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Humboldt Research Fellowship

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Humboldt research fellowship for postdoctoral and experienced researchers.

The Humboldt Research Fellowship for researchers of all nationalities and research areas: We support you with your research in Germany .

Through the Humboldt Research Fellowship, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation sponsors researchers with above-average qualifications from across the globe. As a fellow, you will benefit from individual support from the Humboldt Foundation and our diverse sponsorship portfolio.

Looking ahead to the upcoming meetings of the selection committee, we expect that 20 – 25% of the applications received will be approved.

• Programme information for postdocs (PDF, 131 KB)
• Programme information for experienced researchers (PDF, 122 KB)
• Information for hosts
• Information for expert reviewers
• Information for independent peer reviewers
• Recently selected fellows

Researchers from developing and emerging countries whose research contributes to sustainable development should apply for a Georg Forster Research Fellowship , which is equivalent to a Humboldt Research Fellowship. Should your programme search yield both Fellowships, please use the Programme Compass for further guidance. It the best possible support when selecting the programme that corresponds most closely to your profile. Researchers from Brazil can only apply for a CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship ​​​​​​​.

What we offer

The Humboldt Research Fellowship enables you to conduct your own research at various stages of your career in collaboration with a host at a German research institution of your choice. Hosts may apply for a subsidy towards research costs.

• Information on sponsorship during the research stay
• Information on sponsorship for alumni abroad

Benefit from research sponsorship in Germany at the beginning of your academic career. The Humboldt Research Fellowship for postdoctoral researchers enables you to conduct research in Germany. The monthly fellowship amount is €2,670. Fellowships may last from 6 to 24 months. 

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 €3,170. 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, 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 marital partner will be able to attend an intensive language course.

Further financial support, including family benefits for children and marital partners, subsidies for private full health insurance and allowances for travel expenses, is also available.

Alumni programmes

We stay in contact even after your research stay has come to an end. Our 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.

You must meet the following criteria

The Humboldt Research Fellowship addresses post-doctoral researchers with above-average qualifications from across the globe – regardless of their field.

Did you complete your doctorate – or equivalent academic qualification – during the last four years? Or are you within six months of completing your doctorate and can already provide a written summary of your findings? Have you been published in academic journals and by publishing houses that are reviewed according to international standards? If so, and if you fulfil the criteria under the “What is required of you” section, apply for the Humboldt Research Fellowship for postdoctoral researchers.

Did you complete your doctorate – or equivalent academic qualification – during the last twelve years? Is your academic profile substantiated by an extensive list of publications in academic journals and by publishing houses that are reviewed according to international standards? If so, and if you fulfil the criteria under the “What is required of you” section, apply for the Humboldt Research Fellowship for experienced researchers. If a doctorate in your field or country of origin is not possible or uncommon, you can still apply up to 16 years after completing your master’s or other postgraduate degree provided that you have a publication record commensurate with your career level.

What is required of you

You must fulfil the following criteria to successfully apply for the Humboldt Research Fellowship.

Nationality

You are not a German national. If you are a German national, or if you obtained your university entrance qualification and university degree, or your university degree and your doctorate, in Germany, you can apply if you have lived and worked abroad for more than ten years and intend to continue doing so long-term. Have you lived and worked abroad for more than five years? You can still apply if there is a strong connection to your current country of residence (permanent employment, additional citizenship etc. – see FAQs).   

For your application to be successful, you may not have lived in Germany for longer than a total of six months within the 18-month period prior to submitting your application.

If you have arrived in Germany recently you should submit your application as soon as possible, as we can only assess your eligibility and formally accept your application after it has been submitted.

Confirmation that research facilities are available/host’s statement

A researcher from an academic institution of your choice in Germany will provide you with a mentoring agreement and written confirmation that research facilities are available, and will compile a detailed review for you.

Expert reviews

You can provide two expert reviews.  Postdocs: Your doctoral supervisor and one other researcher – outside of your institute, if possible – should provide well-grounded information on your qualifications.  Experienced researchers: The reviews should be provided by important collaborative partners and/or researchers at your own institute as well as other institutes – outside your country of origin, if possible.

Language skills

Natural sciences and engineering: You must have a good knowledge of German or English.  Humanities, social sciences and medicine: You must have a good knowledge of German if this is necessary for conducting your research successfully. Otherwise, good knowledge of English will suffice.

You must abide by the rules of good scientific practice  (PDF) and the principles of scientific ethics. The foundation provides information on dealing with generative AI in the selection area .

You may not apply for the Humboldt Research Fellowship if you have already received sponsorship from the Humboldt Foundation. In such cases, our alumni programmes are open to you.

Is the Humboldt Research Fellowship not the most suitable fellowship for you? Use our Programme Search to find the sponsorship that fits your personal career or contact us for individual advice.

• Programme Search
• Individual advice

How to apply

If you would like to apply for the Humboldt Research Fellowship, please submit the necessary documents to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation online only .

If you have any doubts or questions, please contact us ( info[at]avh.de ) before submitting your application. We are happy to help.

What we need from you

Please note that you may only submit your application once you have uploaded the following documents in the application form:

• curriculum vitae (two pages max)
• research outline ( five pages max)
• complete list of your publications (cf. sample list , PDF)
• list of selected key publications (cf. sample list , PDF)
• key publications
• doctoral certificate or proof that your doctorate has been completed successfully, or confirmation that this will be the case within the next six months
• German language certificate, if required
• if required: publisher’s acceptance notifications and/or acknowledgement of receipt and summaries/translations of key publications that are not available in German or in English
• In addition: host’s statement and confirmation that research facilities are available, as well as two expert reviews. Please note that these documents can only be uploaded in a protected area by the host(s) and expert reviewers personally. You can only submit your application once these documents have been uploaded. Further information and explanations can be found on the application form.

As soon as we have received your online application, we will send you written confirmation by email. After reviewing your documents, we will notify you of the expected selection date.

The Selection Committee responsible for reviewing applications to this programme meets every March, July and November . Please send your completed application form, including any additional documents required, well in advance of the desired selection date. Applications are usually processed within four to eight months. Incomplete or inaccurate applications take longer to process and often have to be postponed to a later Selection Committee meeting.

The deadline for meeting certain formal conditions – in particular those relating to limitations on career stages and previous stays in Germany – is the date on which we receive your application.

If your application is successful, you may begin your fellowship between two and twelve months after being selected.

If your application is unsuccessful, we may provide you with the reasons for our decision. Please request this information informally by email. You and your host will receive a letter with the outcome of your application approximately five weeks after the decision is made. Decisions cannot be appealed. You can, however, re-apply if you significantly improve crucial aspects of the rejected application. In the case of unanimously rejected applications, you must unfortunately wait a minimum of 18 months before re-applying.

The selection procedure

In March 2022, the Humboldt Foundation launched the pilot phase of a new, digital, interactive review process. Whilst the previous procedure usually involved the submission of two independent specialist reviews for each application, the peer-circle process now being tested is based on a group of six to ten reviewers comparing and discussing several applications on a protected platform. During the pilot phase, applications for Humboldt Research Fellowships in inorganic chemistry, materials science, zoology and modern history will be reviewed using the peer-circle process. Successively, the procedure will be applied to other research areas, too. In 2022, the peer-circle process was evaluated by an independent academic. The results of the evaluation can be found here .

The decision to award research fellowships is taken by a selection committee consisting of 60–70 researchers from various fields. The committee’s decision is usually based on two independent peer reviews that evaluate your personal academic credentials. The assessment is based on the following selection criteria, depending on your career level:

• academic career and academic record to date (mobility, determination, thematic scope, academic productivity)
• quality of the key publications named in the application (originality, innovativeness, evaluation of your own contributions to publications involving several authors)
• originality and innovative potential of your proposed research (significance for the further development of the subject area, convincing selection of scientific methods, potential for scientific development, clear focus and feasibility within the requested sponsorship period, viability at the host institute)
• your future potential (academic potential, personal development, career prospects, e.g. professorial appointment)
• your independent research profile (for experienced researchers)

All the best for your application!

• Members of the Selection Committee

Questions & answers

Application requirements, i have worked in an english-speaking country for several years. do i need an english language certificate.

No, an English language certificate is not required.

It is either not customary or not possible to take a doctorate in my country of origin. Can I apply?

You can apply if you can prove that your academic performance is equivalent to a Ph.D., e.g. by academic publications in internationally reviewed journals and for publishing houses. Should this be the case, you may apply to the programme for experienced researchers, however, only until up to 16 years after you obtained your first university degree (Master's degree, Diploma, etc.). It is, furthermore, possible to apply to the programme for experienced researchers if you hold an academic position that is equivalent to or higher than Associate Professor / Senior Lecturer / Reader etc., regardless of the date of your first university degree, within the first twelve years of working in this position. Please send us your CV and a list of your publications before you apply so we can advise you ( info[at]avh.de ).

Can I apply before I have completed my doctorate?

You may apply if you will complete your doctorate within the next six months. If selected, you must complete your doctorate before commencing the research fellowship. Please note that your application will be rejected for formal reasons if your dissertation has not been published and you do not have any further academic publications at the time of application.

What determines the date of a doctorate?

The relevant date is that of completing the final academic part of the doctoral process (e.g., defence of thesis, doctoral viva). This date will usually be included on your doctoral certificate alongside the date of issue. The key date for calculating the period following your doctorate is the date on which your application is received by the Humboldt Foundation.

Which date is valid if I have several doctorates?

In the case of multiple doctorates, the effective date is that of the first doctoral degree (PhD/CSc.).

My doctorate was completed more than four years ago. Can I apply for a fellowship for postdoctoral researchers?

We cannot consider your application for a fellowship for postdoctoral researchers if your doctorate was completed more than four years ago. In case you already have a clearly recognisable own research profile and, as a rule, working at the level of at least assistant professor or junior research group leader, or have a record of several years of independent scientific work, you can apply for a fellowship for experienced researchers. If you have passed the deadline, an exception may be made in well-founded cases (e.g. recognition of parental leave). Please send us your CV and a list of your publications before you apply so we can advise you ( info[at]avh.de ).

I obtained my doctorate more than twelve years ago. Can I still apply for a fellowship for experienced researchers?

We cannot consider your application if you obtained your doctorate more than twelve years ago. If your doctorate is older than this, an exception may be made in well-founded cases (e.g. recognition of parental leave). Please send us your CV and a list of your publications before you apply so we can advise you ( info[at]avh.de ).

My doctorate was completed less than four years ago. Can I apply for a fellowship for experienced researchers?

Yes. You should, however, already have your own clearly recognisable research profile and, as a rule, be working at the level of at least assistant professor or junior research group leader, or have a record of several years of independent scientific work.

How will child-rearing periods be considered in the application process?

Periods in which you interrupted your academic activities after completing your doctorate in order to rear children may be taken into account as career breaks after examination. The proportionate offsetting of such periods is also possible. Please always indicate child-rearing periods when filling in our application form. Mothers can claim two extra years for each child born after their PhD plus any further verifiable parenting periods. Fathers and other persons responsible for raising children are only credited with verifiable parenting periods. In general, postdoctoral researchers may apply up to four years, and experienced researchers up to twelve years after completing their doctorates. Recognized child-rearing periods may correspondingly extend these maximum timeframes during which the submission of applications is possible. The extension is limited to 6 years. Please contact  info[at]avh.de  if you have any questions.

Which other career breaks are considered in the application process?

Periods in which you interrupted your academic activities after completing your doctorate in order to perform military or alternative service, to care for close relatives, due to long-term illness, or, for example, to care for children or due to the closure of institutes during a lockdown imposed to control an epidemic may be taken into account as career breaks after examination. The proportionate offsetting of such career breaks is also possible. Please always indicate career breaks when filling in our application form. Job hunting, unemployment and non-academic employment do not count as career breaks. In general, postdoctoral researchers may apply up to four years, and experienced researchers up to twelve years after completing their doctorates. Recognized career breaks may correspondingly extend these maximum timeframes during which the submission of applications is possible. The extension is limited to 6 years. Please contact  info[at]avh.de  if you have any questions.

Are child-rearing periods taken into account in the assessment of academic achievements?

Yes, because the assessment of academic achievements is always made on an individual basis at the Humboldt Foundation. Therefore, when filling in the application form, please specify all periods in which you partially or completely interrupted your academic activities after finishing your doctorate in order to rear children. The voluntary disclosure of private circumstances may help increase equal opportunities during the selection process. The consideration of your personal circumstances allows for a fairer assessment of your academic achievements. Please contact  info[at]avh.de  if you have any questions.

Are other career breaks taken into account in the assessment of academic achievements?

Yes, because the assessment of academic achievements is always made on an individual basis at the Humboldt Foundation. Therefore, when filling in the application form, please specify all periods in which you partially or completely interrupted your academic activities after finishing your doctorate in order to perform military or alternative service, to care for close relatives, due to long-term illness, or, for example, to care for children or due to the closure of institutes during a lockdown imposed to control an epidemic.

Job hunting, unemployment and non-academic employment do not count as career breaks.

The voluntary disclosure of private circumstances may help increase equal opportunities during the selection process. The consideration of your personal circumstances allows for a fairer assessment of your academic achievements. Please contact  info[at]avh.de  if you have any questions.

I am from a developing/transition country. Should I apply for a Humboldt or Georg Forster Research Fellowship?

If your primary life focus (nationality and permanent residence) is in a developing or transition country (see list of countries ) and your research is of relevance for that country’s (or region’s) further development (see examples below), we recommend that you apply for a George Forster Research Fellowship. A persuasive presentation of your work’s relevance for development in your region is one of the key criteria used when your application is evaluated. For projects that would be classified as basic research, we recommend applying for a Humboldt Research Fellowship.

Examples of applications with relevance to development:

Example 1: Food security among children in Nigeria

Foodstuffs that are contaminated with mycotoxins, the toxic metabolic substances produced by fungi, present a challenge for the people of Nigeria. As part of a Georg Forster Research Fellowship, one Humboldtian examined with the help of biomonitoring the degree to which Nigerian children and adolescents are exposed to mycotoxins in foodstuffs. In this way she is striving to improve the food safety of the Nigerian people.

Example 2: Climate change and stressed plants

Plants emit a number of volatile organic compounds in response to heat and drought stress. During her guest visit in Germany, a Latin American Humboldtian studied the impact these emissions have on air quality and changes in the climate. Her findings were used to develop sustainable adaptation and mitigation strategies tailored to the region she comes from. These findings offer political stakeholders a scientifically proven basis for making decisions.

Example 3: Improved tax enforcement through international co-operation

Audits are a tried and tested tool in the fight against tax evasion. In the case of transnational audits, joint tax audits can be conducted by international teams. During her Georg Forster research stay in Germany, one Humboldtian examined the advantages of joint tax audits with the aim of formulating recommendations for action to develop and improve international tax law. By doing so, the Moldavian hopes to make a contribution to her country’s integration into international tax law structures.

