Dossier Alexander von Humboldt Professorship

With a value of ten million euros, the Alexander von Humboldt Professorship is the most highly-endowed research award in Germany and draws top international researchers to German universities.

Humboldt Professorship: International researchers at German universities

Sahika Inal | Bioengineering

Sahika Inal works at the intersection of materials science, biology and electronics. Her aim is to make functional polymer materials even more efficient and combine them with biological systems. More

Christopher Barner-Kowollik | Chemistry

Christopher Barner-Kowollik is a leading researcher in macromolecular photochemistry. Together with his team, he studies how light can be precisely controlled to produce new soft-matter materials such as light-controlled 3D printing. More

Ariel Dora Stern | Health economics

Ariel Dora Stern is one of the few researchers with a global reputation in her interdisciplinary research field at the crossroads of medicine, economics, health policy, statistics and health care management, publishing in scientific journals in all these areas.More

Michael Weber | Economics

The economist Michael Weber is a world-leading authority on household finance and inflation. He investigates how inflation is perceived, the role of expectations and why key economic players often fail to reflect the reality of people’s lives in their communications.More

Humboldt Professorship Award Ceremony 2026
Coming to Change: About the Alexander von Humboldt Professorship

About the Humboldt Professorship

How many Humboldt Professorships are being awarded? What is the purpose of the award funds? Can Germans receive the award? Who can nominate candidates? When are decisions made, negotiations conducted and awards granted?

Background

Die Gruppe von Fachleuten analysiert einen Roboterarm, umgeben von technischen Geräten und Bildschirmen, die Daten anzeigen.

More attractive funding for cutting-edge research

The prize money for the Alexander von Humboldt Professorship is to be increased to up to 10 million euros. In addition, the funding period will be extended to seven years as standard.

Binnenflüchtlingscamp Hasan Sham
Close up on research

The hidden costs of violence

The Humboldt Professor Anke Hoeffler studies the causes of violence – whether in civil wars or people’s own homes – and what it eventually costs.

Ein männlicher Anubispavian in der Krone einer Gelbrinden-Akazie.
Close up on research

What does animal behaviour reveal about us humans?

Researcher Meg Crofoot takes us on a journey into the world of primates.

Porträts der vier Alexander von Humboldt-Professor*innen: Karen Radner, Giuseppe Caire, Aimee van Wynsberghe und Jens Meiler

A Boost for Germany as a Science Base

More than 100 Humboldt Professors are now working at German universities and research institutions – four of them report on their experiences

Eine Frau, die zwei Gewichte hochhält, schaut freundlich-bestimmt in die Kamera – ihre Gewichte symbolisieren ihr wissenschaftliches Kernthema „Kinder stärken“.
Quick Insights

Empowering children: How can we do it, Tina Malti?

The developmental psychologist explores how we can empower children and boost their self-confidence. What is important?

Catherina Becker mit Kind am Schreibtisch
Humboldtians in private

What academic moms have to juggle

Humboldt Professor Catherina Becker on her early career, balancing research, teaching and a baby: “Ten days after giving birth, I was back at my computer.”