Using the Humboldt Research Fellowship and Postdocs in Germany, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation provides funding to exceptionally talented researchers worldwide. As a recipient of a scholarship from the Humboldt Foundation, you are eligible to benefit from the wide range of support services as well as the customized help we provide.
Humboldt Research Fellowship and Postdocs Summary
| Scholarship Level | Postdoctoral, Experienced Researchers |
| Host County | Germany |
| Host Institution | German research institution of your choice |
| Postdoctoral Stipend | € 2,670 per month |
| Experienced Researchers Stipend | € 3,170 per month |
| Application Deadlines | Every March, July, and November |
| Eligible Country | All (Except Germany and Brazil) |
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation offers postdoctoral researchers who are outstanding foreign scholars in the early phases of their academic careers and who have less than four years of Ph.D. Humboldt Research Fellowships. Fellowship terms range from six to twenty-four months. Scholars and scientists from various disciplines and nations are welcome to apply.
With the Humboldt Research Fellowship, you can work with a host at a German research institution of your choice to conduct your own research at various phases of your career.
Postdoctoral Fellowship Specifications
Take advantage of research sponsorship in Germany at the start of your academic career. The Humboldt Research Fellowship for Postdoctoral Researchers allows you to conduct research in Germany. The amount of the monthly scholarship is € 2,670. Scholarships can last from 6 to 24 months.
Experienced Researchers Fellowship Coverage
The Humboldt Research Fellowship for experienced researchers enables you to conduct research in Germany. The amount of the scholarship is € 3,170. Scholarships can last from 6 to 18 months and can be divided into up to three stays within three years.
General Benefits
Additionally, 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.
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Application Requirements for Humboldt Research Fellowship and Postdocs
- Doctoral or comparable academic degree (Ph.D., C.Sc., or equivalent), completed less than four years prior to the date of application. Applicants who have almost completed their doctoral studies may apply provided they submit a dissertation manuscript or a publication containing the results of their dissertation, but no earlier than 6 months before the completion of the dissertation.
- Academic publications are reviewed according to international standards and printed in journals and/or publishing houses.
- Confirmation that research facilities and a mentoring agreement are available and a detailed statement from an academic host expert from a research institution in Germany.
- Expert opinions of the supervisor of the doctoral studies and one other academic worker qualified to submit substantiated comments on the applicant’s qualifications, if possible including reviewers not working at the applicant’s own institute.
- Necessary language skills: humanities or social sciences and medicine: good knowledge of German, if it is necessary to carry out the research successfully; otherwise good knowledge of English; natural sciences and engineering: good knowledge of German or English.
Required Documents
Required Documents for Humboldt Research Fellowship and Postdocs in Germany
- curriculum vitae (maximum two pages)
- research outline (maximum five pages)
- 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 or confirmation that it will be within the next six months
- German language certificate if required
- if necessary: publisher’s notice of receipt and/or acknowledgment of receipt and summaries/translations of key publications not available in German or English
- In addition: the host statement and confirmation that research facilities are available
- Two expert reviews.
How To Apply for Humboldt Research Fellowship and Postdocs
If you would like to apply for the Humboldt Research Fellowship, please submit the necessary documents to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation online only. To continue, you need a user account with the Humboldt Foundation. If you have already registered with Humboldt Foundation just log in and continue the application process, otherwise go to Create a user account.
Humboldt Research Fellowship and Postdocs Official website
For more details, visit the official website
Register to directly apply.
Deadlines
Humboldt Research Fellowship and Postdocs deadline
The selection committee responsible for assessing applications for this program meets every March, July, and November. Please send the completed application form, including any other required documents, well in advance of the required selection date.
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