Example 4: Water reservoirs

Siltation of water reservoirs is a major problem for Iran’s water supply. One Iranian Humboldtian dedicated his stay in Germany to working on methods to reduce sedimentation in water bodies which he can now transfer to his country of origin thanks to his existing contacts and good local connections.

Example 5:  Resource use

A Burmese Humboldtian focused on the extraction of mineral resources in Myanmar. Thanks to his Georg Forster Fellowship he was able to expand his raw materials expertise as one of the only few excellent Burmese economic geologists. He is now making valuable contributions to the geoscience community in his country of origin and is advancing sustainable resource development and use there.

The following examples were not accepted by the Georg Forster Fellowship Programme because they have little relevance to development:

Example 1: Researching neurodegenerative diseases

Worldwide neurodegenerative diseases pose an enormous problem for people suffering from them. Studying and designing possible treatment methods for such diseases requires costly equipment. One applicant planned to increase his knowledge of this type of technology and how to use it. It was not, however, apparent from his application how the skills he aimed to acquire in Germany could be put to practical use without having corresponding infrastructure in his native country.

Example 2: Further development of cosmological models

One applicant sought to further develop cosmological models (theoretical physics) with her research project. She convincingly demonstrated that the project would offer added value for the further development of her field. However, the review of her application did not identify any relevance for the social, economic and/or political development of her native country / region.

Do I need to know German in order to apply?

• Natural scientists and engineers: good knowledge of German or English is sufficient.
• Scholars in the humanities and social sciences: should have knowledge of German if it is necessary to carry out their research successfully. In this case, a German language certificate confirming proficiency must be submitted. Otherwise, a good knowledge of English is sufficient.
• Physicians: if the research involves work with patients, the candidate must have a good knowledge of German (language certificate required). Otherwise, a good knowledge of English is sufficient.

English or German is my native language. Do I have to submit a language certificate proving my proficiency?

No, a language certificate is not required.

I'm a physician (MD / Dr. med.). Are there any special admission requirements?

You are eligible to apply if you hold a research doctorate or a comparable academic degree. In addition, please read our Admission Questionnaire for Physicians (MD / Dr. med.) for detailed information. If you have several research doctorates, the above mentioned FAQ on the subject of "several doctorates" applies.

Which (virtual) mobility rules apply with regard to Germany?

The aim of the programme is to enable highly qualified academics from abroad to come to Germany to conduct a research stay here. Applicants should therefore be living and/or working outside Germany at the time of application. Eligible applicants must have lived outside Germany for a minimum of 12 months in total in the 18-month period prior to submission of the application. Any time spent in Germany within those 18 months is taken in to account, regardless of duration or reason.

Any person who, regardless of their country of residence, has supported themselves for more than six out of the last 18 months with financing from a German institution or who has worked on a doctoral project at an institution in Germany in the last 18 months is not eligible to apply. If you have arrived in Germany recently you should submit your application as soon as possible, as we can only assess your eligibility and formally accept your application after it has been submitted. German citizens and/or educational residents* (see following FAQ) are generally ineligible to apply if they have been in Germany within the last 18 months prior to receipt of their application or are already in Germany at the time of applying.

If in doubt, please contact us before submitting your application so we can advise you ( info[at]avh.de ). * Educational residents are individuals who have completed their school education and a university degree, or a university degree and their doctorate in Germany.

Can I apply from abroad as a German citizen/educational resident?

The aim of the programme is to enable highly qualified academics from abroad to come to Germany to conduct a research stay here. German citizens/educational residents* are thus not the target group of this funding programme. You are however eligible to apply if you are permanently working abroad and intend to return abroad immediately following the requested research stay.

We consider you to be permanently established in a foreign country if you have unquestionably been living and working abroad

• for more than 10 years;
• for more than 5 years and meet one of the following criteria that unequivocally indicate strong ties to your current country of residence:
• a permanent/tenured position;
• additional citizenship of your country of residence;
• permanent permission to reside in your current country of residence (e.g. permanent residence permit, green card etc.). Permission to reside based solely on your citizenship (e.g. for EU citizens as part of EU freedom of movement) is not accepted;
• other indications that you intend to permanently return to your current country of residence

German citizens and/or educational residents* are generally ineligible to apply if they have been in Germany within the last 18 months prior to receipt of their application or are already in Germany at the time of applying. If you intend to apply in order to prepare your permanent return to Germany, we recommend that you instead apply to the “Temporary Positions” programme of the DFG. If in doubt, we would ask to send us only your complete CV and a list of your publications, so that we can advise you. Please state which criterion applies to you ( info[at]avh.de ). * Educational residents are individuals who have completed their school education and a university degree, or a university degree and their doctorate in Germany.

Academic host

Who can be my academic host.

Any researcher working at a university or research institution in Germany who offers to make research facilities available for the research stay may act as your host. If you have already worked in Germany for a longer period of time (12 months or more) you should look for a new academic environment for another guest stay in Germany. Applications that involve returning to the supervisor of the doctoral thesis or to the mentor of a longer postdoctoral stay are generally rejected by the Selection Committee on the basis of a lack of further independent academic development.

Individuals with whom you are in a close personal (marriage or civil partnership) or familial (parents, siblings, children) relationship cannot be selected as hosts.

How can I find an academic host?

You are free to choose your own academic host. The Humboldt Foundation does not provide any direct support in finding a host.

We would like to draw your attention to the following search engines for hosts and research institutes:

• Institutes at German universities and other research institutions Searchable Portal (GERiT) of the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
• Research facilities, disciplines and research in Germany (only in German) Research portal of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
• Research Map Hochschulrektorenkonferenz (HRK)
• Research facilities, researchers and projects of the DFG in Germany and worldwide GEPRIS - Database of the German Research Foundation
• Research facilities, disciplines and researchers in Germany and worldwide World of Learning
• KISSWIN Communication and information platform on career paths and funding opportunities for junior academics

We would also like to draw your attention to the open access part of the Network Online . This database features a large proportion of the Foundation's more than 25,000 academics sponsored worldwide. Here you can search for names, disciplines and keywords.

Can I conduct my research with two academic hosts?

Yes. If the hosts work at different research institutes, they must each provide a host's statement and confirmation that research facilities can be made available.

Will my host institute receive any additional funds for the costs it incurs in connection with my research stay?

In general the host institute will receive an allowance for research costs of €800 per month for research in the field of natural sciences and engineering, and €500 for research in the field of humanities or social sciences.

Please see the respective FAQ of the Department Sponsorship and Network.

Preparation/Planning

Are there deadlines for submitting applications.

There is no closing date for submitting applications. Applications are processed as part of an ongoing procedure. As soon as we have received your complete application we shall forward it to independent peer reviewers. Their written evaluations will then be presented to the selection committee at the next selection meeting at which a decision will be made.

Please note that you can submit your application only after your host and your expert reviewers have uploaded all necessary documents. The date used to determine whether the applicant meets certain formal requirements, such as career stage limitations and stays in Germany, is the date on which the Humboldt Foundation receives the respective application.

Selection committee meetings take place three times a year, in March, July and November. Applications should be submitted at least four to seven months ahead of the prospective selection meeting. A graphic display of the complete application process can be found above on this page.

Can I apply to several Humboldt Foundation fellowship programmes at the same time, or can I apply for a Humboldt Fellowship and the Sofja Kovalevskaja Award at the same time if I fulfil the formal requirements?

No, it is not possible to apply to several fellowship programmes or the Sofja Kovalevskaja Award programme concurrently. Should you be rejected by any of them, you may, however, apply to any other programme as long as you fulfil the formal requirements.

Can I apply for a fellowship from another institution at the same time I submit my application to the Humboldt Foundation?

On principle, it is possible to file parallel applications. You must, however, indicate this on the application form and inform us immediately of any other applications you submit and any other sponsorship decisions that occur while we are considering your application.

Can I do part of my research work abroad?

If it is necessary for the success of the project, fellows may conduct research at research institutions in other parts of Europe during the fellowship period (excepting their country of origin). As a rule, the total length of your Europe Research Stay may not exceed 25 per cent of the projected total duration of sponsorship. Furthermore, if the fellowship is divided up into several stays (experienced researchers), the duration of the Europe Research Stay may on principle not exceed half the duration of the respective fellowship period. Plans for research stays may already be included in your research proposal when you apply, but you cannot submit an application for a stay before you have been awarded the fellowship. The fellowship does not cover research stays in the fellow’s country of origin or another non-European country; as a rule, the fellowship must be interrupted for this period or the stay abroad must be realised before the fellowship begins.

Can I apply for a research fellowship for a period of less than six months?

The first research stay in the context of a postdoctoral fellowship must last at least six months. Experienced researchers must also apply for a stay of at least six months, which can, however, be divided up into two blocks of three months.

Do I have to divide up my research stays strictly according to the model specified by the programme?

Yes. It is not possible to deviate from the standard model.

I am a postdoctoral researcher. Can I divide up my research stay?

It is not possible to break up the research stay.

When do I have to start the fellowship period at the latest?

You must start the fellowship period within twelve months of being selected. Otherwise you will have to submit a new application.

What is the value of the fellowship?

Please refer to our current  programme information for postdoctoral  and  experienced researchers  for details.

Will you pay the fellowship retroactively if I am already at the host institute at the time of being selected?

No, the fellowship cannot be paid retroactively.

Is the intensive German language course part of my research fellowship?

A two- to four-month language course takes place immediately prior to the start of the research fellowship. The language fellowship is not part of the research fellowship. (In other words, if you apply for a two-month language course in connection with a 12-month research stay in Germany, your stay will last a total of 14 months.)

When can I attend a language course?

The intensive German language course can only be taken immediately prior to the start of the research fellowship. If this is not possible, you may apply for funds to attend evening classes during the research fellowship.

Do I have to take a language course?

There is no obligation to take a language course. However, the Humboldt Foundation strongly encourages all its fellows and their partners to learn German during their research stay so that they can fully participate in social and cultural life in Germany.

Who bears the travel expenses to and from Germany?

If the fellow's own institution does not cover travel expenses, the Humboldt Foundation will pay a single lump sum for return travel. The Humboldt Foundation will only pay travel expenses for family members in exceptional circumstances.

Can I bring my family?

The Humboldt Foundation welcomes the idea that fellows' partners and children should accompany them and encourages this by paying family allowances in addition to the fellowship, provided that the family members accompany the fellow for more than three months.

How soon can I begin the fellowship period?

There are three Selection Committee Meetings each year: in March, July and November. If you are coming from abroad, the earliest you may begin the fellowship period is usually two months (three months if you need a visa) after your application has been approved by the Selection Committee. If you are already in Germany, you can start at the beginning of the following month at the earliest.

Application documents

Should my expert reviews be sent directly to the humboldt foundation or enclosed with the application.

Your host(s) and expert reviewer(s) upload the required documents in a secure area themselves, adding them to your application form. You can find the links to this area in the application form. Please send these links on a timely basis to your designated scientists/academics. Once all the documents have been uploaded, you will automatically be notified by email and will then be able to submit your application. You are responsible for ensuring that your documents are complete. Expert reviews should not be more than 12 months old at the time of application.

Who should provide expert reviews for my application and how many expert reviews are required?

The expert review should assess your development as a researcher, your potential, and your academic accomplishments to date. It is, therefore, important that expert reviewers are well acquainted with your academic work to date. You must submit two expert reviews. Postdocs must submit expert reviews from their doctoral supervisor and one other academic, preferably from outside their own institute. Experienced researchers must submit expert reviews from important collaborative partners and/or academics from their own institute and further institutes, if possible, from abroad. Please note: The host's statement does not count as an expert review! You are responsible for requesting all expert reviews and the host’s statement.

Which publications should I enclose with my application?

Your application must contain up to five key publications (postdocs: one to three; experienced researchers: three to five). Other publications will not be accepted (exception: You may optionally submit published reviews of your key publications by other authors). If you wish to cite your dissertation or habilitation as a key publication but have not yet submitted it for printing, please upload the original manuscript of your doctoral or habilitation thesis.

Before uploading, please check the accuracy of the information provided in your publication lists (complete list, list of key publications), in particular with regard to the order and completeness of the information on the authors, the titles of the publications and the publication venues. Inaccurate information could lead to the rejection of your application on formal grounds.

May I include works that have not yet been submitted for publication in the list of key publications and the complete list of publications?

No. Please only cite publications that are already in print, have been accepted for publication or have at least been submitted to a publishing house. Please cite submitted publications without naming the journal or publishing house on your publication list. In the latter case you must include the acknowledgement of receipt from the publisher; in the case of publications that have been accepted, please include the letter of acceptance from the publisher. Any other works cited on the list will be deleted. Exception: Your dissertation or habilitation may be cited as a key publication even if you have not yet submitted it to a publisher. If you wish to cite your dissertation or habilitation as a key publication but have not yet submitted it for printing, please upload the original manuscript of your doctoral or habilitation thesis.

I have not yet completed my doctorate. Do I have to hand in my doctoral certificate later?

Yes. As soon as you complete your doctorate, we need at least official confirmation from your university. You will not be able to start the fellowship without this confirmation.

What are key publications?

You yourself should choose the key publications from your publications. You should choose works which present your most important academic results. In cases of multiple authorship you should select those to which you have made a major contribution. When choosing key publications we recommend including works that reflect your more recent publication activity. Please note that you cannot amend your selection of key publications once the selection process has begun.

How many key publications should I cite?

If you are applying for a fellowship for postdoctoral researchers, one key publication is sufficient. You may cite a maximum of three. If you are applying for a fellowship for experienced researchers you must choose at least three key publications. You may cite a maximum of five. Surplus key publications will be removed from the list without notifying the applicant.

How should I explain why I have chosen a key publication?

Please address the particular academic relevance of the results contained in the key publication and briefly explain the significance of the publication for your academic profile (cf. Sample key publications , PDF). In cases of multiple authorship please also indicate your own personal contribution to the publication.

Should my key publications also be cited in the complete list of publications?

Yes. Please cite all your publications in the complete list of publications, including your key publications. An unpublished dissertation or habilitation, however, may not be listed in the complete list of publications. In this list the key publications should be cited without explanations (cf. Sample publication list ). Please note that the order of the authors on the publication list corresponds to the order of the authors on the submitted publication. Changing the order is against the Rules of Good Scientific Practice and may result in penalties (cf. Rules of Good Scientific Practice ). Please note that it is not possible to amend the list of publications submitted to the Humboldt Foundation once the selection process has begun.

Selection procedure

Will you confirm receipt of my application, as well as other documents, expert reviews and the host's statement.

As soon as we receive your application, we will notify you by email.

How much time do I have to submit further documents or update my application?

Your application will be checked upon receipt to ensure that it is complete and meets the formal requirements for eligibility. We shall only be able to inform you about the expected decision date when we have received all the required documents. Once the review process by independent reviewers has been initiated, it is not possible to submit or exchange any documentation. If any papers or books that have only been submitted for publication at the time of application should subsequently be accepted, you should send us a copy of the acceptance letter immediately by email. This information can be fed into the process prior to the selection meeting. It is not possible to add to the publication list once the procedure has started.

