Skip to Main Content
Pathways to Science: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Search for a program . . . find your future.


Humboldt Research Fellowship Program for Postdoctoral Researchers


Click Here to Learn More and Apply! 


Academic Level:
Postdoc & Early Career
Faculty & Administrators

Description:
In providing Humboldt Research Fellowships for postdoctoral researchers, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation enables highly-qualified scientists and scholars, who do not currently work or reside in Germany and who are just embarking on their academic careers and who completed their doctorates less than four years ago, to spend extended periods of research (6–24 months) in Germany. Scientists and scholars from all disciplines and countries may apply.

The research outline is carried out in cooperation with academic hosts at research institutions in Germany. Applicants 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 must be agreed with the intended host before applying. Short-term visits for study and training purposes or for attending conferences are not eligible for sponsorship.

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)

Fellowship specifications

The fellowship is worth 2,650 EUR per month. This includes a mobility lump sum and a contribution towards health and liability insurance.

For information about additional benefits, please visit www.humboldt-foundation.de/web/humboldt-fellowship-postdoc.html.

Application requirements

1. Doctorate or comparable academic degree (Ph.D., C.Sc. or equivalent), completed less than four years prior to the date of application. Candidates who have nearly completed their doctoral degrees are eligible to apply provided that they submit the manuscript of their dissertation or publications containing the results of their dissertation, however, at the earliest, 6 months prior to the completion of their dissertation.

2. 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. Expert reviews from the doctoral supervisor and one other academic qualified to give well founded comments on the applicant’s qualification, preferably including reviewers not working at the applicant’s own institute.

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. 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 FAQ 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 Programme but should turn to the Foundation’s Alumni Programme for support for further research stays.

For more information, Program Contact(s):

Alexandra Hoenscheid, Program Coordinator

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

info@americanfriends-of-avh.org

202-783-1907

Alexander von Humboldt General Inquiries (German Headquarters)

info@avh.de
study abroad programaccepts non-us citizens

Participating Institution(s):
(Click an institution to see all programs it hosts or sponsors)
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Lead)

Program Materials:
 • Postdoc Website this link takes you to a different website

This Program can be Described by:
Academic Disciplines:
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Biology
Chemistry
Environmental Sciences
Geological Sciences
Linguistics & Speech Sciences
Microbiology
Neuroscience
Physics

Keywords:
Geophysics
Life Sciences and Medicine
Neuroscience
Physical Sciences
Polymer Science & Technology
Science Policy

Learn More and Apply!

Page last updated 2/21/2024 12:18:56 PM
Click here to submit updates to this program listing!

Create your own user feedback survey

PROGRAM ICONS


a flag denotes an institution that is the lead of an allianceInstitution that is the lead of an alliance

An exclamation point denotes a program with an upcoming deadlineUpcoming deadline

an airplane denotes a study abroad opportunityProgram includes a study abroad component

icon indicating a short-term opportunityDifferent from a program, an opportunity is generally short-term; they include paid workshops, travel funds, or professional development opportunities

icon indicating a nationwide programNationwide programs are not based at individual institutions

an airplane denotes a study abroad opportunityProgram Just Posted

a suitcase denotes portable fundingPortable Funding

a globe denotes funding for international studentsFunds International Students

a checkbox denotes a program recently updatedProgram recently updated