Overview
The Humboldt Research Fellowship is available for:
Postdoctoral Researchers
Description
The Humboldt Research Fellowship is available for:
Postdoctoral Researchers
Experienced Researchers (Senior Researchers / Academics)v
Eligibility
For Postdoctoral Researchers
Doctorate completed within the last 4 years, or within 6 months of completion
Strong publication record in internationally reviewed journals or publishers
For Experienced Researchers
Doctorate completed within the last 12 years
Extensive publication record
Independent research profile (e.g., junior group leader, assistant professor, or equivalent)
General Requirements
Research proposal agreed with a German host institution
Confirmation of research facilities from the host
Two expert academic reviews
Required language skills (English or German, depending on field)
Must have lived outside Germany for at least 12 of the last 18 months
Additional Information
Degree Level
The Humboldt Research Fellowship is available for:
Postdoctoral Researchers
Experienced Researchers (Senior Researchers / Academics)v
Fellowship Duration
Postdoctoral Researchers: 6–24 months
Experienced Researchers: 6–18 months
The fellowship can be divided into up to three research stays within a three-year period.
Available Subjects
All academic disciplines are eligible
Natural Sciences
Life Sciences
Engineering
Humanities
Social Sciences
Medical Sciences
There are no discipline or country quotas, and selection is based purely on academic merit.
Benefits
Fellowship Benefits & Financial Support
Monthly Fellowship Stipend
€3,000 per month for postdoctoral researchers
€3,600 per month for experienced researchers
Additional Benefits
Travel allowance
Research cost subsidy for host institutions
Health and liability insurance subsidy
Family allowance for partners and children
Financial support for single parents
Support for researchers with disabilities or chronic illnesses
Extension options for parental leave or childcare responsibilities
Language & Integration Support
Free intensive German language course (2–4 months) before the fellowship
Language course also available for partners
Alumni Long Term Support
The Humboldt Foundation maintains lifelong support for fellows through:
Alumni funding programs
Return fellowships to Germany
Funding for future research collaborations
International academic networking opportunities
Eligible Nationalities
Open to all nationalities
Applicants must be non-German residents
German citizens may apply only if they have lived and worked abroad for at least five consecutive years
Researchers who have already received direct Humboldt Foundation funding are not eligible
Eligibility Criteria
For Postdoctoral Researchers
Doctorate completed within the last 4 years, or within 6 months of completion
Strong publication record in internationally reviewed journals or publishers
For Experienced Researchers
Doctorate completed within the last 12 years
Extensive publication record
Independent research profile (e.g., junior group leader, assistant professor, or equivalent)
General Requirements
Research proposal agreed with a German host institution
Confirmation of research facilities from the host
Two expert academic reviews
Required language skills (English or German, depending on field)
Must have lived outside Germany for at least 12 of the last 18 months
Application Procedure
Identify a host researcher at a German research institution
Prepare a research proposal (maximum 5 pages)
Submit application online only via the Humboldt Foundation portal
Upload required documents:
CV (max. 2 pages)
Publication list
Key publications
Doctoral certificate
Language certificate (if required)
Host and referees submit confidential documents separately
Submit a complete and fully compliant application
Incomplete or non-compliant applications are rejected without review.
Selection Procedure
Selection committee meets three times per year:
March
July
November
Applications undergo:
Formal eligibility check
Independent peer review
Final evaluation by a multidisciplinary selection committee
Approval rate: approximately 20–25%
Results are communicated within 4–8 months
Special Related Fellowship Options
Georg Forster Research Fellowship (for researchers contributing to sustainable development)
CAPES–Humboldt Fellowship (for Brazilian researchers)
Collaborative Fellowships with partners such as:
Bayer Foundation
Carl Friedrich von Siemens Foundation
Frequently Asked Questions Faqs
Is the Humboldt Research Fellowship fully funded? Yes, the fellowship is fully funded, covering monthly living expenses, travel costs, insurance, family allowances, and research support.
Can researchers from any country apply for the Humboldt Fellowship? Yes, researchers from all countries (excluding Germany) and all academic disciplines are eligible.
Is there a deadline for the Humboldt Research Fellowship? There is no fixed deadline. Applications are accepted year-round, but selection committees meet three times annually.
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