Will I be notified of the date the Selection Committee will decide on my application?

When all the documents have been received we shall notify you about the proposed date of the selection meeting. Should the peer review process of your application take longer than expected you will also be informed if it becomes unavoidable to postpone the date of the decision.

Who will review my application?

Your application will be reviewed by independent peer reviewers.

Who will decide on my application?

The final decision on all applications is made by the Selection Committee. The Selection Committee consists of researchers of all disciplines who decide on all applications by majority vote. The Humboldt Foundation has no vote on the Selection Committee.

Will I be notified of the reasons for a rejection?

If your application is not approved, you may send an informal email requesting feedback to be sent to you and your host on the reasons for the rejection. This will usually follow approximately four to six weeks after the selection committee meeting. Please note that we cannot provide any personalised information before this juncture so as not to delay the notification process.

When will I be informed about the decision?

We shall notify you and your academic host about the decision by email in the days immediately following the selection meeting. At larger selection meetings it may take a few days longer to contact all the applicants and academic hosts.

How high is the success rate?

What are the most important selection criteria.

The essential aspect of the application is the individual applicant's academic qualification. Please refer to the relevant programme information for more details on the selection criteria.

Can I re-apply after being rejected?

It is possible to re-apply. The new application should, however, differ significantly from the original, rejected application. Generally, it makes sense to re-apply after developing one's academic profile, e.g. after academical publications have been accepted by internationally reviewed journals and publishing houses. Our experience shows that applicants should wait about two years before re-applying. Submitting a new application that differs little or not at all from the rejected original may result in a formal rejection of the new application. In the case of unanimously rejected applications, a new application will be accepted only after 18 months.

What issues frequently result in applications being rejected?

Insufficient publication record : In particular, applicants who apply upon completion of their doctoral thesis should ensure that the key findings of the doctoral thesis (key publications) are already published or have been accepted for publication. In case of doubt, it is a good idea to wait for several months before submitting the application until evidence can be provided that the key publications have been accepted. Lack of academic development : The chosen research project should not be a direct continuation of the doctoral thesis or of the academic work carried out to date. Returning to the same academic environment, e.g. returning to the supervisor of the doctoral thesis or the mentor of longer postdoctoral research (more than 12 months), or returning to a host institute where a longer research stay has already taken place, generally results in the rejection of applications on the basis of a lack of further independent academic development. Lack of originality : In the qualitative assessment of the key publications and of the research outline, the independent peer reviewers focus in particular on the originality of the work and the associated impetus for further development in this research area. If these aspects are not immediately apparent, if the research concerns more routine work or if the aims of the planned research and its significance for the continued development of the subject area are not clearly presented, applications are generally rejected. Lack of personal academic profile, academic establishment : In the experienced academics’ programme segment, the personal academic profile is of major importance for the assessment of applications by the independent peer reviewers and committee members. Therefore, applications are frequently rejected if

• no or insufficient publications are available in sole authorship or as a corresponding author;
• the applicants’ topics are too narrowly focused;
• no clear continued academic development is apparent;
• the research project is not clearly aligned with the research interests of the applicant;
• after several postdoctoral positions, another "traditional" postdoctoral position is applied for without the applicant becoming independently established academically in the meantime.

For experienced academics whose doctorate was completed more than eight years ago, rejection often results if a position as an independent academic (assistant professor, lecturer, junior research group leader, etc.) has still not been obtained, or if the prospect of a professorial appointment upon completion of the proposed stay is not apparent from the documentation submitted, especially the publication profile.

This programme is financed by

Collaborative programmes

On this research fellowship programme, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation cooperates with various private partners. Together, we aim to recruit highly qualified researchers for a research stay in Germany. The application, selection and sponsorship processes in programmes that involve private collaborative partners are conducted in accordance with the established procedure and guidelines of the Humboldt Research Fellowship Programme. In many cases, the privately co-financed fellowships include additional offers, such as visits to the collaborative partners, invitations to events or facilitating contacts. 

If you are interested in such fellowships, please sign the corresponding declaration of consent in the application form. You will be informed as to whether the Humboldt Foundation has been able to admit you to one of the collaborative programmes in the award letter.

Collaborative partners:

• Bayer Foundation
• Carl Friedrich von Siemens Foundation

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How to Apply for a PhD in Germany: Programs, Funding, & FAQs

Germany is an excellent destination for both young and experienced researchers. 

The European country is third behind the U.S. and China for research & development expenditure . Plus, it is home to some of the most prestigious (and affordable!) research universities in the world.

If you’re considering doing a PhD in Germany, you will need to follow these steps:

The main steps to doing a PhD in Germany:

• Find a PhD Program and a Supervisor
• Decide Between Individual and Structured PhD Programs
• Meet All Requirements & Prepare Your Application
• Apply for Doctoral Studies
• Secure Funding
• Get a Student Visa or Resident Permit
• Arrive in Germany and Begin Your PhD Program

Why Pursue a PhD in Germany?

If you’re not yet sure if you should choose Germany for your PhD studies, here are some compelling reasons why you should consider it:

• Top-tier universities. Four German universities are ranked in the top 100 global universities, and many more are in the top 200.
• Large international student community. Germany welcomes a diverse and thriving international student community. Over 458,210 international students are currently studying in the country.
• Quality research institutions. There are over a thousand publicly funded research institutions (universities, universities of applied sciences, research institutes, businesses, and government bodies) that you can choose from in Germany.
• High investment in research and development. Germany’s public expenditure in the research and development sector reached a record high of 112.6 billion euros in 2021.
• Strong economy. Germany is known for its strong and stable economy. After completing your PhD, there are plenty of employment opportunities in the academic, business, and research sectors.

How to Apply for a PhD in Germany

From finding the perfect program for you to submitting your application and starting your PhD, here are all the steps you need to take:

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1. Find a PhD Program and a Supervisor

After all the years of studying leading up to this step, you most likely have a few areas of interest you want to do your research in.

This is the first important step: define your research focus by considering your interests and academic background. If you need more help, you can consult online resources from research universities. Or, even better, you can discuss your decision to pursue a PhD with academic communities online or offline and seek advice from current PhD students in Germany who can tell you more about their individual experiences.

If you already know what your research direction is, you can begin searching for suitable programs right ahead. 

• The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has an extensive list of current opportunities, which you can look up at the  DAAD PhD Database . 
• Another option is to research universities in Germany individually to find the newest opportunities and offerings at each institution.

You will also have to find a supervisor. The best way to do this is to go to university websites and find faculty directories with profiles of professors and their research fields/current projects. Contact professors whose work aligns with your interests via email to inquire about supervision opportunities.

> Search PhD programs from 31,000 research institutions listed on the GERiT database .

Types of PhD Programs in Germany

There are two different paths you can take when pursuing a PhD: individual PhD programs and structured PhD programs. Each comes with its own set of advantages and requirements.

2. Verify That You Meet All Requirements & Prepare the Application

Requirements and application documents to apply for a PhD in Germany are specific to the institution and research area you’re applying to. But, as a general guideline, you should prepare the following:

• Academic degree recognized in Germany. You need a master’s degree or a German state examination (Staatsexamen) in a field relevant to the PhD program to qualify.
• Copy of master’s thesis. Submit a copy of your master’s thesis. The work should demonstrate your research skills and the depth of your academic work.
• Research proposal. Craft a clear and detailed research proposal that includes your intended research topic, objectives, methodology, and significance. 
• Statement of purpose. Write a statement of purpose why you want to do a PhD in your chosen field, your academic and career goals, and how this program aligns with them.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV). Prepare a detailed CV highlighting your academic achievements, research experience, relevant coursework, publications, and any other qualifications.
• Proof of language proficiency. Depending on the language of instruction, you may have to provide proof of language proficiency in English and/or German. You can do this with certificates like TestDaF and DSH for German or TOEFL and IELTS for English. Proof of previous studies in the language is also sufficient.
• Academic references. Provide contact information or recommendation letters from professors/ academic advisors who can attest to your academic abilities and potential.
• Predoctoral examination. Some programs ask that you pass a predoctoral examination as part of the application process.

3. Apply for Doctoral Studies

After finding a suitable PhD program and mentor, and making sure your academic qualifications are recognized, you can send in your application.

You can send in your application online or by post, depending on the hosting institution’s preferences. To make sure, check their guidelines and specifications. Admission committees are selective, so you may also have to attend an interview soon in the application process.

4. Secure Funding

You must demonstrate access to a minimum of €934 per month (€11,208 per year) to meet visa requirements and live comfortably while you’re in Germany. You can prove this through an admission agreement or relevant PhD contract, or you can open a blocked account with individual funds.

There are many ways to support yourself financially while pursuing a PhD in Germany:

• PhD scholarships. DAAD offers the highest number of doctoral scholarships. PhD students get an average monthly stipend of €1,139. 
• Paid PhD positions. Many universities and research institutions offer paid PhD positions in Germany. You will work on specific research projects on a contract and receive a salary.
• Research associate positions. You can also work as a research associate in a university, research institution, or company and receive a salary as compensation.
• Part-time jobs. Some PhD students/researchers work part-time jobs that are not related to their studies for extra income.

> Read more about the costs of studying in Germany.

> Discover PhD scholarships in Germany.

5. Get a Student Visa or Resident Permit

If the institution confirms your place in the PhD program, next in line is applying for a student visa or residence permit. The requirements for a German PhD visa or permit can vary depending on your nationality and circumstances: 

Visa Requirements

If you’re a citizen of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, you don’t need a special permit or visa for a PhD in Germany. You can enter the country for research and work purposes with a valid passport or ID card.

Otherwise, you will need a visa and/or a residence permit to do your PhD in Germany. Nationals of some countries, including the United States, Australia, Israel, Japan, and Korea, don’t need a visa but must apply for a residence permit.

Depending on the circumstances, you need one of the following visas:

• Study visa. If you’re pursuing a full-time doctoral program.
• Research visa. If your focus is on research and you have a formal affiliation with a research institution in Germany.
• EU Blue Card. If your PhD contract pays a gross annual salary of at least €45,300 (or €41,041.80 in certain professions), you can apply for an EU Blue Card . This is a special residence title for international academics and other professionals.

Residence Permit Requirements

If you come to Germany on a visa, you will need to apply for a residence permit within three months of arrival. This also applies to nationals of countries outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland who are exempt from the visa requirement.

You can apply for one of the following residence permits:

• Study permit. If you’re accepted into a PhD program at a German university, apply for a study-based residence permit. It lasts up to two years, extendable.
• Research permit. If you’re a researcher with the right qualifications for doctoral programs, apply for a research permit. This requires a contract with a research institution for your project.
• EU Blue Card. With a PhD offer that has a minimum salary of €45,300 per year, or €41,041.80 for some bottleneck professions , you may be eligible for the EU Blue Card. Apply for this permit if you meet the criteria.

> For more specific information tailored to your situation, we recommend contacting the German embassy or consulate in your home country. You can also use this visa navigator.

6. Arrive in Germany and Begin Your PhD Program

The most exciting step of all is near—time to unpack your bags and begin your life as a PhD student or researcher in Germany. Once you’re settled in, there are some formalities you need to take care of.

The international office at the university or another representative can guide you best on this. However, here are some of the main things you need to do once you arrive in Germany:

Register Your Residence

Shortly after your arrival, you must register your residence at the local registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt). This is mandatory, and you typically have a window of two weeks to complete this process. 

Get Health Insurance

Everyone in Germany is required by law to have health insurance coverage. This includes international PhD students. Depending on the source of your funding, you are eligible for one of the following health insurance coverages: 

• Doctoral candidates with an employment contract are automatically insured with a state-regulated health insurance provider (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung-GKV) in most cases.
• Doctoral candidates without an employment contract (with a fellowship or private funding) can choose between:
• Voluntary health insurance coverage with a state-regulated provider.
• Coverage with a private health insurance company.

There are some exceptions in which you can use your insurance from your home country. These apply to students from a European Union (EU) country or other countries with social security agreements with Germany.

Open a Bank Account 

You should open a German bank account as soon as possible. Most financial transactions in Germany, including receiving your stipend or salary, are done through a German bank account.

Enroll at the University

If your PhD program is part of a university degree, you need to enroll as a student at the university. Follow your university’s instructions to submit the necessary documents to the enrollment office. These usually include your admission letter, passport, proof of health insurance, and semester fee.

After you complete this process, you will receive an Enrollment Certificate (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung). This is a very important document that you most likely need in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There’s a lot of planning involved if you’re considering doing a PhD, especially if it’s in a foreign country. We’re sure you’ve got more questions, and we’re here to help.

How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Germany?

A PhD in Germany usually takes between three to six years to complete. Just like in other countries, it can take longer or shorter than expected, depending on several factors. The type of PhD you choose (structured programs can be more rigid), your subject area, and individual progress can all make a difference in the time it takes to get a PhD in Germany.

Are PhD Programs in Germany Tuition-Free?

The majority of PhD programs in Germany are tuition-free, at least for the first six semesters. However, if need to enroll at a university for your PhD, there is a small semester fee you need to cover. The fee can be higher or lower depending on the university, but it usually falls within the range of €100 to €350.

Is German Mandatory to Pursue a PhD in Germany?

You don’t necessarily have to know German to do a PhD in Germany. In fact, most PhD programs in Germany are in English, especially in fields such as science, engineering, and humanities. In these programs, you can both write your thesis and communicate with your advisor and peers in English.

There is of course the chance that the program you’ve chosen is in German or requires knowledge of German (in most cases, in addition to English). In this case, you have to prove your proficiency through a recognized language certificate or proof of previous studies in German.

Even if German isn’t mandatory, we strongly encourage you to learn the basics. They will be super helpful in daily interactions and getting accustomed to life in Germany.

How Much Does a PhD Student Earn in Germany?

Most PhD candidates in Germany receive financial support in the form of a salary or grant. This includes candidates affiliated with universities, research institutes, or company collaborations.

The majority of doctoral positions are structured under either the Collective Agreement for Civil Service TVöD (Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst or the Collective Agreement for the Civil Service of Individual Federal States TV-L (Tarifvertrag der Länder). Since universities are funded by their respective federal government, if your PhD is affiliated with one, your salary will be structured under the TV-L.

Doctoral positions fall within the TV-L 13 category, with a salary range spanning from €4,188 (Tier 1) to €6,037 (Tier 6). The difference between the tiers (Stufe) depends on prior experience in the field. If you don’t have any research experience, you will fall under Tier 1 and progress to the other tiers throughout your PhD.

Your salary will ultimately be determined based on a wage agreement that specifies the contract tier (Stufe) and working hours (percentage-based). Many entry-level PhD students start with tier 1 contracts that are not full-time. For example, if your contract places you in Pay Group E-13 Tier 1 of the TV-L and you work at 75% capacity, your monthly gross salary will be €3,141.

