Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship 2025 for Postdocs and Experienced Researchers

📖 About the Fellowship

The Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship supports researchers with exceptional qualifications from around the world. Through this fellowship, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation provides individual support and a diverse sponsorship portfolio to fellows.

The foundation is committed to promoting gender balance and diversity among its fellows. Applications are encouraged from female scientists and members of underrepresented groups, regardless of ethnic, cultural, or social background, gender identity, age, religion, worldview, disability, or sexual orientation.

📅 Opportunity Details

• Date Published: May 05, 2025
• Application Deadline: Ongoing
• Category: Fellowship
• Opportunity Location: Germany
• Sponsor Organization: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

🎁 Benefits of the Fellowship

For Postdocs:

• Monthly fellowship amount: €2,700 plus additional benefits.
• Duration: 6 to 24 months, which can be divided into up to three stays within three years.
• Opportunity to conduct research in Germany at the beginning of your academic career.

For Experienced Researchers:

• Monthly fellowship amount: €3,200 plus additional benefits.
• Duration: 6 to 18 months, which can be divided into up to three stays within three years.
• Opportunity to conduct research in Germany even if you are well advanced in your academic career.

General Benefits:

• Personal support throughout the sponsorship.
• Flexibility in determining the start date of the fellowship.
• Intensive language courses for fellows and their partners before the research fellowship begins.
• Additional financial support, including:
  • Family benefits for children and partners.
  • Subsidies for private full health insurance.
  • Allowances for travel expenses.
• Alumni programs to maintain contact and provide support for future research collaborations, including return fellowships or later visits to Germany.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• Nationality: Applicants must not be German nationals. Exceptions apply if:
  • You have lived and worked abroad for more than 10 years and intend to continue doing so long-term.
  • You have lived and worked abroad for more than 5 years and have a strong connection to your current country of residence (e.g., permanent employment or additional citizenship).
• Residency in Germany: Applicants must not have lived in Germany for longer than 6 months within the 18-month period prior to submitting the application.
• Recent Arrivals: If you have recently arrived in Germany, submit your application as soon as possible.
• Expert Reviews:
  • Postdocs: Two expert reviews, preferably from your doctoral supervisor and another researcher outside your institute.
  • Experienced Researchers: Reviews from key collaborative partners or researchers at your institute or other institutes outside your country of origin.
• Language Skills:
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering: Good knowledge of German or English.
  • Humanities, Social Sciences, and Medicine: Good knowledge of German if required for research; otherwise, good knowledge of English suffices.

📝 Application Process

Required Documents:

1. Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages).
2. Research Outline (maximum 5 pages).
3. Complete list of publications (Sample List).
4. List of selected key publications (Sample List).
5. Key publications.
6. Doctoral Certificate or proof of successful completion (or confirmation that it will be completed within six months).
7. German Language Certificate, if required.
8. If applicable:
   • Publisher’s acceptance notifications and/or acknowledgments for key publications not available in German or English.
   • Summaries/translations of key publications.

Additional Requirements:

• Host’s Statement: Confirmation that research facilities are available.
• Two Expert Reviews: These must be uploaded directly by the host(s) and expert reviewers in a protected area.

Submission:

• Applications can only be submitted once all required documents are uploaded.
• After submission, you will receive a confirmation email. The foundation will notify you of the expected selection date after reviewing your documents.

Contact:

For any doubts or questions, contact the foundation at info[at]avh.de before submitting your application.

🌐 Application Links

• View Fellowship Details
• Apply for the Fellowship

This fellowship is a prestigious opportunity to advance your academic career while conducting research in Germany. Don't miss the chance to apply!

• Postdocs: Benefit from research sponsorship in Germany at the beginning of your academic career. The Humboldt Research Fellowship for postdocs enables you to conduct research in Germany. The monthly fellowship amount is €2,700 plus additional benefits. Fellowships may last from 6 to 24 months and can be divided into up to three stays within three years.
• Experienced researchers: You can still apply for research sponsorship in Germany even if you are already well advanced in your academic career. The Humboldt Research Fellowship for experienced researchers enables you to conduct research in Germany. The fellowship amount is €3,200 plus additional benefits. Fellowships may last from 6 to 18 months and can be divided into up to three stays within three years.
• General conditions: In addition to the fellowship amount plus additional benefits, you will also receive personal support throughout your sponsorship. You are flexible in determining when you would like to start your fellowship. Prior to your research fellowship, you and your partner will be able to attend an intensive language course.
• Further financial support, including family benefits for children and partners, subsidies for private full health insurance and allowances for travel expenses, is also available.
• Alumni programmes: They stay in contact even after your research stay has come to an end. Their alumni sponsorship measures flexibly support every Humboldtian's individual journey through life, in both their careers and their future research collaborations. A return fellowship or later visits to Germany are also possible.