If you would like to become a member of the Humboldt Family, only one thing counts: your own excellent performance. There are no quotas, neither for individual countries, nor for particular academic disciplines. Our selection committees comprise academics from all fields of specialisation and they make independent decisions, based solely on the applicant’s academic record. We support people, not projects. After all, even in times of increasing teamwork, it is the individual’s ability and dedication that are decisive for academic success.
Become an Humboldtian
Whether you are a young postdoctoral researcher at the beginning of your academic career, an experienced, established academic, or even a world authority in your discipline – our research fellowships and research awards offer you sponsorship tailored to you and your career situation.
Become a host in Germany
Every Humboldtian needs an academic host. Become a host and encourage your young, collaborative partners from abroad to apply for a Humboldt Foundation research fellowship for a research stay at your institute, or nominate a cutting-edge researcher of your choice for a Humboldt Research Award. The fellowship includes an allowance for research costs towards financing equipment, research assistance, administrative costs and so on. It helps you and your guest researcher to create optimum conditions for fruitful cooperation.
Top opportunities for researchers from developing countries
Please send us your application,
- if you are a researcher with above average qualifications in a developing or transition country (see list of countries),
- if you intend to carry out long-term research of your own choice (6 to 24 months) at a research institution in Germany together with an academic host you have chosen yourself,
- if your research outline includes aspects that are important for the continued development of your country or region of origin and
- if you want to contribute to the exchange of knowledge and methods between Germany and your country of origin.
We offer:
- a monthly fellowship of €2,650 for postdoctoral researchers (doctorate completed within the last four years) or €3,150 for experienced researchers (doctorate completed within the last 12 years),
- a flexible starting date and – for experienced researchers – the option of splitting the fellowship up into a maximum of three stays,
- individual mentoring during the sponsorship period,
- intensive German language course for fellows and their marital partners prior to the fellowship,
- additional financial support for accompanying family members and items like travel expenses and
- comprehensive alumni sponsorship once the research stay has come to an end, such as a Return Fellowship or further stays in Germany.
As many as 80 Georg Forster Research Fellowships can be granted annually. In the last few years, about one third of applications were successful (see also positive selection decisions since March 2013).
In addition, the Humboldt Foundation grants Georg Forster Research Awards every year to leading researchers from developing countries.
The Humboldt Foundation has changed its application procedure in the Georg Forster Research Fellowship Programme. As of now, you can only apply and upload your application documents online.
Temporarily longer processing periods
Due to the introduction of a new database system and high application rates we shall unfortunately need more time than usual to process your application for a fellowship/your nomination for an award. Therefore, at present, you must assume it will take up to ten months before you receive a decision. We are very sorry about this delay and sincerely hope that we shall be able to revert to the usual processing period of six months at the earliest opportunity.