> Learn more about pay ranges for PhD students using this convenient calculator .

Can I Work While Pursuing a PhD in Germany?

Part-time work is an option in most cases unless it’s strictly stated otherwise in your contract. Whether or not you are allowed to work on the side as a PhD in Germany depends on the working hours stated in your PhD contract, supervisor, and other specific circumstances. 

However, since the PhD is considered a job in itself, it’s usually frowned upon to have a side hustle. Even if you have a 50% contract, a PhD is demanding and requires long hours of work and research. If you choose to work on the side, make sure to find the right balance between work and your PhD commitments. To be on the safe side, it’s best to talk to your supervisor and go over all the legal and contractual obligations related to your PhD.

What Is the Process for Defending a PhD Thesis in Germany?

Here are the main steps to defending your PhD thesis in Germany:

• Submit your thesis. The first step is submitting submit your thesis and supporting documents in adherence to all the formal requirements. A commission will be formed, and in some cases, you can suggest reviewers.
• Oral defense. The next step is preparing and undergoing an oral defense, which can take between 30 minutes to 2 hours. During this time, you will present your research and discuss it with the committee. The defense can be either public or private.
• Receive the title and publish your work. The outcome of the discussion determines your final grade, to be received after the defense. If everything goes well, you’re granted the Ph.D. title and have about two years to publish your dissertation.

What Are the Career Prospects Like After Doing a PhD in Germany?

Career prospects after a PhD in Germany are quite promising. 

The most common paths for PhD holders in Germany are either in academia as professors or post-doctorate researchers or in industry positions. 

Technology, healthcare, and finance, in particular, are some of the most in-demand industries in Germany. The country’s strong economy and research-oriented environment make it an attractive place to develop your career.

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Early career researchers and postdocs

Here you will find a  selection of funding programmes  for international postdocs and early career researchers run by various funding organisations. For more funding opportunities please search  our funding databases .

Bilateral Exchange of Academics

The programme supports research and study visits of up to three months within the framework of the bilateral exchange of scientists and scholars.

DLR-DAAD Research Fellowships

Outstanding scientists and researchers can conduct special research at an institute of the German Aerospace Center (DLR).

Emmy Noether Programme

Outstanding early career researchers can rapidly qualify for leading positions in science and research or for a university teaching career by heading an independent junior research group and assuming relevant teaching duties.

ERA Fellowships – Green Hydrogen

This programme provides funding for a research project or continuing academic training in the field of GH2.

ERC Consolidator Grants

Postdoctoral researchers of any nationality can strengthen their research independence by consolidating their own research team at a host research institution in Germany.

ERC Starting Grants

International postdoctoral researchers with 2 to 7 years of research experience can strengthen their research independence by establishing their own research team.

ERC Synergy Grants

The ERC Synergy Grants target excellent emerging scientists at the start of their career as well as established researchers with outstanding scientific track records.

Fraunhofer Attract

International specialists in application-oriented research can set up a new research group at a Fraunhofer institute to develop their ideas into actual innovations.

Georg Forster Research Fellowship

Early career and experienced researchers with above-average qualifications from developing and transition countries can carry out a research project in cooperation with an academic host of their choice in Germany.

Green Talents

The winners of this competition are invited to visit leading German institutions of environmental and sustainability research. Furthermore, Green Talents awardees can complete a research stay at an institution of their choice.

Helmholtz Investigator Groups

The best early career researchers are provided with excellent working conditions in a research-oriented environment. Researchers are granted independence early on and can set up and lead their own research group at a Helmholtz centre.

Humboldt Research Fellowship

International junior and senior researchers in all disciplines can carry out their own research project in cooperation with an academic host of their choice at a research institute in Germany.

International Climate Protection Fellowship

Postdocs and young leaders from non-European emerging economies or developing countries who work in the area of climate protection can pursue a long-term scientific project at a host institution of their choice in Germany.

Initiation of International Collaboration

These grants support international collaboration by enabling eligible German and international researchers and academics to plan partner visits, trips abroad and/or joint workshops with their partners.

International Visiting Researchers at Max Planck Institutes

International researchers can conduct independent research at a Max Planck institute. The programme aims to strengthen cooperation and promote networking between Max Planck institutes and their international partners.

Leibniz Junior Research Groups

Promising early career researchers are enabled to set up their own research group in the inspiring research environment of a Leibniz institute.

Lise Meitner Excellence Programme

Female early career researchers from all over the world with outstanding qualifications are enabled to establish their own research group at one of the renowned Max Planck institutes.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie European Postdoctoral Fellowships

Postdoctoral researchers of any nationality can enhance their qualifications and diversify their competences by conducting a research project at a research institution in Germany.

Max Planck Grants for Advanced Postdoctoral Training

Postdocs can gain additional knowledge and skills at a Max Planck institute on the basis of their prior professional qualifications.

Max Planck Research Group Leader

Excellent postdocs can conduct independent research work at a Max Planck institute by establishing their own Max Planck Research Group.

Philipp Schwartz Initiative

The Philipp Schwartz Initiative enables universities and research institutions in Germany to host researchers at risk on the basis of a full fellowship.

Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility Experience (PRIME)

The PRIME programme enables postdocs of all nationalities who see their long-term career in Germany to combine employment at a German university with a research stay abroad.

Research Grants

Early career and established researchers can pursue a research project on a specific subject within a limited period of time. The programme can provide support for project costs, staff and equipment required to carry out the project. 

Research Grants – One-Year Grants

International doctoral candidates can carry out research primarily as part of a doctoral project at a state or state-recognised university or non-university research institution in Germany.

Research Stays for University Academics and Scientists

International university teachers and researchers can conduct a short-term research stay at a state-run or state-recognised university or non-university research institute in Germany.

Scientific Networks

Scientific Networks offer researchers with a PhD the opportunity to engage in multi-year scientific exchange and cooperation on a topic area of their choice across various locations.

Travel Grants

The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) awards travel grants to PhD students and postdoctoral researchers from all over the world.

Walter Benjamin Programme

The Walter Benjamin Programme enables researchers in the postdoctoral training phase to independently conduct their own research project at a German research institution of their choice.

More information:

Search funding databases.

More funding programmes are available for international researchers. For more information you can either search the funding databases or go straight to the websites of the funding organisations.

• Universities

Sources of Funding

In Germany, and Bavaria particularly, you will find many funding opportunities to support your research. From funding offered by universities to special European grants, we provide an overview of PhD scholarships, postdoc fellowships, and other grants you can apply for in Bavaria.

Funding for Your Research

The list below, while not exhaustive, provides information on some of the most common funding options that you can apply for directly. *

Tips for a Successful Application

• Before you apply, find the appropriate institution or host: Your research project should fit into their research agenda or complement it. Browse our research topics and database to start your search.
• Take your time to develop a coherent project idea and discuss it with your host professor.
• For all funding programs, you will need to document the support of your host. Depending on the program, an invitation letter, a hosting statement, a joint proposal or even a commitment to co-finance the grant may be required.
• Advanced researchers will be referred to the university’s funding advice service to discuss the strategical and financial aspects of the application. At this career level, the preparation of an application can take several months, so plan ahead and with plenty of time.

Variety in Funding Options

The programs listed here are not the only way to fund your research. Other options include:

• country specific scholarships or grants
• program-specific scholarships for candidates in structured PhD programs
• employment as a research associate during your PhD or Postdoc, or a professorship at a university (visit our jobs page )
• funding for short term stays may be acquired by hosts through the university’s own programs for guest professors or by programs funding the initiation of international projects

Short-Term Research Stays

If you are looking for special funding to cover a short-term visit to a Bavarian university, there are many PhD scholarships and short-term research grants for you to consider. Basic amounts vary between ca. €1,000 and €2,000 depending on the career level and are often complemented by allowances for specific purposes.

Short-Term Grants

• Type of funding: short-term grant
• Open to: highly qualified PhDs and postdocs
• Subject area: all disciplines
• What funding covers: fixed amount per month, healthcare cover, accident and personal liability insurance benefits, travel allowance
• Duration: 1–6 months
• Application deadline: twice yearly
• Funding information: Short Term Grants

Research Stays for University Academics and Scientists

• Open to: university teachers and established academics and scientists who have usually completed a doctoral degree and work at a university or research institute in their home country.
• What funding covers: fixed amount per month
• Duration: 1–3 months
• Application deadline: once or twice yearly
• Funding information: Research Stays for University Academics and Scientists

Scholarship Program 1

• Type of funding: scholarship or short-term scholarship
• Open to: graduates, doctoral candidates, and postdocs of Catholic denomination (particularly those from the Middle East) or candidates from other religions who are put forward by Catholic partners and can prove their commitment to interreligious dialogue.
• Amount: (not specified)
• Duration: one year, or research stays of 2 – 6 months
• Application deadline: annual
• Funding information: Scholarship Program 1

Eastern European Program

• Type of funding: short-term scholarship
• Open to: graduates, PhD candidates, postdocs, and scientists and lecturers from Central, Eastern, or Southeastern Europe, the Caucuses, and Central Asia. Good knowledge of German and of Catholic denomination (other denominations will be considered, provided candidates are put forward by catholic partners).
• Duration: maximum 6 months
• Funding information: Programme for Eastern Europe

PhD Funding

Because tuition is free in Germany, PhD scholarships are generally offered by third-party organizations rather than the universities. Basic amounts vary between ca. €800 and €2,000 depending on the organization and are often complemented by allowances for specific purposes.

Research Grants – Doctoral Programmes

• Type of funding: research grant
• Open to: highly qualified doctoral candidates
• What funding covers: fixed amount per month, including cover for health, accident, and personal liability insurance, travel allowance, one-off research grant, preparatory language courses, sometimes also monthly rent allowances, as well as monthly supplements for accompanying family members
• Duration: maximum 4 years
• Application deadline: annual, depending on country of origin
• Funding information: DAAD Research Grants – Doctoral Programmes

One-Year Grants for Doctoral Candidates

• What funding covers: fixed amount per month including cover for health, accident, and personal liability insurance, travel allowance, one-off research grant, preparatory language courses, sometimes also monthly rent allowances, as well as monthly supplements for accompanying family members
• Duration: 7–12 months
• Funding information: One-Year Grants for Doctoral Candidates

Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees / Cotutelle

• What funding covers: fixed amount per month, including health, accident and personal liability insurance, travel allowance, one-off research grant, preparatory language courses, occasionally monthly rent allowances, as well as monthly supplements for accompanying family members, travel and living expenses for university lecturers
• Duration: maximum 2 years, can be divided into several short research stays.
• Funding information: Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees / Cotutelle

Doctoral Scholarship

• Open to: highly qualified and socially committed doctoral candidates who have been accepted on a doctoral program at a German university
• What funding covers: fixed amount per month, contributions towards health insurance costs (50%; max. of 100€/month), family/childcare allowances, travel grants. As a scholarship holder you are supported in your academic and personal development by an adviser in the German Academic Scholarship Foundation’s office and a personal tutor at your home university. Furthermore, you can benefit from social activities, international networking and an interdisciplinary academic program.
• Duration: maximum 3 years, child birth, parental leave, eldercare and illness can extend this period
• Application deadline: applications are accepted on a rolling basis
• Funding information: Doctoral Scholarships

Marianne-Plehn-Program

• Type of funding:  salaried part-time employment of 25% ( TV-L E13 )
• Subject area:  all disciplines
• Open to:  highly qualified doctoral candidates who have obtained a doctoral scholarship of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation (Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes)
• What funding covers:  salaried part-time employment of 25% at any university in Bavaria (providing social security as well as important experience in teaching academic classes and in administrative tasks). As a member of the Elite Network of Bavaria you benefit from activities, international networking and add-ons to your doctorate within our interdisciplinary excellence program.
• Duration: ends with doctoral scholarship of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation (Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes)
• Application deadline:  applications accepted on a rolling basis; parallel to the application for the doctoral scholarship or in the first year of the doctoral scholarship
• Funding information: Marianne-Plehn-Program

One-year Scholarship Program for Graduates of Central, Eastern and Southeastern European States

• Open to: graduates and PhD candidates from Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe
• What funding covers: fixed amount per month, if applicable additional funds for children
• Duration: maximum 3 years
• Application deadline: end of November/beginning of December each year
• Funding information: One-year Scholarship Program for Graduates of Central, Eastern and Southeastern European States

Doctoral Fellowships in Quantum Science

• Subject area: quantum sciences
• Open to: highly qualified doctoral candidates affiliating with one of the MQV research groups
• What funding covers: a 75% working position ( TV-L E13 ) and generous research and conference travel allowance. MQV doctoral students affiliated with related research groups can enter the existing graduate programs at their respective institutions. Moreover, they can participate in QST summer schools and a wide range of workshops organized by MQV partners, e.g. MCQST and Max Planck IMPRS programs.
• Duration: 3 years
• Application deadline: 15 January
• Funding information: Doctoral Fellowships, Munich Quantum Valley

PhD Fellowship Basic Biomedical Research

• Subject area: biomedicine
• What funding covers: fixed amount per month additional funding for travel costs, if applicable additional funds for children and spouses
• Application deadline: 1 February, 2 June and 2 October each year
• Funding information: PhD Fellowship Basic Biomedical Research

PhD Scholarship in the Historical Sciences

• Subject area: historical humanities
• What funding covers: fixed amount per month, family allowance, relocation costs if applicable, travel allowance and funding for research materials as necessary
• Duration: 2 years
• Application deadline: applications accepted on a rolling basis
• Funding information: PhD Scholarship in the Historical Sciences

Funding for Postdocs

Funding for Postdocs is often offered in the form of a salaried position. The grant usually covers a monthly stipend of around €2,300 and more as well as financial support for resources you may need for your research.

Walter Benjamin Programme

• Type of funding: salaried position
• Open to: postdoctoral researchers at an early career phase
• What funding covers: salaried position, funding for resources and travel, as well as publication costs and benefits for parents, if necessary.
• Duration: maximum 2 years
• Funding information: Walter Benjamin Programme

Individual Research Grants

• Open to: researchers with a doctoral degree
• What funding covers: own position, resources, and staff
• Duration: depending on the project (several years)
• Funding information: Individual Research Grants

Humboldt Research Fellowship for Postdoctoral Researchers

• Open to: postdocs who have obtained their doctorate within the last 4 years
• What funding covers: fixed amount per month, mobility allowance, allowance for health and liability insurance, family allowance, preparatory language courses for you and your spouse
• Duration: 6-24 months
• Application deadline: March, July and November each year
• Funding information: Humboldt Research Fellowship for Postdoctoral Researchers

Georg Forster Research Fellowship

• Open to: postdocs from developing and emerging countries who have obtained their doctorate within the last 4 years
• What funding covers: fixed amount per month intensive language course for researchers, their spouse before the start of the scholarship, financial support for the family and travel allowance
• Application deadline: February, June and October each year
• Funding information: Georg Forster Research Fellowship

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship

• Open to: researchers with a doctoral degree or at least four years’ full-time research experience by the time of the call deadline
• Amount: funding for research and travel expenses
• Application deadline: September each year 
• Special features: the Bavarian Research Alliance (BayFOR) , the German National Contact Point for Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions and the European Liaison Office of the German Research Organisations (KoWi) support researchers in all phases of their research project, including the application. Universities might connect you with these specialized agencies after deciding to support your application.
• Funding information: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship

General Research Grants: Scholarships

• Open to: postdocs who have obtained their doctorate within the last 10 years
• What funding covers: fixed amount per month, family allowance, allowance for scholarships abroad, travel aid and material aid
• Duration: 1-24 months
• Application deadline: several times during the year
• Funding information: General Research Grants: Scholarships

Funding for Your Own Research Group

Experienced postdocs who are ready to take the next step in their careers, can apply for funding of their own research group . The grants are typically longer-term and highly sought after. As well as financing your own position at university, costs for your staff and for your equipment are covered. Depending on the organization and on your project, the total amount can reach up to €3M for the whole funding period.

