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.
Table of Content
Summary
- Application DeadlineNot Specified
- ValueFully Funded
- Study LevelPostdoctoral Fellowships
- SponsorHumboldt Foundation
- Eligible CountryAll Countries
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Benefits
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 €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.
Requirements
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.
Nationality
- 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).
Stay
- 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.
Expert reviews
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.
Language skills
- 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.
Application Documents
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.
Check also:
2026 Fully Funded Humboldt Research Fellowship
2026 Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarship
Application Deadline
Not SpecifiedHow To Apply
Are you qualified and interested in this opportunity? Kindly go to
Humboldt Foundation on service.humboldt-foundation.de to apply
For more information, kindly visit Humboldt foundation webpage.
