for:
- a subsidy towards the cost of medical and liability insurance for an accompanying partner and/or children under the age of 18;
- a flat-rate allowance for single parents with accompanying children; - extension of the fellowship for research fellows accompanied by children or for a maternity period.
There are further support options for research fellows with disabilities or chronic illnesses.
For fellowships with a sponsorship period of more than six months, research stays outside Germany are possible under certain conditions, provided that these are required for carrying out the research (up to 25% of the planned total sponsorship period). Hosts in Germany can apply for an allowance for research costs to the value of 800 EUR per month (natural sciences, life sciences and engineering) or 500 EUR (humanities and social sciences).
Upon successful completion of the research stay, various forms of alumni sponsorship can be granted to alumni who are still actively involved in research, particularly for promoting contact with collaborative partners in Germany.
Application requirements
1. Doctorate or comparable academic degree (Ph.D., C.Sc. or equivalent) completed (the last academic achievement) no longer than four years prior to the date of application for postdocs or twelve years for experienced researchers. If it is not possible or customary to take a doctorate in the candidate’s subject or country, an application may be submitted up to 16 years after completing a Master's or Diploma degree, provided that the publication record is commensurate with the candidate’s career stage;
2. Applicants who are applying in the programme line for experienced researchers are also expected to hold employment in a leadership role appropriate to their career level (e.g. Assistant Professor, Lecturer, or Head of an independent research group).
3. Academic publications in journals and by publishers reviewed according to international standards, commensurate with the applicant’s career level after completion of the doctorate; experienced researchers must have previously published papers on which they acted as thematic lead. Only these publications can be submitted as key publications.
4. Confirmation that research facilities are available and mentoring agreement and a detailed expert’s statement by an academic host at a research institution in Germany;
5. Two expert reviews from important collaborative partners and/or academics from the applicant’s own institute and at other institutions, if possible, also outside the country of origin. Postdocs should usually request one of the expert reviews from the doctoral thesis supervisor.
6. Necessary language skills: humanities or social sciences and medicine: good knowledge of German if it is necessary to carry out the research successfully; otherwise a good knowledge of English; natural sciences and engineering: good knowledge of German or English.
Eligible applicants must have spent no more than 90 days1 in Germany within the 18 months before their application is received by the Foundation. Any person who, regardless of their place of residence, has supported themselves for more than 90 days out of the last 18 months with financing from German institutions or who has worked on a doctoral project at an institution in Germany is not eligible to apply.
Potential applicants of German nationality are eligible to apply provided that their habitual place of work and residence has been located abroad on the assumption of permanence for at least five years. Potential applicants who have completed their school education and one university degree or one university degree and their doctorate in Germany are subject to the regulations governing German citizens. For more information, see the questions and answers on our homepage.
Any person who has already been sponsored by the Humboldt Foundation in the form of a research fellowship or research award is not eligible to apply for the Humboldt Research Fellowship Programme. They should turn to the Foundation’s Alumni Programme for support for further research stays.
Application and selection procedure
Applications can only be submitted online. The completed application form, including the necessary additional documents, should be submitted at least four to seven months ahead of the prospective selection date. Visit the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s website for further information on the online application process, details of all necessary documents as well as access to the online application form. A confirmation of receipt will be issued after the application has been submitted.
The expert reviews and the host’s confidential statement must be uploaded by the named academics directly to the application form. The applicant will send the link needed to access the application form via e-mail to the designated persons. It is only possible to submit the application once all documents have been uploaded completely.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their documents are complete. Incomplete applications will be excluded from the selection procedure. After a review of the documents, applicants will be notified about the proposed selection date.
The academic assessment of the applications is carried out by independent peer reviewers assigned by the Humboldt Foundation. Based on the academic assessment, a selection committee composed of about 60–70 academics from all disciplines reaches a decision on approving research fellowships. Information on the composition of the selection committee is available on the Humboldt Foundation’s website. The selection committee meets every year in March, July and November. If the application is granted, sponsorship in Germany will usually begin on the start date given in the application or as soon as possible thereafter.
If the selection decision is negative, an informal request can be made via email for the factors that led to the rejection of the application to be shared with the applicants and their hosts. It is not possible to appeal. However, after rejection a revised application may be submitted as long as fundamental aspects of the rejected application have been significantly improved. In the case of unanimously rejected applications, a new application will be accepted only after 18 months.
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