Emmy Noether Programme

• Open to: experienced postdocs who have obtained their doctorate within the last 4 years.
• What funding covers: salaried position, and additional modules for resources, and staff, family allowance
• Duration: maximum 6 years
• Application deadline : applications accepted on a rolling basis
• Funding information: Emmy-Noether Programme

Heisenberg Programme

• Type of funding: research grant, salaried position and your own research group, or professorship
• Open to: researchers who have qualified for professorship
• What funding covers: fixed amount per month, funding for research materials, travel allowance, if applicable additional funds for children; salaried position or professorship, funding for research materials, resources
• Duration: maximum 5 years
• Special features: when you are accepted into the Heisenberg Program, you can choose from different types of funding (research grant, salaried position and funds for your own research group, or professorship)You initially request a Heisenberg grant
• Funding information: Heisenberg Programme

Junior Research Groups

• Open to: postdocs who have obtained their doctorate within the last two to five years
• What funding covers: salaried position, and resources for staff, research materials and equipment, family allowance
• Application deadline: not currently accepting applications
• Funding information: Junior Research Groups

ERC Starting Grant and ERC Consolidator Grant

• Open to: researchers who have obtained a doctorate within the last 2–7 years (Starting Grant) or within the last 7–12 years (Consolidator Grant)
• What funding covers: salaried position, staff, resources, technical equipment
• Duration: 5 years maximum
• Application deadline: each year
• Special features: the Bavarian Research Alliance (BayFOR) , the German National Contact Point ERC and the European Liaison Office of the German Research Organisations (KoWi) support researchers in all phases of their research project, including the application. Universities might connect you with these specialized agencies after deciding to support your application.
• Funding information: ERC Starting Grant; ERC Consolidator Grant

Funding for Established Researchers

There is ample support for highly qualified researchers looking to pursue a research career in Bavaria. To qualify for this type of funding, applicants will generally need to have qualified for professorship , e.g. by a previous group leader position, a habilitation or a particularly strong academic record. Basic amounts vary considerably depending on the funding organization, your project and your experience.

Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers

• Open to: researchers who have obtained their doctorate within the last 12 years
• Duration:  6-18 months, the stay can be divided into up to three stays within three years
• Funding information: Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers
• Open to: experienced researchers from developing and emerging countries who have obtained their doctorate within the last 12 years
• What funding covers: fixed amount per month intensive language course for researchers and their spouse before the start of the scholarship, financial support for the family and travel allowance
• Duration: 6 - 18 months
• Type of funding: research grant, salaried position and own research group, or professorship
• What funding covers: fixed amount per month, travel allowance, if applicable additional funds for children; salaried position or professorship, funding for research materials, resources
• Special features: when you are accepted into the Heisenberg Program, you can choose from different types of funding (research grant, salaried position and funds for your own research group, or professorship)

Lichtenberg Endowed Professorship

• Type of funding: professorship W2 / W3
• Open to: professors
• Amount: €2M
• Duration: 5 years
• Special features: joint application with the university, which has to contribute another €3M to the endowment capital
• Funding information: Lichtenberg Endowed Professorship

ERC Advanced Grant

• Type of funding: own research group
• Open to: researchers who have a track-record of significant research contributions achievements in the last 10 years, exceptional leaders in terms of originality and significance of their research
• Special features: the “ German National Contact Point ERC ” and the “ European Liaison Office of the German Research Organisations “ (KoWi) support researchers in all phases of their research project, including the application
• Funding information: ERC Adanced Grant

General Research Grants: Scholarship

• Open to: researchers with habilitation, associate professors, senior lecturers or similar
• What funding covers: fixed amount per month, family allowance, living abroad allowance, travel allowance and resources as necessary
• Application deadline: several times each year
• Funding information: General Research Grants: Scholarship

Threatened Researchers

Discrimination, the violation of human rights, armed conflicts and wars are threatening the lives and work of researchers in different parts of the world. With awareness rising among the research community, support structures are currently adapted and new programs developed. Funding programs running on a long-term basis and available to all threatened researchers who want to join Bavarian universities are listed here.

Philipp Schwartz-Fellowship

The Philipp Schwartz Initiative provides funding for researchers who are facing severe threats, including threats of violence, torture, wrongful imprisonment or prosecution. Various Bavarian universities have hosted Philipp Schwartz Fellows during the last years and developed support programs to integrate these researchers. These institutions recently founded a network to provide better support for potential applicants as well as current fellows.

• Open to: threatened researchers with a doctoral degree; a confirmation of a pertinent threat should be confirmed either by way of a residence status in the context of an asylum-granting procedure within the EU or by way of a credible threat assessment issued no more than 12 months ago by a third party, such as the Scholars at Risk Network (SAR) or the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA)
• What funding covers: fixed amount per month (around €3,500/month)
• Duration: max. 3 years
• Special Features: the university applies for the funds in accordance with its institutional strategy for threatened researchers; researchers should contact the university of their choice or the Scholars at Risk Network .
• Funding information: Philipp Schwartz-Fellowship

Support for Researchers from Ukraine

The scientific community and universities in Bavaria offer their support to students and researchers, who were forced to leave Ukraine and have arrived in Bavaria. Ad-hoc funding programs have been put in place by a large range of institutions on a regional as well as on the national level. In Bavaria, both universities and research groups can act as a host and nominate you for specific programs.

How to find your host:

Use our database “Find Your Peers” and our list of structured PhD programs to find a research group or host in your field. You can also check out our twitter account to find out about current job offers for young researchers at Bavarian universities.

How to get funding:

Your host, together with the Research Funding Offices and Welcome Centers at the university of your choice are glad to inform you about adequate options and guide you through the process.

Coordination Office for Ukraine and further assistance

The Coordination Office for Ukraine , a service by the Bavarian Academic Center for Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe ( BayHOST ), connects students and academics with Bavarian universities. Their website provides an overview of all support measures put in place and useful information for the time after your arrival.

Furthermore, we can also recommend DAAD’s Webpage on offers of assistance for Ukrainian students and scientists .

* No responsibility is taken for the correctness of the details provided. Please refer to the individual funding organization for the latest information.

What to Read Next

Language Switcher

Recognizing the boundary breakers.

Science Impact

Identifying outstanding scientific talents & breakthrough research topics in the life sciences, and providing unique opportunities for collaboration in science  

Outstanding scientists fellowships & stipends.

The next generation: Our fellowships & stipends provide unique opportunities for brilliant young people to develop essential skills, gain new perspectives, and build important relationships around the globe. Through this support, we aim to provide exceptional individuals the opportunity to have a positive impact on the world and become the boundary-breakers of tomorrow. 

With equity and collaboration at the core of our fellowships, our varied programs offer fantastic opportunities or support for a wide range of individuals. We have fellowships for young scientists from around the globe, opportunities for teachers, apprentices & young professionals in scientific industries and physicians, as well as offering support for young women with families in academia.   

Our commitment to equity: At Bayer Foundation we believe actions speak louder than words. We are committed to ensuring that selection for our fellowships is not only based on excellence but reflects our ambition to achieve equity in science. More information on our specific actions will be coming soon. 

When eligible for a given program, we strongly encourage applications from women, individuals from low- & middle-income countries, parents with caring responsibilities for young children, and individuals working within Germany with German as a second language.  

For Master, PhD and Medical Students The next generation of boundary-breaking scientists

Our fellowships are designed to foster interdisciplinary interaction and collaboration across borders and organizations as well as provide unique opportunities for personal and professional development.

We offer three fellowships for outstanding masters, PhD, and medical students to undertake international research projects, internships & more. These fellowships are designed to enhance existing study programs by providing additional funding for international placements, that are complimentary to current or future scientific studies. 

Otto Bayer Fellowships in Drug Discovery

For master or PhD students from all scientific disciplines including pharmacy and data science, with fundamental or applied studies with relevance to the pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare (over-the-counter) industries.

Jeff Schell Fellowships for Agricultural Science

For master or PhD students from all scientific disciplines including data science, with fundamental or applied studies with relevance to the Crop Science industry.

Carl Duisberg Fellowships for Medical Sciences

For all students of human & veterinary medicine, or master and PhD students in medical engineering, applied medical sciences, data science in medicine and public health.

Applicants are eligible for up to 10,000€ in funding and can undertake fellowships for between 2 weeks and six months. People studying in Germany must undertake placements in second country & those studying outside Germany must undertake their fellowships at a German research institution. For more detailed information please see our guidelines and frequently asked questions.

How can I apply?

You can find our 2024 guidelines here . 

Application phase: February 12 - April 8, 2024. Applications can only be made through our digital portal below (click the button).  Here you can find a preview. Please contact us with any questions at: [email protected]

Some of our 2023 awardees

Nicole Gottscheber

Otto Bayer Fellowship for Drug Discovery Sciences    Project : Conditional activation of IL-2 by using peptide crosslinkers for cancer immunotherapies. 

Rashi Tyagi

Jeff Schell Fellowship for Agricultural Sciences Project : Synthetic microbial communities for biocontrol of Fusarium: Harnessing the functional potential of microbiome. 

Leopold Klein

Carl Duisberg Fellowship for Medical Sciences Project : Transformation of the implant paradigm in breast reconstruction surgery.

Meet our 2023 Scientific Fellowship Awardees

We are delighted to announce the selection of our 2023 Bayer Foundation Fellowship Awardees

For Student Teachers & Teachers Science is for everyone, not just scientists

We believe that trust in science begins with making science education exciting and inclusive for all pupils, regardless of whether they want to become scientists or not. Through our actions at Bayer Foundation, we want to give all children and young people the ability to understand the science that effects their lives as well as inspire the next generation of scientists.

This fellowship is designed for teachers that will shape the perspectives of future generations and provides funding for internships, research projects, further training and science communication relating to STEM (science, technology, engineering & mathematics)-education.

The Kurt Hansen Fellowship for STEM-Education

This fellowship is for:

•       Trainee teachers or students of pedagogy (postgraduate) with a focus on STEM subjects

•       Newly qualified teachers (< 3 years) with a primary focus on STEM subjects

•       Grundschule or Förderschule teachers seeking to enhance their capacity and knowledge regarding STEM education.

This fellowship is only available to applicants currently working or studying in Germany!

You can find our 2024 guidelines here (in German only).

Application phase: February 12 - April 8, 2024. Applications can only be made in German and through our digital portal below (click the button).  Here you can find a preview. Please contact us with any questions at: [email protected]

For Apprentices and Young Professionals You do not need a degree to change the world

Not everyone thinks the same way, and by providing opportunities for brilliant young people without an academic background, we want to bring a diversity of perspectives to the forefront of science. 

This unique fellowship can be used for internships, research projects, personal development (including language courses), as well as to support young parents undertaking further training.

Hermann Strenger Fellowships

This fellowship is for apprentices or young professionals without a university education and less than five years of employment. Applicants must pursue their current apprenticeship or profession in a German-speaking country (Germany, Austria or Switzerland).

We particularly encourage applications from parents with young children and people with German as a second language Time taken for parental leave or other exceptional circumstances does not contribute to the five-year period.

For Healthcare Professionals  The Young Physician Leaders Program

The development of leadership capabilities for healthcare professionals often occurs on the job, as young professionals progress through positions of increasing responsibility. As formal leadership training is often neglected, the Inter-Academy Partnership (IAP) launched the Young Physician Leaders Program (YPL) to address this gap and build capacity in leadership for healthcare professionals. The program trains emerging healthcare leaders under the age of 40 from around the world and participants are subsequently integrated into a unique global network of more than 200 leading young professionals. Each year, selected participants come to Berlin to participate in the World Health Summit. While in Germany, they receive leadership training at the world class business school, ESMT Berlin, and explore opportunities for collaboration with Bayer Foundation.

The application process is managed by the Inter-Academy Partnership and is independent of Bayer Foundation. Find out more here.

For scientists in sub-Saharan Africa Alexander von Humboldt Collaboration

As equity in science came to the forefront of our actions, in 2021, we built an exciting new program in collaboration with the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation with the ambition to address inequalities in scientific capacity around the world. Our new program specifically supports scientists from sub-Saharan Africa and you can read more about this exciting initiative here: Empowering Scientists .

From 2013-2020, the Humboldt-Bayer-Research Fellowship program gave outstanding early career scientists the independence to develop their own scientific ideas.  As part of our work supporting academic excellence, every year, ten of the top up-and-coming postdoctoral scientists from around the world were selected to become Humboldt- Bayer Fellows and undertake research at in Germany. These fellowships offered a platform for scientists to work independently, develop their scientific creativity and generate cutting-edge science at leading institutes across the country.

Humboldt-Bayer-Research-Fellowship

Meet Filipa Tomé, a former fellow and now volunteer with the Bayer Foundation “If you do things you love, you can never end up in the wrong place.”  

Enabling Young African Scientists to Become Scientific Leaders in Their Community

Read more about our new collaboration with the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation supporting academic researchers from sub-Saharen Africa.

For young women in academia with children Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard-Foundation

Together with the Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard-Foundation, we offer fellowships for outstanding young female scientists (PhD or postdoc) with children. You can find more information here: Empowering Scientists .

For early career academic researchers Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting

The Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting presents an unmatched opportunity for young scientists to interact directly with Nobel laureates. Participants, both students & laureates, are able to learn from each other, share knowledge and insight across scientific disciplines, different cultures, and across generations. 

This unique event brings together outstanding young researchers from universities around the world with scientific leaders who have been recognized for making some of the most important scientific discoveries in our history.

Each year, we support 20 young researchers from around the world to attend the conference as Bayer Foundation-Lindau Fellows. In addition, we host a unique evening of scientific exchange between our fellows and leading industry personalities.

The application process is managed by the Lindau Nobel Foundation and is independent of Bayer Foundation.  Find out more here .

© 2022 Bayer AG

Get in Touch

Do you have any queries or comments, please contact: [email protected]

Have any question?

You can talk to our consultants now.

