Gerda Henkel Research Scholarships 2027, Germany
Researchers in the historical humanities looking for independent funding opportunities in Europe have a significant opportunity for 2027. The Gerda Henkel Foundation has officially confirmed that applications are being accepted under its General Research Grants Programme, one of Germany's most respected funding schemes supporting advanced research in history-related disciplines worldwide.
Unlike many research funding programs that restrict applicants by nationality or institutional affiliation, the Gerda Henkel Foundation welcomes qualified scholars from around the world and evaluates applications primarily on the quality and historical relevance of the proposed research project.
Below is everything you need to know about this prestigious scholarship.
Scholarship at a Glance
- Scholarship Name: Gerda Henkel Foundation Research Scholarship (General Research Grants Programme)
- Funding Amount: Varies (covers full-time research scholarship, travel, materials, student assistant support, family allowance, etc.)
- Degree Level: Postdoctoral and advanced researchers (PhD holders)
- Subjects: Historical Humanities (Archaeology, History, Historical Islamic Studies, Art History, History of Law, Prehistory & Early History, History of Science)
- Nationality: Open to all nationalities worldwide
- Country of Research: Germany (research stays abroad also supported)
- Funding Duration: 1 month to 24 months
- Deadline: November 20, 2026
- Notification: Not specified (check with foundation)
Degree Level
- Postdoctoral researchers (PhD holders)
- Advanced researchers with equivalent qualifications
- Doctoral candidates – must apply under the separate PhD Scholarship category (not the standard Research Scholarship)
Available Subjects
The Gerda Henkel Foundation primarily supports projects within:
- Archaeology
- History
- Historical Islamic Studies
- Art History
- History of Law
- Prehistory and Early History
- History of Science
Note: Applications from neighboring disciplines may also be considered if the core research question is clearly historical in nature.
Benefits
The scholarship package is designed to allow experienced researchers to dedicate themselves fully to scholarly work without employment obligations. Benefits may include:
- Full-time research scholarship funding (amount varies by experience level and location)
- Support for research periods ranging from 1 to 24 months
- Travel assistance
- Material and research expenses
- Student assistant support where required
- Monthly family allowance (where applicable)
- Additional monthly support for research stays abroad (where applicable)
Important: You may not receive a salary or pension while holding the scholarship. The funding is intended to replace employment income during the research period.
Eligible Nationalities
- Country of Residence: No restriction – you may apply regardless of where you live
- Institutional Affiliation: Not required – you do not need to be employed by a university or research institution at the time of application
- This makes the Gerda Henkel Scholarship exceptionally accessible to independent researchers worldwide.
Eligibility Criteria
General Requirements
- Hold a PhD or equivalent advanced academic qualification
- Apply for a project with clear historical relevance
- Commit to full-time research during the funding period
- Not receive a salary or pension while holding the scholarship
- Special Requirements for Postdoctoral Researchers
- PhD must normally have been awarded within the previous ten years
- Doctoral dissertation must already be published
- Proposed project must differ substantially from your PhD topic
- Previous Gerda Henkel research scholarships must have ended at least five years before a new application
- If your last proposal was rejected, you must wait at least three years before applying again
- Previously rejected projects cannot be resubmitted
Why This Scholarship Stands Out
In a funding environment increasingly tied to institutional partnerships and predefined research themes, the Gerda Henkel Foundation continues to support researcher-driven inquiry. The program allows scholars to pursue original questions in historical humanities while receiving financial support that can cover both research activities and related academic costs.
For historians, archaeologists, legal historians, historians of science, and scholars working on historically oriented interdisciplinary projects, this scholarship remains one of Europe's most prestigious independent research funding opportunities.
Application Procedure
Step 1: Determine Your Funding Category
Select the correct funding stream:
- Research Scholarship (individual, no salary)
- Research Project (with team or material needs)
- PhD Scholarship (for doctoral candidates)
Develop a detailed proposal demonstrating:
- Clear historical relevance
- Originality and scholarly significance
- Feasibility within the requested funding period (1–24 months)
- Substantial difference from your PhD topic (for postdocs)
Step 3: Gather Supporting Documents
Typical requirements include:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- List of publications
- PhD certificate and proof of dissertation publication
- Detailed research proposal and work plan
- Budget breakdown
- Letters of recommendation (usually 2–3)
- Timeline for the research period
Step 4: Submit Before the Deadline
- Deadline: November 20, 2026
- Submission Portal: Via the Gerda Henkel Foundation's online application system (check official website)
Step 5: Await Review
The Foundation evaluates applications primarily on:
- Quality of the proposed research
- Historical relevance
- Applicant's qualifications and track record
