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Georg Forster Research Fellowship for Postdoctoral Researchers

Submit an application if you are a researcher from abroad with above average qualifications, at the beginning of your academic career and only completed your doctorate in the last four years. A Georg Forster Research Fellowship for postdoctoral researchers allows you to carry out a long-term research project (6−24 months) you have selected yourself in cooperation with an academic host you have selected yourself at a research institution in Germany.

Scientists and scholars from all disciplines from developing and threshold countries (excluding People's Republic of China and India; c.f. detailed list of countries) may apply to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation directly at any time. The research proposal must address issues of significant relevance to the future development of your country of origin and, in this context, promise to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and methods to developing and threshold countries.

The Humboldt Foundation grants up to 60 Georg Forster Research Fellowships for postdoctoral researchers and experienced researchers annually. Short-term study visits, participation in congresses and training courses cannot be financed.

To apply, please only use the application documents which can be downloaded here.

Other important details

Further information

  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.
  2. Academic publications in reviewed journals and for publishing houses.
  3. Choice of a research project of major relevance to the future development of the candidate's country of origin, including options for transferring knowledge and methods.
  4. Confirmation that research facilities are available and a detailed expert's report from an academic host at a research institution in Germany; details of the research project and the proposed timetable must be discussed with the prospective host prior to application.
  5. Expert references from the doctoral supervisor and other academics qualified to comment on the applicant's eligibility, preferably including reviewers not working at the applicant's own institute.
  6. Language skills: scholars in the humanities or social sciences and physicians must have a good knowledge of German if it is necessary to carry out the project successfully; otherwise a good knowledge of English; scientists and engineers must have a good knowledge of German or English.
  7. The applicant may not have spent an extended period in Germany prior to application. Applications to continue a research stay already underway can only be considered in exceptional cases. If in doubt, candidates who have been in Germany for more than six months at the time of application should check with the Humboldt Foundation (info(at)avh.de) whether formal requirements have been met before submitting an application.
  8. Principal place of residence and work in a developing or threshold country (excluding People's Republic of China and India, c.f. list of countries).
  9. The Humboldt Foundation assumes that candidates will abide by the Rules of Good Scientific Practice during the application and sponsorship periods.
Applications may be sent to the following address at any time:

 

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Selection Department,
Jean-Paul-Str. 12, 53173 Bonn, Germany

Selection committee meetings take place three times a year, in February, June and October. Reviewing the applications takes three to six months. Therefore, applications should be submitted well before the target Selection Committee Meeting.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that he or she has submitted all the necessary documents. Applications not submitted as a single entity will take longer to process. The documents required in addition to the application documents, i.e. the confidential statement by the proposed host and the signed confirmation of research facilities, can be submitted at the same time as the application to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation directly. Subsequently, independent peer reviewers assess the applications.

On the basis of these peer reviews, an independent Selection Committee composed of academics from all disciplines makes the final decision on the applications received.

Candidates will be notified about the Selection Committee's decision immediately after the meeting.

Further information

One of our hallmarks is the degree of support we try to provide for every single guest researcher. This is why we offer you extra benefits in addition to the monthly research fellowship: from invitations to events, via language courses to family allowances.

Further information

Once an Humboldtian, always an Humboldtian: Even after your research stay has come to an end, we shall still maintain close contact with you. Our alumni sponsorship is flexible and designed to support every Humboldtian’s particular path in life and development as well as collaborations between individuals.

Further information