About the Humboldt Foundation

About us

The Humboldt Foundation

We sponsor scientists and scholars, irrespective of academic discipline and nationality. We strengthen Germany as a research location through international research exchanges. We support our sponsorship recipients during their entire lifetimes and actively promote international understanding, scientific progress and development.

2019 – 2023

Our strategy

Mission, vision, opportunities and challenges: these goals and guidelines shape our work.

Our history

Chronology of the Humboldt Foundation

When the foundation was established in 1953, the moon landing was little more than a pipe dream, pacemakers and the contraceptive pill had not yet been invented, and smartphones and the Internet were at best science fiction. However, the fundamental idea underlying the Foundation is still relevant today.

Early adopter: Alexander von Humboldt am Fluss Orinoco in Venezuela, porträtiert 1806 von Friedrich Georg Weitsch
About the man behind the name

Who was Alexander von Humboldt?

Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) was a nature researcher and explorer, universal genius and cosmopolitan, scientist and patron. His lengthy Latin American journey from 1799 to 1804 was celebrated as the second scientific discovery of South America.

Shot of a ceremonial Nobel Prize award ceremony from a bird's eye view
From our network

Humboldtian and Nobel laureate

The Foundation maintains an interdisciplinary network of well over 30,000 Humboldtians in more than 140 countries around the world – including 61 Nobel Prize winners.

Equal opportunities

Tapping academic potential – irrespective of gender

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation wants to recruit the world’s best minds for a research stay in Germany as well as for its international network of outstanding researchers. In all our efforts we emphatically campaign for gender equality and equal opportunities in research.

Background Easter Jelly Beans; Text: Progress Diversity

Why we reach for the *** (stars)

Diversity of perspectives is the precondition for excellence. So, for us, excellence starts with indicating diversity in our language.

Alumni and networking strategy

The Humboldt Foundation aims to consistently and systematically develop its network and exploit its potential to greater effect.

Partners and Sponsors

The Humboldt Foundation’s activities are chiefly financed from resources deriving from government and non-government funders.

Security-relevant research

Context and stance of the Humboldt Foundation

Our statutes

Statutes of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation of 10 December 1953 (as last revised on 11 May 2017, in German only)

Information brochures

informational material about Humboldt Programmes

Support us!

Your donation to the Humboldt Foundation helps to promote the next generation of outstanding researchers worldwide.

Science Communication

Whether the subject is climate change or the corona pandemic, science and research have a number of responsibilities that include keeping up the dialogue with society. The Humboldt Foundation aims to engage with the public through various formats of science communication.

Corporate Design

On this page, you will find downloads and information on the correct use of the Humboldt Foundation logo and other elements of our corporate design.