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The Humboldt Residency Programme 2027
The Humboldt Residency Programme brings together a transdisciplinary, international group of twelve participants consisting of Humboldtians and early career researchers as well as writers, artists, civil society actors, and social entrepreneurs.
During the six-week residency in Brandenburg and Berlin, with excursions to institutions in Northern Germany and along the North and Baltic Sea coasts, participants will meet daily in shared working spaces, enjoying the unique opportunity to dedicate extensive time and freedom to gaining an in depth understanding of each other’s work across a diverse range of disciplinary backgrounds. They will build transdisciplinary bridges, explore synergies, pose bold questions, think visionary, and connect with relevant stakeholders in Germany and internationally.
While the participants themselves will be enriched by learning from one another, they will also select and implement innovative formats to communicate their key messages to target audiences beyond academia. These may include debates with stakeholders, media appearances, bar talks, interactive workshops, blog and social media posts, or publications.
For a lively impression of previous residency periods, take a look at last year’s video documentary.
Oceanic Horizons: Navigating the Future of Our Blue Planet
The ocean is pivotal to the future of our planet – as an ecosystem, climate regulator, living space and reservoir of resources. Yet it is under increasing pressure from climate change, pollution, overfishing and habitat destruction. And while human activity threatens biodiversity in the ocean, changes in it are also affecting us: Sea-levels rising and the increasing frequency of extreme weather phenomena require societies to adapt.
“Oceanic Horizons” explores the interconnections between ocean health, human activity and planetary futures. How can we protect marine ecosystems while sustainably using the ocean’s resources? What role can innovation and the blue economy play, from renewable energy to marine biotechnology? How can societies adapt to changing coastal environments? How should the ocean and its resources be governed amid competing political, economic and societal interests?
The topic also invites reflection on our relationship with the ocean: What rights and responsibilities do we have towards it? Does the ocean itself have rights? Who can speak and act on its behalf? And how does it shape cultures, identities and imaginations across the world?
Dates of the Programme
The programme runs from June to October 2027 and includes:
- June 29: Virtual kick-off meeting
- August 2 – 13, 2027: Two-week residency at the Cultural Foundation Schloss Wiepersdorf
- August 13 – September 10, 2027: Four-week Residency in Berlin, with excursions to institutions in Northern Germany and along the North and Baltic Sea coasts (prospectively two trips of two – three days)
- September – October 2027: Remote finalisation of output formats
- October 26, 2027: Virtual wrap-up event
Full in-person participation throughout the entire residency, from August 2 to September 10, 2027, is a mandatory requirement for being a part of the programme.
Funding Specifications
Funding for participation in the Humboldt Residency Programme includes
- a monthly allowance during the six-week residency period in Berlin/Brandenburg
- travel allowance for the trip to and from Germany
- accommodation at Schloss Wiepersdorf (2 weeks) and at an aparthotel in Berlin (4 weeks)
- a budget for arranging public event formats or end-of-year output
- For participants travelling with dependent family members, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation will provide suitable family accommodation and support participants in arranging childcare (see the FAQs for more information).
Participants
The participants will be made up of:
5 Alumni/ae of the Humboldt Foundation who …
- demonstrate relevant academic or professional expertise related to the annual theme that can also be effectively communicated to external audiences.
- demonstrate convincingly in their application that they are willing and able to communicate their work beyond academia. Previous experience in this area is not required.
- have received any form of fellowship or award in the past but are not receiving funding in another one of the foundation’s programmes at the start of the residency (August 2027).
- hold an academic position and are currently not based in Germany.
3 Early Career Researchers who …
- have prior experience in science communication, or in connecting their research to wider social and political contexts.
- are either currently pursuing their PhD or have completed their PhD less than four years ago at the start of the residency (August 2027).
- hold an academic position and are currently not based in Germany.
- have a clear academic profile related to the annual theme and demonstrate potential for an academic career.
4 Civil Society Practitioners who …
- can demonstrate a clear connection to the annual theme through their previous work.have the potential to act as multipliers for the ideas and impulses generated during the residency.
- fit one of the following two profiles:
- Creatives, e.g. journalists, authors, filmmakers, curators, artists or designers.
- Practitioners with a professional connection to the annual theme, e.g. people working in politics, (social) entrepreneurs, representatives of social or political campaigns or NGOs, or consultants.
- do not currently hold an academic position.
For further details on the selection criteria, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions document (PDF).
We welcome applications from people from all (academic) disciplines who can prove a relevant connection to the annual theme either in their work or other engagement. We explicitly invite applications from people with innovative or creative approaches to the topic.
How To Apply
If you would like to apply for the Humboldt Residency Programme 2027, please submit the necessary documents to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation online only.
Please note that you may only submit your application once you have uploaded the following documents to the application form:
- Curriculum Vita (max. 3 pages, PDF Format)
- Introduction Video (see below)
Deadline for applications is December 14, 2026.
We evaluate applications on a rolling basis.
The selection committee will meet in mid-February, and you should expect to receive a decision on your application at the end of February 2027.
Introduction Video
We would like to get to know you not just in writing: Please record a video, introducing yourself and telling us why you think you are the right person to take part in this programme (max. 60 seconds). Feel free to demonstrate your personality and creativity in the video!
Whilst production quality will not be a criterion on which we will evaluate the videos, please ensure your recording fulfils the following guidelines:
- You don't necessarily need to use a camera to record your video, a smart phone with a good-quality camera works equally well.
- Choose a well-lit setting, avoid backlighting. Try to avoid shadows and white light.
- Find a quiet spot for the recording. Avoid loud and distracting background noise.
- Please record the video in landscape/horizontal format (16:9).
- File formats: mp4, mov, avi, mpeg
- Length: max. 60 seconds.
Upload the video on Smash (https://fromsmash.com/) and share the link in the application form.
Info Session
In case you have any questions regarding the programme or application process that the attached Frequently Asked Questions document does not address, we invite you to attend our digital info session on November 24, 2026, 2:00 – 3:00pm (CET).
You can register for the Zoom session here.
Contact
Please reach out to residency[at]avh.de if you have any questions regarding the programme or application process.