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Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship for Postdoctoral Researchers

Submit an application if you are a researcher from Germany with above average qualifications, at the beginning of your academic career and only completed your doctorate in the last four years. A Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship for postdoctoral researchers allows you to carry out a long-term research project (6 to 24 months) you have selected yourself in cooperation with an academic host you have selected yourself at a research institution abroad. The host must be an academic working abroad who has already been sponsored by the Humboldt Foundation. The Humboldt Foundation expects the host to contribute to financing the research fellowship.

Scientists and scholars from all disciplines may apply to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation directly at any time. The Humboldt Foundation grants up to 150 Feodor Lynen Research Fellowships for postdoctoral researchers and experienced researchers annually.

Short-term study visits, participation in congresses and training courses cannot be financed.

Other important details

Further information

  1. Doctorate, 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 reviewed according to international standards and printed in journals and/or by publishing houses.
  3. Confirmation that research facilities are available and a detailed expert's report from an academic host (Humboldt Guest Researcher) at a research institution abroad. On request, the Foundation will confirm whether the prospective host is a researcher previously sponsored by the Humboldt Foundation and/or whether there is a former Humboldt Guest Researcher cooperating with the designated institute (How to find a host). Details of the research project and the proposed timetable must be discussed with the prospective host prior to application.
  4. 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.
  5. Language skills: good knowledge of the language spoken in the host country or at least a very good knowledge of English are required.
  6. The applicant may not have spent an extended period in the host country 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 abroad for more than six months at the time of application should consult the FAQs and please check with the Humboldt Foundation (info(at)avh.de) whether formal requirements have been met before submitting an application.
  7. 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, May/June and October. Reviewing the applications takes three to six months. Therefore, applications should be submitted well before the Selection Committee Meeting targeted.

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.

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 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