Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers
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Submit an application if you are a researcher from abroad with above average qualifications, completed your doctorate less than twelve years ago, already have your own research profile and are working at least at the level of Assistant Professor or Junior Research Group Leader or have a record of several years of independent academic work. A Humboldt Research Fellowship for experienced researchers allows you to carry out long-term research (6-18 months) in Germany. Applicants choose their own topic of research and their academic host. The fellowship is flexible and can be divided up into as many as three stays within three years.
Scientists and scholars of all nationalities and disciplines may apply to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation online at any time. In recent years, approximately 25% to 30% of applications were successful. Short-term study visits, participation in congresses and training courses cannot be financed.
Eligible academics from developing and emerging countries may apply for a Georg Forster Fellowship.
Online application
- I would like to register and apply for a Humboldt Research Fellowship.
- I have already created and saved an online application and would like to continue editing this form.
Further information
- Doctorate or comparable academic degree (Ph.D., C.Sc. or equivalent), completed less than twelve years prior to the date of application. If it is not possible or customary to take a doctorate in the candidate's subject or country, applications may be submitted up to twelve years after commencing publication activity;
- The candidate's own research profile documented by a comprehensive list of academic publications reviewed according to international standards and printed in journals and/or by publishing houses;
- Confirmation that research facilities are available and mentoring agreement and a detailed expert's report by an academic host at a research institution in Germany; details of the research outline including information on the intended duration of the fellowship must be agreed with the intended host before applying;
- Two expert reviews from important collaborative partners and/or academics from the candidate's own institute and, if possible, from abroad;
- Language skills: scholars in the humanities or social sciences and physicians must have a good knowledge of German if it is necessary to carry out the research successfully; otherwise a good knowledge of English; scientists and engineers must have a good knowledge of German or English;
- Applications to continue a research stay already underway can only be considered in exceptional cases. The applicant may not have spent an extended period in Germany prior to application. Potential applicants who have been in Germany for more than six months at the time of application are not eligible to apply;
- The Humboldt-Foundation assumes that candidates will abide the Rules of Good Scientific Practice and the legally-binding principles of scientific ethics during the application and sponsorship periods.
Applications may be submitted to the Humboldt Foundation online at any time, provided they have been duly completed and all of the following required documents have been uploaded:
Timeline of the selection procedure |
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- Curriculum vitae (two pages max)
- Research outline (five pages max)
- Complete list of publications
- List of selected key publications
- Key publications
- Doctoral certificate
- German language certificate, if applicable
- Host’s statement and confirmation of research facilities*
- Two expert reviews*
- Additionally, where required: publishers' letter(s) of acceptance and/or acknowledgment(s) of receipt as well as summaries or translations of the key publications
* The host and expert reviewer(s) upload the required documents in a secure area themselves. Applications can be submitted only after these documents have been uploaded. The application form contains further instructions and information.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that he or she has submitted all the necessary documents.
The Humboldt Foundation will confirm receipt of the online application by email. The date used to determine whether the applicant meets certain formal requirements, particularly with respect to career stage limitations and previous stays in Germany, is the date on which the Humboldt Foundation receives the respective application.
After the application has been checked to ensure that it is complete and meets the formal requirements for eligibility applicants will be notified about the proposed selection date. The application documents will then usually be forwarded to two independent reviewers for written review. On the basis of these independent peer reviews a selection committee composed of about 50 academics from all disciplines reaches a decision on approving research fellowships. The selection committee meets three times a year, in March, July and November. If an application has been approved a fellow arriving from abroad may start the fellowship two months after the selection meeting at the earliest. Fellows must start their fellowships within twelve months of the selection meeting; otherwise the fellowship will be forfeited.
If your application is not approved, you may send an informal email requesting feedback to be sent to you and your host on the reasons for the rejection. This will usually follow approximately four to six weeks after the selection committee meeting.
It is not possible to appeal. However, applicants who have been rejected may submit a revised application provided that fundamental aspects of the original application have been significantly improved.
In the case of applications that have been unanimously rejected, new applications will be accepted only after a period of 18 months.
One of our hallmarks is the degree of support we try to provide for every single guest researcher. This is why we offer you extra benefits in addition to the monthly research fellowship: from invitations to events, via language courses to family allowances.
Further information
Once a Humboldtian, always a Humboldtian: Even after your research stay has come to an end, we shall still maintain close contact with you. Our alumni sponsorship is flexible and designed to support every Humboldtian’s particular path in life and development as well as collaborations between individuals.
Further information
This programme is financed by:
Application requirements
I have worked in an English-speaking country for several years. Do I need an English language certificate?
