Humboldt Research Fellowship for postdoctoral and experienced researchers

Deadline: Varies

The Humboldt Research Fellowship for researchers of all nationalities and research areas: We support you – postdoctoral and experienced researchers – with your research in Germany.

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. Looking ahead to the upcoming meetings of the selection committee, we expect that 20 – 25% of the applications received will be approved.

Eligibility Criteria for Experienced Researchers

Candidates are selected solely on the basis of the evaluation of their academic qualification.
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 chosen host institution)
• the applicant’s future potential (academic potential, further academic development,
  career prospects, prospect of a professorial appointment)
  Applications are assessed on the basis of independent peer reviews requested by the Humboldt
  Foundation. The final decision is taken by a committee composed of academics from all
  disciplines in the framework of the funding available.

Fellowship specifications for Experienced Researchers
Additionally to the monthly fellowship rate of 3,000 EUR, the following benefits can be
granted:

• mobility lump sum as a subsidy for expenses in connection with necessary conference and
  research trips, archive and library stays, etc. in Germany and abroad;
• subsidy towards the cost of medical and liability insurance;
• lump sum for the fellow’s travel expenses if the costs are not borne by a third party;

language fellowship for an intensive language course lasting two to four months at
selected language institutes in Germany immediately prior to the actual period of research;
language fellowships may also be granted to accompanying marital partners.

• family allowances for accompanying family members staying at least three months;
• for single parents: flat-rate allowance for accompanying children (under the age of 18) for
  stays of at least three months;
• additional extension of the fellowship up to 12 month for research fellows accompanied by
  children under the age of 12;
• Europe allowance for a research stay at a research institute in another European country
  (though not the research fellow’s own country); for a designated period in the course of the
  fellowship if necessary to ensure the success of the research;
• a subsidy towards research costs to be paid to the hosts in Germany amounting to 800
  EUR per month (for research in the natural sciences and engineering) and 500 EUR (for
  research in the humanities and social sciences);
• extensive alumni sponsorship once a successful research stay has come to an end,
  especially for maintaining contacts with collaborative partners in Germany during the
  Humboldtian’s entire academic career.

Fellowship specifications for Post Doctorate
Additionally to the monthly fellowship rate of 2,500 EUR, the following benefits can be
granted:

• mobility lump sum as a subsidy for expenses in connection with necessary conference
  and research trips, archive and library stays, etc. in Germany and abroad;
• subsidy towards the cost of medical and liability insurance;
• lump sum for the fellow’s travel expenses if the costs are not borne by a third party;
• language fellowship for an intensive language course lasting two to four months at
  selected language institutes in Germany immediately prior to the actual period of research;
  language fellowships may also be granted to accompanying marital partners.
• family allowances for accompanying family members staying at least three months;

for single parents: flat-rate allowance for accompanying children (under the age of 18) for
stays of at least three months;

• additional extension of the fellowship up to 12 months for research fellows accompanied
  by children under the age of 12;
• Europe allowance for a research stay at a research institute in another European country
  (though not the research fellow’s own country); for a designated period in the course of the
  fellowship if necessary to ensure the success of the research;
• a subsidy towards research costs to be paid to the hosts in Germany amounting to 800
  EUR per month (for research in the natural sciences and engineering) and 500 EUR (for
  research in the humanities and social sciences);
• extensive alumni sponsorship once a successful research stay has come to an end,
  especially for maintaining contacts with collaborative partners in Germany during the
  Humboldtian’s entire academic career.

Application requirements

1. Doctorate or comparable academic degree (Ph.D., C.Sc. or equivalent), completed less
   than twelve years prior to the date of application. 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. The candidate’s own research profile documented by a comprehensive list of academic
   publications reviewed according to international standards and printed in journals and/or by
   publishing houses.
3. 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.
4. Two expert reviews from important collaborative partners and/or academics from the
   candidate’s own institute and, if possible, from abroad.
5. 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 lived outside Germany for a minimum of 12 months in total in the
18-month period prior to submission of the application. Any person who, regardless of their
country of residence, has supported themselves for more than six out of the last 18 months with
financing from a German institution also 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. Visit the questions and answers on the website for additional
information.
Academics who have already been sponsored by the Humboldt Foundation are not eligible to
apply for the Humboldt Research Fellowship Program but should turn to the Foundation’s
Alumni Program for support for further research stays.

Application 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 and all necessary documents as well as access to the online application
system. 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 their authors
directly to the applicant’s online 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.

Application Registration Deadline: Varies

To Apply: Click here

Official Website: Click here