About the Humboldt Professorship

Facts at a glance

How much is the award worth?

Up until the selection meeting in October 2025, the award amount for researchers working in theoretical disciplines was 3.5 million euros and five million euros for those in experimental disciplines (this applies to the researchers receiving awards on 12 May 2026). Thanks to funding from the Global Minds Initiative Germany, as of the selection meeting in April 2026, the award amount will be increased to up to 10 million euros for all award winners.

What is the award amount used for?

The award amount is used to finance the first five years of a professorship (seven years as of the 2026 selection meeting). When universities submit a nomination, they declare how they intend to continue financing the professorship in the long term. The funding can be used very flexibly. Usually, it is channeled into building research teams or paying for technical or laboratory facilities. But it can also be used to finance positions for accompanying partners, for example. Moreover, a maximum of 250,000 euros may be spent on the award winner’s annual salary, in addition to whatever the university pays from its own budget.The programme is financed by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space.

Can German nationals receive the award?

Nationality is not relevant. The candidate must come from another country where they are established as a researcher. About half of the award winners are German nationals returning from abroad.

Who can nominate award winners?

German universities. They may partner with a non-university research institute to submit a joint nomination. The award winner then divides their time between the university and the partner institution, such as a Max Planck Institute.

When are decisions made, negotiations conducted and awards granted?

Twice a year, an interdisciplinary selection committee appointed by the Foundation decides on the nominations. Experts from the German Research Foundation also take part, particularly to assess the strategic plans submitted by the universities. The most convincing candidates are selected for the award and can then embark on final negotiations with the respective university lasting up to eight months. If appointment negotiations fail, the award is not granted. The researchers who are appointed as Alexander von Humboldt Professors receive their awards at a formal, annual ceremony that is held in Berlin in May.

How many Humboldt Professorships are awarded?

Up to 2026, up to ten Humboldt Professorships were awarded annually to researchers from all disciplines. From 2020 to 2024, additional Humboldt Professorships in the field of Artificial Intelligence were granted, which could also investigate the social, legal and ethical aspects of Artificial Intelligence.