It is either not customary or not possible to take a doctorate in my country of origin. Can I apply?
What determines the date of a doctorate?
Which date is valid if I have several doctorates?
I obtained my doctorate more than twelve years ago. Can I still apply for a fellowship for experienced researchers?
My doctorate was completed less than four years ago. Can I apply for a fellowship for experienced researchers?
Will you take into consideration the time I devoted to bringing up my children?
I am from a developing/transition country. Should I apply for a Humboldt or Georg Forster Fellowship?
Do I need to know German in order to apply?
- Natural scientists and engineers: good knowledge of German or English is sufficient.
- Scholars in the humanities and social sciences: should have knowledge of German if it is necessary to carry out their research successfully. In this case, a German language certificate confirming proficiency must be submitted. Otherwise, a good knowledge of English is sufficient.
- Physicians: if the research involves work with patients, the candidate must have a good knowledge of German (language certificate required). Otherwise, a good knowledge of English is sufficient.
English or German is my native language. Do I have to submit a language certificate proving my proficiency?
I'm a physician (MD / Dr. med.). Are there any special admission requirements?
In addition, please read our Admission Questionnaire for Physicians (MD / Dr. med.) for detailed information.
If you have several research doctorates, the above mentioned FAQ on the subject of "several doctorates" applies.
I already am or recently have been in Germany. Are there any formal grounds militating against my application?
If you have previously been to Germany, you may only apply if you have resided outside Germany for a minimum of 12 months in total in the 18-month period prior to submission of the application. Any time spent in Germany within those 18 months is taken into account, regardless of duration or reason.
If you have arrived in Germany recently you should submit your application as soon as possible, as we can only assess your eligibility and formally accept your application after it has been submitted.
In all other cases you are unfortunately ineligible to apply.
German citizens and/or educational residents* (see following FAQ) are generally ineligible to apply if they have been in Germany within the last 18 months prior to receipt of their application or are already in Germany at the time of applying.
* Educational residents are individuals who have completed their school education and a university degree, or a university degree and their doctorate in Germany.
Can I apply from abroad as a German citizen/educational resident?
We consider you to be permanently established in a foreign country if you have unquestionably been living and working abroad
- for more than 10 years;
- for more than 5 years and meet one of the following criteria that unequivocally indicate strong ties to your current country of residence:
- a permanent/tenured position;
- additional citizenship of your country of residence;
- permanent permission to reside in your current country of residence (e.g. permanent residence permit, green card etc.). Permission to reside based solely on your citizenship (e.g. for EU citizens as part of EU freedom of movement) is not accepted;
- other indications that you intend to permanently return to your current country of residence
German citizens and/or educational residents* are generally ineligible to apply if they have been in Germany within the last 18 months prior to receipt of their application or are already in Germany at the time of applying.
If you intend to apply in order to prepare your permanent return to Germany, we recommend that you instead apply to the “Temporary Positions” programme of the DFG.
If in doubt, we would ask to send us only your complete CV and a list of your publications, so that we can advise you. Please state which criterion applies to you (info(at)avh.de).
* Educational residents are individuals who have completed their school education and a university degree, or a university degree and their doctorate in Germany.
Academic host
Who can be my academic host?
If you have already worked in Germany for a longer period of time (12 months or more) you should look for a new academic environment for another guest stay in Germany. Applications that involve returning to the supervisor of the doctoral thesis or to the mentor of a longer postdoctoral stay are generally rejected by the Selection Committee on the basis of a lack of further independent academic development.
How can I find an academic host?
We would like to draw your attention to the following search engines for hosts and research institutes:
- Institutes at German universities and other research institutions
Searchable Portal (GERiT) of the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) - Research facilities, disciplines and research in Germany
Research portal of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) - Research Map
Hochschulrektorenkonferenz (HRK) - Research facilities, researchers and projects of the DFG in Germany and worldwide
GEPRIS - Database of the German Research Foundation - Research facilities, disciplines and researchers in Germany and worldwide
World of Learning - KISSWIN
Communication and information platform on career paths and funding opportunities for junior academics
Can I conduct my research with two academic hosts?
Will my host institute receive any additional funds for the costs it incurs in connection with my research stay?
Please see the respective FAQ of the Department Sponsorship and Network.
Preparation/Planning
Are there deadlines for submitting applications?
Please note that you can submit your application only after your host and your expert reviewers have uploaded all necessary documents. The date used to determine whether the applicant meets certain formal requirements, such as career stage limitations and stays in Germany, is the date on which the Humboldt Foundation receives the respective application.