• Scholarships , Study Abroad

Top 10 PhD Scholarships in Germany for 2024-2025

• May 6, 2024

Table of Contents

• Gerda Henkel Foundation PhD scholarships in Germany

Max Planck Society Research Scholarships

Fraunhofer-bessel research award, daad – phd scholarships in germany.

• Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship For PhD

DKFZ International PhD Program in Germany

Ieg research fellowship program, heinrich böll foundation phd scholarships in germany, university of potsdam phd completion scholarships, rotary foundation global scholarship grants for development, gerda henkel foundation phd scholarships in germany.

• Eligible Nationalities: Open to all nationals
• Official website
• Up to 2 years, with a possible 1-year extension upon application.
• Basic scholarship amount
• Travel allowance for stays abroad exceeding 4 weeks
• Family grant for children under 18
• Travel and material expenses
• Applications are submitted electronically only.
• Documents must be in German or English, with a font size of 11 minimum and line spacing of 1.5.
• Research proposal (max 8 pages) + bibliography (optional)
• Schedule and work plan (max 2 pages), including necessary travel
• Detailed cost estimate for travel and materials
• Curriculum vitae (tabular format)
• Copy of university degree certificates (Master’s or relevant)
• Two expert opinions (recommendation letters)
• Incomplete applications or those missing specialist opinions will be rejected.
• Age: 28 or younger upon Master’s degree completion (exceptions considered for extenuating circumstances)
• Minimum grade: 1.5 (German grading system) or equivalent for international students

German Student Visa for Indian Students + Complete Guide 2024

• Supports outstanding international guest scientists and PhD students in optics and quantum optics.
• PhD students need a degree suitable for doctoral studies.
• The application requires a motivation letter, CV, and Master’s transcript.
• Details: tax-free, based on PhD salary, max 6 months.
• Supports professional development by connecting female researchers with leading scientists.
• Eligible: Female MPL employees with leadership potential.
• Funding: Up to 1-week stay in a European research group led by women (travel, accommodation, meals covered).
• The application requires a CV, motivation statement, chosen host group, travel timeframe, and supervisor approval.
• Deadlines: March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31.
• Supports female graduate students and postdocs in natural sciences and medicine with children.
• Provides monthly grants for childcare and household assistance.
• Applications open September 1; Deadline: November 30.

• Nomination-based award (up to 3 per year)
• Non-European PhD and Postdoctoral researchers
• Significant contributions to applied research
• Internationally recognized achievements with lasting impact
• €45,000 financial reward
• Networking opportunities
• Research collaboration possibilities
• Invitations to prestigious events
• Targets: Graduates, PhD students, and Postdocs
• Funding for Study visits, research visits, internships
• Research Grants (1 year): For PhD students from most countries.
• Master’s Scholarships: Primarily for students from industrialized nations.
• Hilde Domin Programme: For students at risk of educational denial in their home country (nomination required).
• Sur-place and Third Country Programs: Funding for graduate, PhD, or postdoctoral studies in your home country/region.
• Visit the DAAD scholarship database .
• Find the program you’re interested in and pay close attention to deadlines.
• The database will link you to the application portal.
• Applications are reviewed by independent committees based on subject-related criteria.
• Benefits of these fully funded PhD scholarships in Germany include:
• Monthly stipend (€934 for graduates, €1,200 for PhD students).
• Flat-rate travel allowance.
• Health, accident, and personal liability insurance.
• One-off research allowance
• Family benefits
• Language course funding

Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship for PhD

• Eligible Nationalities: Not available for students from Western Europe
• Applicants with substantial academic achievements
• Active involvement in social and political issues
• Commitment to the principles of social democracy
• All academic subjects
• Public or state-approved universities and universities of applied sciences (FH)
• Postgraduate programs (PhD)
• Must be from Africa, Asia, Latin America, or Eastern Europe
• Already enrolled in a German university or have a PhD supervisor
• Living in Germany before applying
• Proof of German language proficiency (C1 level)
• Proof of initial academic achievements (except Master’s students)
• Monthly stipend: €650 (primary) or €1,000 (graduate)
• Family allowance (€276, if applicable)
• Healthcare cost reimbursement
• Regular participation in FES seminars and activities
• Above-average academic performance
• Continued social and political engagement
• Submit semester reports on academic progress and social involvement
• Diploma/Magister/State Exam: by 6th semester
• Bachelor/Undergraduate: 3 semesters before the standard program end
• Master/Postgraduate: by 1st semester
• Online application (in German)
• Interview with FES lecturer
• Interview with FES scholarship committee member
• Committee discussion and decision
• Written notification of the outcome
• Summer Selection: May 15 (2024) – No Winter Selection in 2024/25.
• Following Selection: April 24 (2025)
• Usual Schedule (from Winter Selection 2025/26 onwards): May 15 and December 15 deadlines.
• Application Review: 6 weeks after the deadline.
• Interview preparation: Provide contact details for 2 referees
• Present research project and scientific paper.
• Evaluated on academic achievements, research experience, and passion for cancer research.
• Individual Interviews with Supervisors (chosen from 5 preferred projects).
• On-site Visit (July 23-25): Explore research environments, meet supervisors, and attend social events.
• Apply through the Online Application System (opens 6-8 weeks before the deadline).
• Academic certificates (electronic copies, PDF under 5MB).
• English language certificate.
• Statement of motivation.
• Letters of recommendation (submitted by referees by application deadline).
• Not invited for interview: Create a new account and re-submit documents.
• Invited for interview (but not offered position): Contact supervisors directly.
• Already affiliated with DKFZ: Indicate affiliation and details in the application.
• Secured third-party funding: Apply if the Ph.D. started after the previous selection deadline and state affiliation in the application.
• February 15
• Completed application form (available for download)
• Curriculum vitae and list of publications (optional, no photos)
• D. thesis outline (max 15,000 characters)
• D. thesis structure
• Detailed timetable for your stay at the IEG
• University transcripts and proof of language competence
• Email to: [email address removed]
• Subject: Fellowship Application
• Language: English or German (proficiency in English required)
• Applicant’s academic qualifications
• D. project details (topic, goal, current state)
• Planned work at the IEG (timeline and schedule)
• Research project (question, method, results, representation)
• The current state of research on the topic
• Monthly stipend: €1,350 (used exclusively for the research project at IEG)
• Family allowance may be available for accompanying partners with low incomes and children. Indicate on your application.

• International graduates and doctoral students
• Applicants with a strong academic background
• Active social and political engagement
• Proficiency in German (B2 Level or DSH2 minimum)
• Gather information and documents (begins 6 weeks before deadlines)
• Register for the online portal
• Complete the application form
• Upload required documents
• Submit your application by the deadline (March 1 or September 1)
• Fully funded PhD scholarships in Germany (up to 36 months): Supports doctoral research projects.
• Completion Scholarships (up to 6 months): Provides funding to finalize a PhD dissertation.
• Current PhD candidate at the University of Potsdam
• Supervisor affiliated with the University of Potsdam
• Monthly stipend: €1,500 (excluding family allowance)
• Part-time scholarships are considered in exceptional cases
• Scholarship start date: May 2024 or later
• It opens from January 17 up to March 3 every year.
• Review details and regulations on the Potsdam Graduate School website .
• Prepare a complete application package in a single PDF document.
• Apply via email to [email protected]
• Address application to Universität Potsdam, Geschäftsstelle der Vergabekommission für die Graduiertenförderung, Frau Nadine Mohaupt, Am Neuen Palais 10, 14469 Potsdam.
• Be a graduate student with a clear career path in one of Rotary’s focus areas.
• Demonstrate a commitment to community service and long-term, sustainable change.
• Possess strong leadership potential and a proven academic record.
• Have well-defined goals for using the scholarship to advance their field.
• Be committed to maintaining a connection with Rotary after the scholarship period.
• Reviewing the candidate’s experience, academic record, and career goals.
• Conducting interviews to assess leadership skills, commitment to service, and scholarship goals.
• Collaborating with a host Rotary club or district in the student’s study location.
• Applications for scholarships starting in August-October are due by June 30.
• All other applications are accepted on a rolling basis but should be submitted at least 3 months before the student’s departure date.
• Global Grants have a minimum budget of $30,000 with a maximum Rotary Foundation contribution of $400,000.
• Funds can come from various sources, including District Designated Funds, cash contributions, and directed gifts.
• Eligible expenses include tuition, fees, living expenses, travel, and language training.
• Ineligible expenses include personal travel, entertainment, and dependents’ expenses.

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Fully Funded PhD Positions in Germany

By Guest Author Prof. Dr. Holger Karl

There is a lot of information available online about how to do a PhD in the US , including answers to relevant questions like what PhD programs exist, which stipends can be obtained, and possible job prospects. However, there is a big educational market – ranging from undergraduate degrees to postgraduate research – outside of the US as well. One excellent example is Germany, which offers both fully funded PhD opportunities and other funding opportunities for postgraduate study and research.

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PhD Opportunities in Germany

The German university system is extensive, with a long tradition that stretches back over centuries and with vibrant, young universities specifically founded for a particular purpose. It has a rich mixture of very large universities and small, highly focused institutions. But since it comes from a slightly different academic tradition and works under different funding principles, the advice for applying to PhD opportunities in Germany is slightly different. There are a couple of significant differences relevant for a postgraduate career.

First, the vast majority of German universities are state-funded. The main consequence is that there are no tuition fees, except for some modest, administrative fees (usually well below 500 Euro a year).

On top of there being no tuition, there is an extensive support system for PhD students. There are three main sources for funding:

• You become a teaching assistant . Then, you are not really considered as a student, but rather as an employee of the university. Depending on the discipline, you can expect to earn between 1,000 to 2,200 Euro (~$1,100-$2,450 USD) per month, after taxes, benefits, health insurance, etc. While you do have to support classes, you can expect to invest the lion share of your time into your own research.
• You work on a research project . Then, you are explicitly employed to do research on a topic that is of interest to the sponsor. Funding for such projects comes from the local or federal government or from the European Union; direct funding from industry in collaborative projects is also very common, especially in the natural and engineering sciences. Typically, the individual research topic is closely related with the project. Payment is practically identical with the teaching assistant payment scheme.
• You obtain a fellowship or scholarship. Fellowships and scholarships for study do exist and have become more popular in the recent years. However, they are less common and not a considerable source of funding. The advantage of scholarships is that you are typically free to choose your research topic. The downside is that scholarship amounts can be lower, ranging from only about 600 to 1,500 Euro per month. Also, most scholarships are limited in time, often two or three years.

One important source of fellowships and scholarships explicitly for foreign students is the German academic exchange service ( Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, DAAD ). DAAD specializes in providing scholarships for students from outside of Germany, primarily as a means to foster cultural exchange.  One opportunity for PhD funding is the DAAD Research Grant . DAAD is always a good starting point for information and opportunities on postgraduate funding.

As a consequence of these funding options, the German academic system tends to treat postgraduate fellowship and scholarship recipients not as students needing tutoring but much rather as someone with a complete education, embarking on an independent research career. For example, there is typically no obligation to attend classes or earn course credits – rather, you are expected to produce research results and to publish.

As a further consequence, PhD programs in Germany are typically less structured than those at US universities. The focus is on the student’s individual research contribution. For example, qualifying exams are practically unheard of in Germany. Organized PhD programs have only come into existence in the last couple of years, and they are mostly a marketing instrument to attract attention of the international workforce – such as yourself!

Finding a PhD position in Germany

When you are looking for a PhD position in Germany, it is highly advisable not just to concentrate on searching for “PhD programs.” In Germany, “program” is a misnomer – they typically do not exist at German universities, and that is neither a good nor bad sign since their relevance is much smaller here than compared to, say, PhD programs in the US university system.

Instead, you should look for concrete advertisements for PhD opportunities and positions in the discipline or research area that interests you. For example, at Paderborn University, we are seeking applicants for PhD positions  on the topic of SFB-901 “On-the-Fly Computing” (computer science) and on anticipatory systems (computer networking). We are also open to accepting PhD students with their own ideas. These positions are funded like a job and can be done in English (note, with teaching obligations, you should either have or are willing and able to acquire quickly a decent working knowledge of German).

This system is another consequence of the high emphasis that is put on academic independence: you are expected to have your own original ideas, goals, and interests. Of course, your interests must match with the research interests of the PhD funder.

Competitiveness and academic diversity 

The competitiveness of the German academic system is generally considered very high, even though German universities do not show up at top levels in the usual rankings. This is usually attributed to the fairly level playing field: the basic state funding for universities is pretty much comparable (salaries of professors, for example, are regulated by law), leading to an academic ecosystem with very small variation in quality. This is a stark difference to the big differences in the US where funding and even quality between universities can be vastly different.

That does not mean, however, that there is no competition. Quite the contrary – but the competition is mostly on the level of individual researchers and their groups, rather than on institutional level. Admittedly, these aspects have continued to grow in the last couple of years as well.

There is, in addition, a two-branch approach in the academic system. There are the typical universities and there are so-called Universities of Applied Sciences (“Fachhochschule”). You should be aware that doing a PhD at the latter is usually not possible (there are some arrangements for joint PhD programs between Fachhochschulen and Universities, but they are rare and special cases). These schools are much more focused on practical needs of the labor market (like US community colleges) rather than on a research-oriented education.

Language and culture 

While English and German are very close cousins as languages, they are not mutually understandable. And admittedly, German does have a reputation of being a bit hard to learn. But that should not be an obstacle!

Most research groups are diverse; English is commonly spoken on campus. In some teaching assistantships, you do have to be able to teach in German, but that is usually not required for project funding or scholarships. Especially in the natural and engineering sciences, English is the lingua franca of the research world. In fact, in these disciplines, you can expect to find a fairly multi-national mix of people in the research groups – perhaps not quite at the level of the US, but certainly approaching it.

In the humanities, the working language can be dictated by the topic – if you work on German literature, it makes sense to know German. Of course, some German does help in everyday life, although university towns are pretty international places and you should not have any serious problems getting around.

Culturally, Germany is a typically western country, well integrated into the European Union. You will find the usual differences between bigger and smaller cities and the countryside, and you will find some regional differences and idiosyncrasies – like in any typical society. Some of the large cities – in particular, Berlin – have a well-earned reputation as a hip and happening place. If you are familiar with the US, you should have no problem fitting in.

Also similar to the US (and to most countries), there is some difference in the cost of living. Smaller university towns typically have lower cost of living; something around 500-600 Euro per month can be enough to cover living expenses (rent, food, public transport, etc.).  In larger cities (like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg), rent is typically more expensive. There, you should usually plan for at least 1,000 Euro a month. Since academic quality does not depend on the place but on the individual research group, the choice is yours!

And afterwards? 

After you have completed your PhD and successfully defended your thesis, there is a host of employment opportunities in Germany. Staying in academia is usually very competitive (as in any good academic setting), but one potential step after a PhD is finding a so-called “junior professorship,” similar to an assistant professor in the US.

