Humboldt Research Fellowship 2026 , Germany (Fully Funded)
The Humboldt Research Fellowship, offered by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, is one of the world’s most prestigious research fellowships for postdoctoral and experienced researchers from around the globe. The fellowship enables highly qualified scholars to conduct independent research in Germany in collaboration with a host institution of their choice.
This fellowship is part of Germany’s Global Minds Initiative and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, supporting academic excellence, diversity, and international collaboration.
Degree Level
The Humboldt Research Fellowship is available for:
- Postdoctoral Researchers
- Experienced Researchers (Senior Researchers / Academics)v
Fellowship Duration
- Postdoctoral Researchers: 6–24 months
- Experienced Researchers: 6–18 months
The fellowship can be divided into up to three research stays within a three-year period.
Available Subjects
All academic disciplines are eligible
- Natural Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Engineering
- Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Medical Sciences
There are no discipline or country quotas, and selection is based purely on academic merit.
Benefits
Fellowship Benefits & Financial Support
Monthly Fellowship Stipend
- €3,000 per month for postdoctoral researchers
- €3,600 per month for experienced researchers
Additional Benefits
- Travel allowance
- Research cost subsidy for host institutions
- Health and liability insurance subsidy
- Family allowance for partners and children
- Financial support for single parents
- Support for researchers with disabilities or chronic illnesses
- Extension options for parental leave or childcare responsibilities
Language & Integration Support
- Free intensive German language course (2–4 months) before the fellowship
- Language course also available for partners
Alumni & Long-Term Support
The Humboldt Foundation maintains lifelong support for fellows through:
- Alumni funding programs
- Return fellowships to Germany
- Funding for future research collaborations
- International academic networking opportunities
Eligible Nationalities
- Open to all nationalities
- Applicants must be non-German residents
- German citizens may apply only if they have lived and worked abroad for at least five consecutive years
- Researchers who have already received direct Humboldt Foundation funding are not eligible
Eligibility Criteria
For Postdoctoral Researchers
- Doctorate completed within the last 4 years, or within 6 months of completion
- Strong publication record in internationally reviewed journals or publishers
For Experienced Researchers
- Doctorate completed within the last 12 years
- Extensive publication record
- Independent research profile (e.g., junior group leader, assistant professor, or equivalent)
General Requirements
- Research proposal agreed with a German host institution
- Confirmation of research facilities from the host
- Two expert academic reviews
- Required language skills (English or German, depending on field)
- Must have lived outside Germany for at least 12 of the last 18 months
Application Procedure
- Identify a host researcher at a German research institution
- Prepare a research proposal (maximum 5 pages)
- Submit application online only via the Humboldt Foundation portal
- Upload required documents:
- CV (max. 2 pages)
- Publication list
- Key publications
- Doctoral certificate
- Language certificate (if required)
- Host and referees submit confidential documents separately
- Submit a complete and fully compliant application
- Incomplete or non-compliant applications are rejected without review.
Selection Procedure
- Selection committee meets three times per year:
- March
- July
- November
- Applications undergo:
- Formal eligibility check
- Independent peer review
- Final evaluation by a multidisciplinary selection committee
- Approval rate: approximately 20–25%
- Results are communicated within 4–8 months
Special & Related Fellowship Options
- Georg Forster Research Fellowship (for researchers contributing to sustainable development)
- CAPES–Humboldt Fellowship (for Brazilian researchers)
- Collaborative Fellowships with partners such as:
- Bayer Foundation
- Carl Friedrich von Siemens Foundation
