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updated on 1 July
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Romanian research funding organisation UEFISCDI expand support for young Romanian scientists returning home.
The two institutions recently reached agreement to this effect in a Memorandum of Understanding. Under the MoU, following a research stay in Germany, sponsored individuals can apply for complementary assistance to support them for two years during their reintegration into the Romanian research landscape. For this purpose, the Humboldt Foundation has increased the amount of its Return Fellowship. In future, Humboldt alumni returning to their home country will receive €800 a month for 24 months. Recipients can also apply for an equipment subsidy of up to €20,000. UEFISCDI’s Simion Mehedinti Fellowship, which specifically targets Humboldt alumni, provides each individual a further €7,500 a year.
“A reflection of good research cooperation”
“Europe needs Romania as a strong location for science and scholarship. During my trips to Romania in recent years I have repeatedly heard how the emigration of young researchers from the country’s scientific and academic elite is weakening Romania. We are very pleased that we as a foundation, together with UEFISCDI, can make a contribution to countering this brain drain”, said Enno Aufderheide, Secretary General of the Humboldt Foundation. Adrian Curaj, Director of the Romanian research funding organisation UEFISCDI, also welcomes the collaboration: “The fact that, together with the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, we are able to assist these outstanding scientists and scholars with a special funding arrangement is additionally a reflection of the good research cooperation between Romania and Germany.”
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in May 2020 and will initially be effective for six years.