The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation funds researchers of above-average qualifications from all countries (except Germany) to carry out their own research project at a German research institution of their choice, with an academic host. It has two tracks: postdocs (doctorate within the last 4 years, €3,000/month, 6–24 months) and experienced researchers (doctorate within the last 12 years, €3,600/month, 6–18 months).
Why it is notable: The new call system (from 2026) runs three calls per year, each capped at 800 applications — the current call is already full and the next opens 15 November 2026, so applicants must prepare and submit the day the call opens. Unlike most postdoc schemes, the fellowship can be split into up to three stays within three years.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
€3,000/month fellowship amount for postdocs; €3,600/month for experienced researchers
Additional benefits (financial support package beyond the monthly amount), including: family benefits for children and partners; subsidies for private full health insurance; allowances for travel expenses
Intensive German language course before the research stay for the fellow and their partner
Host institutions may receive a subsidy towards research costs (host applies for this)
Personal support throughout the sponsorship; flexible start date
Alumni sponsorship measures after the stay, including possible return fellowship or later visits to Germany
This fellowship is offered for Postdoctoral and Experienced Researcher research stays in Germany.
Who can apply
All countries except Germany. Researchers who are German nationals, or who obtained their university entrance qualification and university degree, or their university degree and doctorate, in Germany, can only apply if they have lived and worked abroad for more than ten years and intend to continue doing so long-term (more than five years abroad with a strong connection to the current country of residence may also qualify — see FAQs).
Experience
Postdocs: no leadership role required, but publications in peer-reviewed journals/publishing houses and a track record above average are expected. Experienced researchers: academic profile substantiated by an extensive publication list including important papers as thematic lead, plus a leadership role commensurate with career level (e.g. assistant professor, lecturer, head of an independent research group or higher).
Language Certificate
No certificate required by default. Natural sciences and engineering: good knowledge of German or English. Humanities, social sciences and medicine: good knowledge of German only if necessary for the research; otherwise good English suffices. A German-language certificate is only added to the application if German is necessary for the project.
Other Certificates
Doctoral certificate (or proof the doctorate will be completed before the selection meeting); curriculum vitae (max 2 pages); complete list of publications (per Foundation sample list); list of selected key publications; key publications themselves.
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Check your eligibility
Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
Open to researchers of all nationalities except Germany (German nationals or those with German degrees qualify only after 10+ years abroad with intent to…
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Qualification
doctorate (or equivalent) completed within the last 4 years (postdocs) or last 12 years (experienced researchers); up to 16 years after a Master's/postgraduate degree where a doctorate is not possible or uncommon, with a commensurate publication record
02
Documents
CV (2 pages max), research outline (5 pages max), complete publication list + key-publication list in the Foundation's sample formats, key publications, doctoral certificate
03
References
two expert reviews, uploaded personally by the reviewers in a protected area (postdocs: doctoral supervisor + one other researcher; experienced: important collaborators/researchers, if possible outside the country of origin)
04
Host
detailed statement from an academic host in Germany + confirmation that research facilities are available; the application is only forwarded once the host's documents are uploaded
05
Language
good German or English (natural sciences/engineering); German only if needed for the project (humanities/social sciences/medicine), otherwise good English suffices
06
Fee
no application fee — completely free
Document checklist
01Curriculum vitae (max 2 pages)
02Research outline (max 5 pages)
03Complete list of publications (per Foundation sample list)
04List of selected key publications (per Foundation sample list)
05Key publications (full documents)
06Doctoral certificate, or proof the doctorate will be completed before the selection meeting
07German-language certificate, only if German is necessary for the research
08Publisher acceptance notifications and/or summaries/translations of key publications not available in German or English (if required)
09Two expert reviews (uploaded personally by the reviewers)
10Detailed host statement and confirmation of research facilities (uploaded by the host)
Application fee
No fee — completely free (applications are submitted online only; no fee is stated anywhere in the official guidelines)
Visa, kept concise: Study visa type for this destination: Germany — research visa under §18d of the Residence Act (Aufenthaltserlaubnis für Forschung), or EU Blue Card for eligible salaries.
Application Procedure
10 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Read the Foundation's sponsorship guidelines and check
at a German research institution; agree the research project and secure their detailed statement plus confirmation that research facilities are available.
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03
Prepare: CV (max 2 pages)
research outline (max 5 pages), complete list of publications (per Foundation sample format), list of selected key publications, key publications, doctoral certificate (or proof of upcoming completion), German-language c
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06
The host uploads their documents after the applicant's submission
the application is only forwarded to the Foundation once the host has uploaded everything.
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05
Create an account and complete the online
application once the call opens (15 November 2026). Submit promptly — each call closes once 800 applications are received.
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04
Arrange two expert reviews —
reviewers upload these personally in a protected area of the application system.
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07
Foundation completes formal checks (4–8 weeks)
peer review (~3–6 months), and the Selection Committee decides at the July 2027 meeting; applicants and hosts are notified by letter about five weeks after the decision.
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08
Curriculum vitae (max 2 pages)
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09
Research outline (max 5 pages)
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10
Complete list of publications (per Foundation sample
list)
Application milestones
15 Nov 2026
Application deadline
2027
Intake year
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official host research institution of the applicant's… platform.
When can I apply for the Humboldt Research Fellowship? A: There are three calls per year, each opening about eight months before the selection meeting (15 March, 15 July, 15 November). The current calWho can apply? A: Postdoctoral and experienced researchers of all nationalities except Germany (with narrow exceptions for German nationals/degree holders who have lived abroad 10+ years). Postdocs muHow much is the fellowship worth? A: Postdocs receive €3,000/month, experienced researchers €3,600/month, plus additional benefits including family allowances, private health insurance subsidies, travCan I apply as a German national living abroad? A: Yes, if you obtained your university entrance qualification and degree, or degree and doctorate, in Germany, you can apply only if you have lived andDoes my host have to do anything? A: Yes — your application is only forwarded to the Foundation once your German host has uploaded their detailed statement and confirmation of research facilities. IncCan I re-apply if rejected? A: Yes, if you significantly improve crucial aspects of the rejected application; after a unanimously rejected application you must wait at least 18 months.Can the fellowship be split across stays? A: Yes — 6–24 months (postdocs) or 6–18 months (experienced researchers), divisible into up to three stays within three years.What counts as career stage for the doctorate clock? A: The deadline for meeting formal conditions (career-stage limits, previous stays in Germany) is the date the Foundation receives the application;
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Germany · host research institution of the applicant's…