Selection committee meetings take place three times a year, in March, July and November. Applications should be submitted at least four to seven months ahead of the prospective selection meeting.
A graphic display of the complete application process can be found under timeline of selection procedure.
Can I apply to several Humboldt Foundation fellowship programmes at the same time, or can I apply for a Humboldt Fellowship and the Sofja Kovalevskaja Award at the same time if I fulfil the formal requirements?
Can I apply for a fellowship from another institution at the same time I submit my application to the Humboldt Foundation?
Can I do part of my research work abroad?
Research stays in the fellow's country of origin or in a non-European country will, however, normally result in a temporary suspension of the fellowship.
Can I apply for a research fellowship for a period of less than six months?
Do I have to divide up my research stays strictly according to the model specified by the programme?
When do I have to start the fellowship period at the latest?
What is the value of the fellowship?
Will you pay the fellowship retroactively if I am already at the host institute at the time of being selected?
Is the intensive German language course part of my research fellowship?
When can I attend a language course?
Do I have to take a language course?
Who bears the travel expenses to and from Germany?
Can I bring my family?
How soon can I begin the fellowship period?
If you are coming from abroad, the earliest you may begin the fellowship period is usually two months (three months if you need a visa) after your application has been approved by the Selection Committee. If you are already in Germany, you can start at the beginning of the following month at the earliest.
Application documents
Should my expert reviews be sent directly to the Humboldt Foundation or enclosed with the application?
Expert reviews should not be more than 12 months old at the time of application.
Who should provide expert reviews for my application and how many expert reviews are required?
Which publications should I enclose with my application?
If you wish to cite your dissertation as a key publication but have not yet submitted it for printing, please upload the original manuscript of your doctoral thesis.
May I include works that have not yet been submitted for publication in the list of key publications and the complete list of publications?
Exception: Your dissertation may be cited as a key publication even if you have not yet submitted it to a publisher. If you wish to cite your dissertation as a key publication but have not yet submitted it for printing, please upload the original manuscript of your doctoral thesis.
What are key publications?
Please note that you cannot amend your selection of key publications once the selection process has begun.
How many key publications should I cite?
If you are applying for a fellowship for experienced researchers you must choose at least three key publications. You may cite a maximum of five. Surplus key publications will be removed from the list without notifying the applicant.
How should I explain why I have chosen a key publication?
Should my key publications also be cited in the complete list of publications?
Please note that it is not possible to amend the list of publications submitted to the Humboldt Foundation once the selection process has begun.
Selection procedure
Will you confirm receipt of my application, as well as other documents, expert reviews and the host's statement?
How much time do I have to submit further documents or update my application?
Will I be notified of the date the Selection Committee will decide on my application?
Who will review my application?
Who will decide on my application?
Will I be notified of the reasons for a rejection?
When will I be informed about the decision?
Selection
How high is the success rate?
What are the most important selection criteria?
Can I re-apply after being rejected?
In the case of unanimously rejected applications, a new application will be accepted only after 18 months.
What issues frequently result in applications being rejected?
In particular, applicants who apply upon completion of their doctoral thesis should ensure that the key findings of the doctoral thesis (key publications) are already published or have been accepted for publication. In case of doubt, it is a good idea to wait for several months before submitting the application until evidence can be provided that the key publications have been accepted.
Lack of academic development:
The chosen research project should not be a direct continuation of the doctoral thesis or of the academic work carried out to date. Returning to the same academic environment, e.g. returning to the supervisor of the doctoral thesis or the mentor of longer postdoctoral research (more than 12 months), or returning to a host institute where a longer research stay has already taken place, generally results in the rejection of applications on the basis of a lack of further independent academic development.
Lack of originality:
In the qualitative assessment of the key publications and of the research outline, the independent peer reviewers focus in particular on the originality of the work and the associated impetus for further development in this research area. If these aspects are not immediately apparent, if the research concerns more routine work or if the aims of the planned research and its significance for the continued development of the subject area are not clearly presented, applications are generally rejected.
Lack of personal academic profile, academic establishment:
In the experienced academics’ programme segment, the personal academic profile is of major importance for the assessment of applications by the independent peer reviewers and committee members. Therefore, applications are frequently rejected if
- no or insufficient publications are available in sole authorship or as a corresponding author;
- the applicants’ topics are too narrowly focused;
- no clear continued academic development is apparent;
- the research project is not clearly aligned with the research interests of the applicant;
- after several postdoctoral positions, another "traditional" postdoctoral position is applied for without the applicant becoming independently established academically in the meantime.