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The Humboldt Residency Programme 2026
The Humboldt Residency Programme brings together a transdisciplinary, international group of twelve participants consisting of Humboldtians and early career researchers with writers, artists, civil society actors and social entrepreneurs.
During the six-week residency in Brandenburg/Berlin, participants will meet daily in shared working spaces enjoying the unique opportunity of extensive time and freedom to gain an in depth understanding of each other’s work across a diverse range of disciplinary backgrounds, build transdisciplinary bridges, explore synergies, pose bold questions, think visionary, and connect with relevant stakeholders in Berlin and internationally.
While the participants themselves will be enriched by learning from each other, they will also select and implement innovative formats to communicate their key messages with target audiences outside of academia. These could 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.
Democracy 2.26: Designing Political Participation
Whilst democracy remains the most widespread and desired form of governance worldwide, it faces a long-term global decline. Populist movements – often challenging core democratic values – continue to gain momentum, fuelled in part by growing distrust in democratic institutions, a sense of underrepresentation, and an increasing distance from democratic processes within certain social groups. Digitisation, whilst opening new spaces for political debate, has also led to an information crisis, fostering polarisation and disinformation. Instances of economic interests and actors influencing democratic systems call into question the concept of representation for all people.
For a healthy democracy, however, it is essential that citizens participate beyond election cycles. To ensure the resilience of contemporary democracies, they need to adapt to regional and socio-cultural demands and increase accessibility and participation for all their members.
The Humboldt Residency Programme 2026 is responding to this need by critically examining political participation as a concept, as well as by designing and experimenting with innovative, informal political participation formats – grounded in the belief that democratic values are fundamental to security, cultural diversity, and economic prosperity.
Subtopics may include:
- Political Legitimacy: Can political participation rebuild public trust in institutions and, thereby, in governance - especially amongst those who are, or perceive themselves to be, marginalised by the current system?
- Deliberative and Participatory Democracy Models: What potential do existing mechanisms such as citizens’ councils, participatory budgeting, and direct democracy tools hold?
- Representation of Minorities: How can both formal and informal political participation be designed to ensure the representation of marginalised voices in political decision-making?
- Political Participation in the Digital Age: How can risks such as disinformation and polarising echo chambers—and opportunities such as the accessibility of digital deliberation and online civic engagement – be balanced sustainably?
Programme Dates
The programme runs from June to October 2026 and includes:
- 23 June: Virtual kick-off meeting
- 3 – 14 August: Two-week residency at the Cultural Foundation Schloss Wiepersdorf
- 14 August – 11 September: Four-week residency in Berlin
- September – October: Remote finalisation of output formats
- 27 October: Virtual wrap-up event
In-person participation during the entire residency from 3 August to 11 September 2026 is a requirement for participating in 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:
- A creative lead (this role is not open for applications).
- Three Alumni/ae of the Humboldt Foundation, who have received any form of fellowship or prize in the past but are not involved in another one of the foundation’s programmes at the start of the residency (August 2026). They hold an academic position and are currently not based in Germany.
- Three early career researchers, who are either in the final stages of their PhD or have completed their PhD less than four years ago at the start of the residency (August 2026). They hold an academic position and are currently not based in Germany.
- Five persons from civil society, journalism, arts or social entrepreneurship, who do not currently hold an academic position.
For further details on the selection criteria, please refer to our FAQs.
We welcome applications from individuals from all (academic) disciplines who can prove a relevant connection to the annual theme either in their work or other forms of 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 2026, please submit the necessary documents to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation online only.
If you already have an account and an application form in "My Humboldt", continue with your saved application using the second button.
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 15th, 2025.
We evaluate applications on a rolling basis. The selection committee will meet in early February, and you should expect to receive a decision on your application mid-February 2026.
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, no backlight. 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.
Contact
Please reach out to residency[at]avh.de should you have any questions regarding the programme or application process.