You can also leave academia and go for a job in industry. There, opportunities abound. Germany has perhaps the strongest economy in Europe with one of the lowest unemployment rates; it is one of the world’s largest exporting nations. Especially in the natural and engineering sciences, in mathematics or computer science, skilled people are in extremely high demand.

There is of course always the option to return to your home country. Especially if you pursue an academic career there, very often long-lasting collaborations with your German research group and university can develop – these can be very durable ties.

So come to Germany!

In summary, it is fair to say that Germany does offer excellent opportunities for fully-funded PhDs and postgraduate work. Instead of tuition paid to the university, there is salary paid to the student. Instead of mandatory course work, you are expected to focus on your research. Instead of doing quizzes in a qualifying exam, you can broaden your network by working in a project with industry or international collaborators, often all over Europe. Combine that with the low cost of living especially in small towns, there is no reason not to give the German academic system a closer look!

Other resources

• The largest German academic job market is academics.de . Mostly relevant for postdoc and tenured positions, but also some PhD positions are advertised there
• Studying in Germany , a website with useful articles on becoming eligible for a PhD positon
• Most universities have web pages with their PhD offerings in English
• The German academic exchange service – DAAD

Prof. Dr. Holger Karl is based at Paderborn University in Germany. His research interests center around architectures and protocols for mobile and wireless networking. If you are interested in learning about Prof. Dr. Karl’s PhD positions in computer science and networking, learn more here .

© Victoria Johnson 2020, all rights reserved.

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The carman international fellowship in tanzania: supporting lives of p..., 1 thought on “fully funded phd positions in germany”.

Is there any fully funded PhD prog in HR Management in Germany. If so what is the procedure to apply.

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Ph.D scholarships in Germany for International students 2024-2025

Find Ph.D scholarships for international students to study in Germany 2024-2025.

Hertie School Doctoral Programme in Governance for International Students 2024

With a PhD obtained in Doctoral Programme in Governance, students are at the cutting edge of social science knowledge in a field that has emerged as one of the most important and dynamic fields of inquiry. It brings together perspectives from economics, political science, law, and sociology, an

Published: 19 Dec 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 01 Feb 2024

DAAD Research Grants – Short-Term Grants for Doctoral and Postdocs Candidates 2024

DAAD grants for doctoral candidates and young scientists and academics wishing to carry out research and continue their education in Germany for up to 6 months The primary aim of this programme is to promote research projects within the context of doctoral programmes. The scholarships are funded

Published: 06 Nov 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 15 Mar 2024

DAAD 2023 Research Grants – Doctoral Programmes in Germany for Young Foreign Academics

DAAD research grants provide young foreign academics and scientists with an opportunity to carry out research and continue their education in Germany. There are funding programmes for various qualification phases and stages in a career. The grants also promote the exchange of experience and networki

Published: 05 Sep 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 20 Oct 2023

University Of Bonn 2023 BIGS-DR Doctoral Scholarship Program for Developing Countries

The Bonn International Graduate School for Development Research (BIGS-DR) is the doctoral program at ZEF. BIGS-DR is part of a group of international graduate programs at the University of Bonn, a graduate framework that maintains the highest level of academic quality. There are two way

Published: 09 May 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 31 Aug 2023

Leibniz Institute of European History (IEG) 2024 Fellowships for Doctoral Students, Germany

These are open to PhD students from Germany and abroad who have at least a Masters level degree in history, theology or another discipline which works historically. They must have been pursuing their doctorate for no more than three years at the time of the appliaction deadline, substantiated except

Published: 04 Apr 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 15 Aug 2023

Beyond Borders 2023 Scholarships for Different Stages of Ph.D. Research, Germany

Beyond Borders invite applications from Ph.D. students worldwide studying borders and bordering phenomena in different regions of the world for Beyond Borders Scholarships. BEYOND BORDERS supports research about borders and boundaries in past and present times. It promotes interdiscipli

Published: 16 Apr 2024 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: Not Specified

Beyond Borders 2023 PhD Scholarships

Beyond Borders’ invites applications from Ph.D. students worldwide studying borders and bordering phenomena in different regions of the world.  The Call for Scholarship Applications 2022 is open till 1 March 2022 and focuses on “Borders, Migration and Knowledge. ‘Beyond Bor

Published: 22 Feb 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 01 Mar 2023

Universität Hamburg 2023 Albrecht Mendelssohn Bartholdy Graduate School of Law

The structured PhD programme of the Albrecht Mendelssohn Bartholdy Graduate School of Law welcomes applications of graduates from both legal studies and other disciplines who are keen to produce ambitious doctoral work in an excellent research environment.

Published: 13 Feb 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 15 Feb 2023

University of Bonn 2023 Argelander Scholarships for Doctoral Candidates from Developing Countries

Applications are open for the Argelander Scholarships for doctoral candidates from universities in the Global South. The aim is to provide funding for doctoral candidates from countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia in order to promote scientific exchange with partners, particularly in region

Published: 18 Jan 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 01 May 2023

DAAD 2023 Graduate School Scholarship Program for PhD Students

The Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences (BIGSSS) invites applications for 2 scholarships for international doctoral researchers in its new Graduate School Scholarship Program “Global Dynamics of Social Policy and Social Cohesion” (GSPSC), funded by the 

Published: 07 Dec 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 23 Jan 2023

DIW Berlin 2023 FULLY FUNDED 5 Years PhD Scholarship (Germany)

DIW Berlin 2023 FULLY FUNDED 5 Years PhD Scholarship Germany. is open for International Students . The scholarship allows PhD level programm(s) in the field of Economics, Business studies taught at German Institute for Economic Research . The deadline of the scholarship is 12 Feb 2023. DIW B

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University Of Hamburg 2023 PhD Scholarship (Germany)

Are you seeking doctoral funding? The University of Hamburg offers doctoral scholarships and grants of up to € 1.200 to (prospective) doctoral candidates studying at the University of Hamburg. 

Published: 21 Nov 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: Not Specified

Freie University Berlin China Scholarship Council Doctoral Awards in Germany 2023

One highly successful example of the university’s efforts to recruit qualified junior scientists and scholars is its work with the China Scholarship Council (CSC). As part of a special program sponsored by the Chinese government, the CSC awards about 6,000 foreign scholarships each year to Chi

Published: 17 Nov 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 15 Jan 2023

University Of Hamburg - Doctoral Scholarships in Germany, 2022

Doctoral scholarships at Universität Hamburg Are you seeking doctoral funding? The University of Hamburg offers doctoral scholarships and grants of up to € 1.200 to (prospective) doctoral candidates studying at the University of Hamburg. We are happy to assist you with any

Published: 16 Nov 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 02 Dec 2022

University of Bayreuth 2023 BIGSAS-Scholarships for African Women Scholars (Germany)

BIGSAS has been awarded two scholarships within the Graduate School Scholarship Programme (GSSP) by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for which BIGSAS will nominate candidates who have successfully passed the application procedure.  BIGSAS provides a centre for creative a

Published: 01 Nov 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 15 Dec 2022

Are you seeking doctoral funding? The University of Hamburg offers doctoral scholarships and grants of up to € 1.200 to (prospective) doctoral candidates studying at the University of Hamburg. We are happy to assist you with any questions regarding our scholarship!

Published: 03 Oct 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: Not Specified

DAAD United Nations University 2022 Doctoral Research Scholarship for Researchers

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research

Published: 05 Jul 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 10 Jul 2022

Universität Leipzig 2023 Joint MA & PhD Peace and Security in Africa Scholarships for African Students

Be part of a unique transnational MA & PhD experience in which you graduate from two prestigious universities in Africa and Europe. Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia and Leipzig University in Germany jointly offer a two year MA program AND a three year PhD Program that

Published: 18 May 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 15 Feb 2023

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Apple Scholars in AI/ML 2025 - Call for Applications

Aktuelles | 31.07.2024

Apple has announced the PhD Fellowships in AI/ML 2025 program. Nominees should be pursuing research in one or more of the following research areas:

• Privacy preserving machine learning
• Human centred AI
• AI for ethics and fairness
• AI for accessibility
• AI for health and wellness
• ML algorithms and architectures
• Embodied ML
• Speech and natural language
• Computer vision
• Information retrieval, ranking and knowledge
• Data-centric AI

What is included?

The fellowship award comprises

• A generous stipend for (2) academic years to help with living expenses and related expenses
• $5,000 USD travel grant each year to support research-related travel and associated expenses 
• Mentorship with an Apple researcher 
• Potential Internship opportunities during their fellowship (subject to student status and relevant employment law). 

The monetary award will be directed to the nominating universities in the form of an unrestricted gift with the intention to fully support the University’s successful nominee(s), disbursed annually Award amounts will vary by country.

The award of the Apple Scholar in AI/ML PhD fellowship does not represent an employer/ employee relationship between Apple and the receiving university and/or selected student.

How to apply?

Nomination by TUM Graduate School only . 

In order to apply, please submit the complete application documents in separate PDF files to Charlotte Janosa, [email protected],  until 31 July 2024 .  Applications must be submitted by the primary thesis supervisor .

After the application deadline, the TUM Graduate School Prize Committee shall nominate the 3 most promising candidates for the Apple PhD Fellowship 2025 in AI/ML.  

Application documents

• CV and publication list 
• Research Abstract (200 word maximum) 
• Research statement covering past work and proposed direction for next 2 years (5 page maximum, including citations, in a legible font size) clearly stating the hypothesis and expected contributions to the chosen research area. Personally identifiable information is redacted for phase one reviewers. We recommend not including personally identifiable information in the main body of the research statement in order to maintain research statement clarity for reviewers of the redacted copy. 
• Two letter of recommendation, one from current supervisor (1 page maximum per letter) 
• Transcripts of current and previous academic records (Bachelor, Masters) 

Documents must be submitted as PDF’s with the file naming convention: “Last name, First name: Research Statement”; “Last name, First name: Resume”; “Last name, First name: Letters of recommendation” etc.

Eligibility

Please note, in order to be eligible

• Applicant must be fully registered on the doctoral candidacy list of their School (in DocGS) and be a full member in the TUM Graduate School at the time of application and expect to be enrolled through the end of the 2025/2026 academic year
• Applicant should be entering their last 2-3 years of the doctorate as of Fall 2024.
• Applicant must not hold an equivalent industry-sponsored full fellowship while they are an Apple Scholar in AI/ML (Fall 2025 to Summer 2028)

Contact:  Charlotte Janosa | janosa(at)zv.tum.de | 089 289 10624, TUM Graduate School, Boltzmannstr. 17, 85748 Garching b. München

All information submitted by TUM will only be used by Apple for the purposes of conducting the PhD Fellowship in AI/ML program, and will at all times be handled in accordance with Apple’s Privacy Policy .

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Research Fellow – Bonn International Fellowships, University of Bonn, Germany

The University of Bonn invites applications for the Bonn International Fellowships. This prestigious program aims to bring excellent researchers from all disciplines to Bonn for short stays of up to 12 days. The fellowship is designed to enhance academic collaboration, engage fellows in the academic community, and foster future research partnerships.

Designation: Research Fellow

Research Area: Open to all disciplines and areas of specialization.

Location: University of Bonn, Germany

Eligibility/Qualification:

• The fellowship is open to post-doctoral scholars and experienced faculty.
• Applicants must be actively involved in research and/or teaching at a university or research institute outside Germany.
• Applicants should possess a strong international reputation in their field of research.
• An invitation from a host at the University of Bonn is required. The University cannot facilitate connections between potential fellows and hosts.

Job Description:

• Fellows will spend up to 12 days at the University of Bonn.
• Activities during the fellowship may include delivering public lectures, conducting seminars or colloquiums, and engaging with the academic community.
• Fellows are expected to contribute to academic life in Bonn and explore areas for potential future collaborations with their hosts.
• The fellowship covers travel, daily allowances, and event material expenses:
• Travel allowance (varies by country of origin).
• Daily allowance of €160 (for up to 12 days).
• Material expenses for events (up to €500 per proposal).

How to Apply:

• Interested applicants must coordinate with a prospective host at the University of Bonn.
• The host at the University will submit the application, which includes:
• An online application form.
• Planned period of the visit.
• Key research accomplishments and international reputation of the fellow.
• Details of existing collaborations (if any).
• Integration plan of the fellow into Bonn’s academic life.
• Short- and long-term outcome expectations of the stay, including future collaboration goals.
• Fellow’s informal consent to the application.
• Fellow’s CV (PDF format).
• Signed invitation letter from the host at the University of Bonn (PDF format).
• A detailed financing plan (to be downloaded and used from the given link).

Last Date to Apply: September 25, 2024

For detailed information and to access the necessary application forms and documents, please visit the University of Bonn’s International Fellowships page .

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Special announcement

Fellowships at the käte hamburger research centre at the lmu münchen.

The Käte Hamburger Research Centre “Dis:connectivity in processes of globalisation” (global dis:connect) at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich invites applications for fellowships of between 6 and 12 months for the academic year 2025/2026.

Apply for a fellowship or become an artist in residence at global dis:connect and explore the complex relationships of global interconnectedness and disentanglement in the context of globalisation. Thr interdisciplinary research centre at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich wants to create a space to promote exchange between researchers from different fields and artists.

Scholars from the humanities and social sciences, especially from the fields of history, theatre studies and art history, are invited to apply.

Applications are open to post-doctoral as well as senior researchers who have already distinguished themselves with outstanding work within the thematic focus of the centre.

Application deadline: 8 September 2024.

gdc-Call-for-Applications-Fellows-2025_26.pdf (globaldisconnect.org)

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DAAD Research Grants 2025 for Doctoral Programs in Germany

Applications are open for the  DAAD Research Grants 2025 for the Doctoral Programs  in Germany. It is a fully funded scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for international PhD Students to pursue doctoral studies in Germany. DAAD is the largest scholarship provider in Germany. Students who are looking for Master’s degree scholarships in Germany can apply for the DAAD Master Studies ,  DAAD Helmut Schmidt Scholarship 2025 , and DAAD EPOS Scholarship .

Look no further! Complete your research in the Heart of Europe. A top-notch scholarship to complete your PhD in the prestigious German state-recognized institution of higher education. DAAD is here to take care of your expenses as these grants are funded by the German Federal Foreign Office. Let’s dig for more information about the DAAD Research Grants 2025 for Doctoral Programs, and its requirements and benefits.

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Details About DAAD Research Grants 2025 for Doctoral Programs

• Host Country : German
• Institutes : All German State Universities
• Degree Level : Doctoral Degree
• Duration : Four Years
• Deadline : Different for Each country

Also Check:  Humboldt Research Fellowship in Germany (Fully Funded)

Why You Should Apply for the DAAD Research Grants for Doctoral Programs?

DAAD Grants for Research provides a full Package that not only covers your tuition fees but it will also Funds other expenses including:

• Funding for a Doctoral project
• Research phases outside Germany
• Monthly Payments of 1,300 euros
• Payments toward health, accident, and personal liability insurance cover.
• Travel allowance to/from Germany after the completion.
• Annual research allowance of € 460
• Monthly rent subsidy
• Monthly allowance for accompanying family members

Who can Apply?

