The Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers supports highly qualified international scientists and scholars from all disciplines who completed their doctorates less than 12 years ago. The fellowship enables them to conduct long-term research (6 to 18 months) in collaboration with academic hosts of their choice at research institutions in Germany.
Application Deadline
- Applications accepted year-round
- Selection Committee Meetings: March, July, and November
⚠️ Note: Researchers from Brazil are currently not eligible to apply.
Programme Description
- Open to candidates from any country.
- Applicants should have a clearly defined research profile.
- Typically suited for assistant professors, junior research group leaders, or individuals with substantial independent research experience.
The fellowship offers:
- A monthly stipend of €3,170
- The opportunity to carry out personal research projects
- Flexible duration (6–18 months) with the option to divide the stay into up to 3 visits over 3 years
Short-term visits for study/training or conference attendance are not eligible.
Target Group
- Highly-qualified scientists and scholars from any discipline and nationality
- Must have completed their doctorate within the last 12 years
Academic Requirements
- Doctorate or comparable academic degree (e.g., Ph.D., C.Sc.)
Number of Fellowships
- Approximately 500 fellowships awarded each year to post-doctoral or experienced researchers
Duration
- Between 6 to 18 months, potentially split into multiple visits over three years
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Fellowship Value
Monthly Stipend: €3,170
Additional Benefits:
- Mobility lump sum
- Health and liability insurance contributions
- Travel allowance
- Language course grant
- Allowance for accompanying family members
- Fixed allowance for children (for single-parent fellows)
- Option to extend the fellowship if accompanied by children under 12
- Research cost allowance
- Europe allowance
- Extensive alumni sponsorship
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.
- Doctorate awarded no more than 12 years before application date
- If a doctorate is not standard in the applicant’s country or field, applicants may apply up to 16 years after obtaining a Master’s/Diplom (with strong publication record)
- Documented independent research profile with a list of peer-reviewed publications
- Confirmed research position and letter of recommendation from a German academic host
- Two expert reviews from academic collaborators, ideally one from outside the applicant’s home country
- Language proficiency:
- Humanities, social sciences, and medicine: Good German (if required), otherwise good English
- Natural sciences and engineering: Good German or English
- Residency Requirement: Applicants must have lived outside Germany for at least 12 months in the last 18 months before applying
- German citizens may apply if their permanent work and residence has been abroad for at least 5 years
- Special rules apply to those educated in Germany
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