Location: Germany
Institution: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Opportunity type: Research Fellowship
Career stage: Postdoctoral researchers and experienced researchers
Research fields: All research areas
Duration: 6–24 months for postdoctoral researchers; 6–18 months for experienced researchers
Funding: €3,000/month for postdocs; €3,600/month for experienced researchers, plus additional benefits
🔴 CURRENT STATUS: CLOSED
Next call: November 15, 2026
About the fellowship
The Humboldt Research Fellowship supports highly qualified researchers from around the world who wish to carry out their own research project in collaboration with an academic host at a research institution in Germany.
The fellowship is open to researchers from all nationalities and research areas, making it a particularly broad opportunity for scientists and scholars looking to gain international research experience in Germany.
Applicants choose their own research project and academic host in Germany. The host provides a mentoring agreement and confirmation that the necessary research facilities are available.
Postdoctoral researchers
The postdoctoral programme is aimed at researchers who completed their doctorate within the last four years, or who will complete their doctorate before the intended selection meeting.
Postdoctoral fellows receive €3,000 per month plus additional benefits. The fellowship can last between 6 and 24 months and may be divided into up to three stays within a three-year period.
Experienced researchers
Researchers who completed their doctorate within the last 12 years may apply through the experienced researchers programme if they have an established research profile, an extensive publication record and a position appropriate to their career level.
The fellowship provides €3,600 per month plus additional benefits and can last between 6 and 18 months. The research stay may also be divided into up to three periods within three years.
What the fellowship provides
In addition to the monthly fellowship amount, the Humboldt Foundation offers additional support that may include:
- Travel allowances
- Support for private health insurance
- Family benefits
- Language courses before the research stay, where applicable
- Individual support throughout the fellowship
- Further support through Humboldt alumni programmes
Eligibility
The programme is intended for highly qualified researchers from outside Germany.
For postdoctoral researchers, the doctorate must generally have been completed within the previous four years. Experienced researchers generally must have completed their doctorate within the previous twelve years and demonstrate an established independent research profile.
Applicants must also meet the programme’s mobility requirements. In general, applicants must not have spent more than 90 days in Germany during the 18 months preceding the application.
Researchers in natural sciences and engineering need a good knowledge of German or English. For humanities, social sciences and medicine, German may be required when necessary for the research; otherwise, good English is sufficient.
Application requirements
Applicants must submit an online application including documents such as:
- CV of up to two pages
- Research outline of up to five pages
- Complete publication list
- Selected key publications
- Doctoral certificate or proof of completion
- Two expert reviews
- Statement from the academic host in Germany
- Confirmation that research facilities are available
Additional documents may be required depending on the applicant’s field and circumstances.
Application timeline
The Humboldt Foundation currently operates three application calls per year.
The calls open on:
March 15 → selection in November → earliest fellowship start in February
July 15 → selection in March → earliest fellowship start in May
November 15 → selection in July → earliest fellowship start in September
Current application status
The current call is closed.
The Humboldt Foundation has reached the maximum number of applications for the current round. The next call is scheduled to open on November 15, 2026.
Applicants who are interested in applying should use the period before the next call to identify a suitable host, develop their research proposal and prepare the required documents.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted online to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.
Before applying, candidates should review the complete eligibility requirements, application documents and current call information on the official programme website.
Official source:
https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/en/apply/sponsorship-programmes/humboldt-research-fellowship
Application:
https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/en/apply/sponsorship-programmes/humboldt-research-fellowship
Why this fellowship is worth considering
The Humboldt Research Fellowship is particularly relevant for researchers seeking to establish an independent research collaboration in Germany. Unlike a position tied to a predefined project, fellows develop their own research project together with a host institution of their choice.
For researchers planning an international academic career, the combination of research funding, flexibility in choosing the host institution and access to the Humboldt network makes this a fellowship worth considering.
Always check the official Humboldt Foundation website for the current call, eligibility requirements and application conditions before applying.