Information on Fellowships and Awards from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

 

You are from New Zealand and are interested in a research project
in Germany? Or you are from Germany and you would like to come to New
Zealand to conduct research here? In either case you will find  information on possible Research Fellowships and other awards from the Alexander von Humboldt foundation below.

In both cases, check our list of Research Fellows and Feoder Lynen Fellows for potential hosts.

Further information on these and other programs can be found here.

Humboldt Research Fellowship for Foreign Scholars

Up to 500 research fellowships are granted annually to highly qualified
scholars who hold a doctorate degree received within the past 12 years.
The fellowship enables them to carry out research projects of their own choice at
research institutes in Germany. Applications may be submitted at any time by
scholars from all nations and academic disciplines (no quotas). Selection
meetings are held every March, June/July and November.

The fellowship is granted initially for 6 to 12 months with the possibility of
extension to up to 24 months on application. Up to six months of the overall
period may be spent at research institutes across Europe.

The fellowship is worth 2,250 EUR per month plus additional benefits such as
allowance for research costs, travel expenses, family allowances, language courses
etc.

Applications requirements are:

  1. Doctorate or comparable academic degree (Ph.D., C.Sc. or equivalent),
    completed within 12 years prior to the date of application.
  2. Academic publications reviewed according to international standards and
    printed in journals and/or by publishing houses.
  3. Confirmation that research facilities are available and a detailed
    expert’s report by an academic host at a research institution in
    Germany.
  4. Expert references from the doctoral supervisor and other academics
    qualified to comment on the applicant’s eligibility, preferably including
    reviewers not working at the applicant’s own institute.
  5. Good knowledge of German, if this is necessary to carry out the research
    project successfully; otherwise a good knowledge of English

Humboldt Research Awards for Foreign Scholars

Up to 100 Humboldt Research Awards are granted annually to internationally
recognized foreign scholars whose research has had a significant impact on
their discipline.

Nominations for awards may be made at any time by established academics in
Germany. Direct applications are not accepted. There is no age limit. Selection
meetings are held twice a year, usually in March and October (science),
once a year in May/June (humanities).

Award winners are invited to spend a period of up to one year at research
institutes in Germany. The award is valued 60,000 EUR.

Max Planck Research Awards for Foreign and German Scholars

Annually, two Max Planck Research Awards are granted to internationally
acknowledged scientists and scholars of all nationalities – one to a
researcher working in Germany, one to a researcher working abroad.

Nominations must be made by the heads of German universities or research
institutions. Direct applications are not accepted. Each award is valued
750,000 EUR and may be used over a period of three to a maximum of five
years to fund research chosen by the award winner.

Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship for German Scholars

Up to 150 Feodor Lynen Research Fellowships are granted annually to highly
qualified German scholars holding a doctorate degree received within the past 12 years. The Fellowship enables you to carry out research projects of you choice at
research institutes of former Humboldt Research Award recipients abroad.

Applications can be submitted at any time, for all disciplines and countries.
Selection meetings are held three times a year. The fellowship is granted for
a period of 6 to 24 months. The monthly rate for the fellowship varies
according to host country and family status. Additional assistance for travel
expenses, material costs, reintegration assistance upon repatriation to Germany
may also be granted.

Application requirements are:

  1. Doctorate degree
  2. Formal invitation by a former Humboldt Fellow or Award winner
  3. Academic publications
  4. A specific research plan
  5. Good knowledge of the English language or the language of the host country

Furthermore 30 research fellowships are granted annually by the Japan society
for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and the Science and Technology Agency (STA).

Follow-up Program for former Humboldt Scholars

Since 1953, approximately 26000 foreign scholars from 130 nations
were sponsored by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. The Foundation
maintains contact with these scholars by inviting them to spend further
short periods conducting research in Germany, by donation of academic
literature and scientific equipment (the latter only to countries with
low foreign exchange reserves) and by grants towards the cost of attending
academic conferences in Germany and towards printing costs.