Overview
Host Country: Germany
Funding Organization: Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Foundation
Description
Host Country: Germany
Funding Organization: Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Foundation
Fellowship Name: Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Physics Fellowship
Funding Amount: €100,000 per fellow
Duration: 2 years
Number of Awards: Up to 5 per year
Eligible Level: Early-career researchers (post-PhD)
Field: Physics and related scientific disciplines
Application Type: Institutional nomination only
Eligibility
To qualify, candidates must:
Hold a PhD in physics or a related field
Be employed at a German university or research institution
Be within six years of completing their doctorate
Demonstrate strong research independence and originality
Show potential to contribute to future developments in physics
Have a strong publication record
Be nominated by institutional leadership
Additional Information
Fellowship Summary
Host Country: Germany
Funding Organization: Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Foundation
Fellowship Name: Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Physics Fellowship
Funding Amount: €100,000 per fellow
Duration: 2 years
Number of Awards: Up to 5 per year
Eligible Level: Early-career researchers (post-PhD)
Field: Physics and related scientific disciplines
Application Type: Institutional nomination only
About The Fellowship
The Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Physics Fellowship is designed to support the next generation of leading physicists in Germany. Unlike traditional student scholarships, this program is aimed at researchers who have already completed their PhD and are working in academic or research institutions.
The fellowship allows scientists to pursue independent research projects while gaining financial flexibility to strengthen their academic profile. It is particularly valuable for researchers who want to build long-term careers in Germany’s competitive scientific landscape.
Degree Level
This fellowship is intended for:
Postdoctoral researchers
Junior research group leaders
Early-career faculty members
PhD holders within six years of completion
Applicants must already be employed at a German university or research institution.
Available Subjects
The fellowship focuses on:
Physics
Applied Physics
Theoretical Physics
Interdisciplinary scientific research related to physics
Emerging scientific fields closely linked to physics
Benefits
Selected fellows receive:
Financial Support
€100,000 flexible research funding over two years
Allowable Uses Of Funds
Laboratory and research equipment
Scientific conferences and workshops
International research collaboration
Travel and networking activities
Research assistants and project support
Publication and dissemination costs
Additional Advantages
Prestigious recognition in German academia
Support for independent research development
Strong career advancement opportunities
Increased visibility in European research networks
Important Conditions
Applicants should note the following rules:
Funds cannot be used as personal salary
Applicants must remain employed at a German institution during the fellowship
Self-employed or external applicants are not eligible
Applicants must be within six years of completing their PhD
Eligible Nationalities
Open to applicants of all nationalities.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, candidates must:
Hold a PhD in physics or a related field
Be employed at a German university or research institution
Be within six years of completing their doctorate
Demonstrate strong research independence and originality
Show potential to contribute to future developments in physics
Have a strong publication record
Be nominated by institutional leadership
Application Procedure
The fellowship is highly selective and cannot be applied for directly. Instead:
Candidates must be nominated by a university dean or research institution
Institutions prepare a nomination package
Required documents are submitted as a single PDF file
Evaluation is conducted by the foundation
Selected researchers are awarded funding
Required Documents
Institutions must submit:
Nomination letter highlighting research achievements
Updated CV
Full publication list
List of academic presentations
Three representative publications
All documents combined into one PDF file
Deadline
Nomination Deadline: 31 May 2026
Submission Email: Foundation director (as specified by the program)
Why This Fellowship Is Important
The Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Physics Fellowship is considered one of the most influential early-career funding schemes in Germany because it:
Provides significant flexible funding (€100,000)
Supports independent research development
Strengthens academic reputation in physics
Helps researchers transition into long-term academic careers
Encourages innovative and interdisciplinary scientific work
Because of its nomination-only structure and limited awards, the fellowship is highly competitive and primarily awarded to researchers with strong institutional backing and clear scientific potential.
Frequently Asked Questions Faqs
Who can apply for this fellowship? Postdoctoral researchers and early-career physicists employed at German research institutions who are within six years of completing their PhD can be nominated.
Is the fellowship open for international researchers? Yes, but applicants must already be working at a German university or research institution at the time of nomination.
Can the fellowship funds be used as salary? No. The €100,000 funding is strictly for research-related expenses such as equipment, travel, collaboration, and project support.
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Funding
Partial Funding
Organization
Germany Universities
Degree
Post Doctorate
Subjects
Physics
Nationality
International Students
Country
Germany
Source
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