You can apply if you have completed a Bachelor’s, master’s degree, or Diploma. In some exception cases, a bachelor’s degree can apply at the latest by the time the funding period begins.

Also Check:  List of Tuition Free Universities in Germany (Updated 2024)

Funding Duration

Funding is provided for a maximum of four years.

Selection Criteria

• Qualification : Quality of your grades, achievements, GPA, Academic, knowledge of English, publications, lectures, conference papers/
• Quality of Research Project : Quality of research proposal (originality, relevance, choice of host institution)
• The potential of the Applicant : Your interest and the Motivation.

Also Check:  BS MS PhD Scholarships in Germany

Required Documents

Prepare these documents to upload in the application portal:

• Online application form
• Europass CV Format .
• List of publications (if applicable).
• Letter of motivation  (1-2 pages).
• Research proposal
• Schedule for planned research work.
• Letter of admission to a study program.
• University degree certificate and transcripts.
• Supporting letter of recommendation.
• Proof of English Language Skills.

How to Apply?

If you want to apply, first you need to select your country of citizenship under the ‘application procedure”. Then it will tell you all the information regarding the application process, the requirements, and the deadline according to your citizenship.

To submit your application please visit the official website link given below.

VISIT HERE TO APPLY FOR THE DAAD RESEARCH GRANTS

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DLR-DAAD Research Fellowships“ is a programme implemented by the 'German Aerospace Center' (DLR) and the 'German Academic Exchange Service' (DAAD).

DLR is Germany´s national research center for aeronautics and space. Its extensive research and development work in Aeronautics, Space, Energy, Transport, Digitalisation and Security is integrated into national and international cooperative ventures. As Germany´s space agency, DLR has been given responsibility for the forward planning and the implementation of the German space program by the German federal government as well as for the international representation of German interests. Approximately 10,000 people plus approx. 550 visiting scientists are employed in DLR´s 55 institutes and facilities at 30 locations in Germany.

This special programme is intended for highly-qualified foreign graduate, doctoral and postdoctoral students as well as senior scientists from the fields of Aeronautics, Space, Transportation, Energy, Digitalisation and Security . DLR-DAAD Fellowships offer outstanding scientists and researchers the opportunity to conduct special research at the institutes of the DLR in Germany.

Please note that within the DLR-DAAD programme, you cannot apply for a university or another institution, only for a DLR institute.

DLR-DAAD Fellowships are defined and awarded on an individual basis. Each Fellowship announcement will indicate the specific qualification requirements and terms of the visit. The current offers are published under DLR-DAAD Fellowships - Current Offers.

Fellowship Types, Duration and Fellowship Value 

• Target Group - Graduate Student 
• Fellowship Goal - Research in Germany 
• Funding Duration - 9 months 
• Monthly Instalment - 934 Euros 
• Possible Additional Payments - e.g. flat-rate travel allowance, rent subsidy, health insurance family allowances 
• Target Group - Doctoral Students
• Fellowship Goal - Doctorate in Germany
• Funding Duration - 36 months
• Monthly Instalment - 1,760 Euros
• Possible Additional Payments - e.g. flat-rate travel allowance, rent subsidy, health insurance, family allowances
• Target Group - Postdoctoral Students
• Fellowship Goal - Research in Germany
• Funding Duration - 6 to 24 months
• Monthly Instalment - 2,400 Euros
• Possible Additional Payments - none
• Target Group - Senior Scientists
• Funding Duration - 1 to 3 months
• Monthly Instalment - 2,760 Euros

Fellowships are always awarded for the length of the research stay in Germany. The host DLR institute and the fellowship candidate will agree upon the length of this term.

Application Requirements

At the time of their application, applicants for a DLR-DAAD Fellowship must

• not be of German nationality,
• be able to prove their outstanding study or research achievements in the field of research corresponding to the fellowship offer,
• Type B : have completed their studies or research with a university degree not more than six years ago, Type C : have completed their studies with a doctorate/PhD/Candidate (Russia) not more than two years ago, Type D : applicants must be working in higher education or at a research institute; positions are open to outstandingly-qualified academics and scientists who should generally hold a doctorate/Ph.D., additional prerequisites may differ and are stated in the fellowship offers,
• have an excellent knowledge of English; knowledge of German is advantageous.

Application

The application procedure occurs online through the DAAD portal.

The following documents have to be uploaded to the DAAD portal: 

• Online Application form; 
• Cover page; 
• Statement of the reasons for applying for a certain fellowship; Appendix; 
• Complete curriculum vitae; 
• Abstract of the final Bachelor (or equivalent) thesis; 
• Bachelor or similar degree certificate indicating final grade(s): the certificate must be subsequently submitted before the grant-supported research begins if it is not yet available at the time of application; 
• German or English translation of documents submitted in the national language; 
• All university certificates on all annual examinations with individual grade(s), incl. explanation of grading system; 
• Proof of enrollment for Master´s programme 
• Proof of English proficiency 
• One letter of recommendation from a professor of the applicant´s home institution 

Type B & C:

The following documents have to be uploaded to the DAAD portal:

• Online application form;
• Cover page;
• Statement of the reasons for applying for a certain fellowship: Appendix;
• Complete curriculum vitae;
• List of publications, if applicable;
• Abstract of the final Master or PhD thesis (max. 3 pages);
• University degree certificate indicating final grade(s): the certificate must be subsequently submitted before the grant-supported research begins if it is not available at the time of application;
• English language certificate (e.g. TOEFL IBT: min. 79; IELTS: min. 6.5);
• German or English translation of documents submitted in the national language;
• All university certificates on all annual examinations with individual grade(s), incl. explanation of grading system.

Applicants are not required to submit any confirmation of academic supervision.

Documents to be sent to the DAAD application address by post:

Two letters of recommendation, which should be written by senior academics of the applicant´s own choice. The form of the letter of recommendation has to be generated in the DAAD portal in the section "Request reference" after registration and downloaded. Please send the form by e-mail to your referees and ask for the completed reference form to be sent to the application address in Bonn in a sealed envelope. References are confidential and must not be read by the applicant.

The letters of recommendation cannot be accepted in digital form and must be sent by your referees by regular mail to the DAAD head office in Bonn. The letters of recommendation must arrive 4 weeks after the application was uploaded in the DAAD portal at the latest, at the address:

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Section ST43/DLR Kennedyallee 50 53175 Bonn Germany

• List of publications.

Application deadline

If an application deadline exists, it is mentioned in the current offers. The DLR-DAAD scholarships are awarded with the principle „first come first serve", therefore fellowship offers may sometimes be allocated to other applicants while your application is still processed.

To apply, please go to the DAAD scholarship database ( www.funding-guide.de ) and search for DLR. From here, you can enter the portal by clicking the tab "Submitting an application". Please be aware that only complete applications will be accepted. Applicants are responsible for their applications’ completeness.

Important Notice

By applying for a fellowship within the DLR-DAAD Research Fellowships Programme you give your consent to the DAAD to forward your documents and your personal details to DLR and its relevant institutions. The DAAD and the DLR will not pass on your details to third parties.

Section ST43 German Academic Exchange Service Postfach 200404 D-53134 Germany E-mail: [email protected]

Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst e.V. Kennedyallee 50 53175 Bonn

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PhD Student Donald Fonseca Awarded NOAA Fellowship

Donald Fonseca, a PhD student in the College of Natural Sciences’s Department of Environmental Conservation, was recently awarded a Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The fellowship will support Donald's work in assessing the ecological and socioeconomic efficacy of nature-based infrastructure for enhancing climate resilience in the Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve (CNERR).  

This is considered a very competitive fellowship in the field, and NOAA’s selection of Fonseca’s research is a product of the strength of the proposal. Of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System’s 30 designated areas , only one person was chosen for each reserve from a national pool. Fonseca will represent the CNERR. 

“The specter of climate change looms large over estuarine habitats and coastal communities, posing an imminent threat to their ecological integrity and the well-being of their inhabitants,” explained Fonseca. “As a result, municipalities grappling with distressing environmental challenges often bear a disproportionate burden of diverse and adverse climate impacts and are less resilient.”  

In the CNERR, a region characterized by its unique ecological significance, a sizeable portion of the state's environmental justice communities find themselves situated within the watershed, underscoring the urgency of understanding and addressing the localized ramifications of climate change. In response to these challenges, the adoption of nature-based solutions has become a strategy to enhance community resilience in the face of climate change.  

As effective as nature-based solutions may be, a critical research gap exists: to date, there has not been a comprehensive assessment conducted to understand the impacts of climate change on communities within the reserve, particularly the disproportionate effects on environmental justice communities. This underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of the ecological and socioeconomic efficacy of nature-based infrastructure mitigation strategies at the local level.  

“The CNERR is a crucible for investigating the intricate relationships between climate change, ecosystem services, and community well-being,” argued Fonseca. “The ecosystem services provided by this reserve's estuarine habitats play a vital role in supporting the livelihoods of local communities, making it imperative to assess the extent of their vulnerability to climate change. Moreover, the efficacy of nature-based solutions, often heralded as a panacea for climate resilience, needs rigorous examination, including the exploration of their pros and cons in the context of the reserve.” 

The research, made possible through the Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship, will allow Fonseca to address the following priority management needs of the CNERR: 

• Estuarine habitats and coastal communities are threatened by climate change. 
• Distressed municipalities are often disproportionately impacted by these effects, with 44% of Connecticut’s environmental justice communities located within the reserve’s watershed. 
• Nature-based infrastructure is promoted as a method of increasing community resilience to climate change, but the ecosystem services provided and the impact on local communities are largely underassessed at the local level.  
• The reserve’s partners need more research on the ecological and socioeconomic efficacy of these mitigation strategies, and social science research to better understand the barriers to adopting nature-based strategies.  

Furthermore, Fonesca’s work proposes the following benefits and outcomes:  

• A comprehensive understanding of the relationships between ecosystem services, climate change impacts, and nature-based solutions in the CNERR.  
• The identification of vulnerable areas and communities through spatial analysis.  
• An assessment of the climate sensitivity of ecosystem services, the development of targeted adaptation strategies, and an analysis of the economic, ecological, and social feasibility of nature-based solutions for increased community resilience. 
• The development of outreach strategies, including informational resources and stakeholder engagement, to promote implementing nature-based solutions in the refuge. 

The multidimensional approach to this research, which includes quantification, environmental justice, resilience, and actionable strategies, aims to not only conserve the CNERR but also set a precedent for bolstering similar ecosystems worldwide. By quantifying ecological metrics and integrating considerations of environmental justice, the research enhances understanding of ecosystem dynamics and vulnerabilities in the face of climate change.  

“This comprehensive approach not only informs academic discourse but also provides practical tools for stakeholders to implement sustainable practices and resilience-building strategies tailored to their specific ecological contexts,” Fonseca contended. “By safeguarding CNERR as a unique natural asset, this research underscores the importance of preserving biodiversity and ecosystem services crucial for building resilient and sustainable communities globally, thus contributing significantly to global conservation efforts in the face of environmental challenges.” 

To learn more about the Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship, click here .

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The Howard Hughes Medical Institute congratulates 50 graduate students in science and their advisers who were named to the 2024 cohort of the Gilliam Fellows Program on July 9. These student-adviser pairs are recognized for their outstanding research as well as their commitments to advancing equity and inclusion in science.

This year’s Gilliam Fellows hail from 43 institutions in the US, including 10 schools celebrating their first-ever Gilliam Fellows award. Administered by HHMI’s Center for the Advancement of Science Leadership and Culture (CASLC), the Gilliam Fellows Program will provide each student-adviser pair with $53,000 in support each year for up to three years of the student’s dissertation research. This year’s cohort includes scientists working in a wide range of biomedical and life science areas including brain development and wiring, CRISPR-based epigenetic editors, and the molecular etiology of mood disorders. 

The Gilliam Fellows Program recognizes the importance of mentorship in developing tomorrow’s scientific leaders. Fellows join a vibrant community and are offered leadership training, professional development, and opportunities to engage with and learn from peers, program alumni, and HHMI scientists. Their advisers also join a cohort of peers, participate in HHMI’s intensive, one-year mentorship skills development course, and receive support to promote healthy and inclusive graduate training environments at their home institution.  

“This year’s Gilliam Fellows and their advisers are not only working at the cutting edge of scientific discovery, but they’re also forging new pathways for others to do the same,” says Blanton Tolbert , HHMI’s vice president of science leadership and culture. “Their dedication to creating environments in which researchers of all backgrounds can thrive will have an impact on science for generations to come.”

This marks the 19th year of the Gilliam Fellows Program competition and the first cohort to be named since the program transitioned from a nomination-based competition to a fully open competition. This transition helped increase the total number of program applications, leading to first-time Gilliam Fellows awards in Hawaiʻi, Montana, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Utah, and Washington, DC.  All told, the Gilliam Fellows Program received applications from a record-breaking 162 different institutions. With the addition of the 2024 cohort, the Gilliam community now totals 501 scientists, including those who have graduated from the program.

“We welcome and celebrate all of the newest members of the Gilliam community, especially those from institutions receiving their first-ever Gilliam Fellowship,” says Tolbert. “Together, these brilliant minds represent the future of science – a future in which individuals of diverse backgrounds and experiences come together to move science forward for the betterment of all.”

Each July, HHMI celebrates the announcement of the newest Gilliam Fellows on what has come to be known as “Gilliam Day.” The annual outpouring of support reflects how Gilliam Fellows – and the wider HHMI science community – come together to empower scientists of diverse backgrounds and experiences to achieve success.

“Gilliam is more than just a fellowship,” says Joshua Hall, senior program officer for the Gilliam Fellows Program. “All of our new fellows will join a community where they are truly celebrated and supported, not just for their scientific accomplishments, but also for the unique ways each and every one of them makes the science ecosystem a better place. Our current fellows consistently report that the community is the best part of being a Gilliam Fellow.”

The following institutions were awarded their first-ever Gilliam Fellowship this year: Clemson University; Georgetown University; the Medical University of South Carolina; Meharry Medical College; Montana State University; the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa; the University of Maryland, Baltimore; the University of Miami (Florida); the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras; and the University of Utah.

HHMI created the Gilliam Fellowships for Advanced Study, now called the Gilliam Fellows Program, in 2004 in honor of the late James H. Gilliam, Jr. A charter Trustee of HHMI, Gilliam was a respected business and civic leader who spent his life nurturing excellence and diversity in science and education. 

HHMI is the largest private biomedical research institution in the nation. Our scientists make discoveries that advance human health and our fundamental understanding of biology. We also invest in transforming science education into a creative, inclusive endeavor that reflects the excitement of research. HHMI’s headquarters are located in Chevy Chase, Maryland, just outside Washington, DC.  

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Provost’s Advisory Committee on Community Engaged Scholarship

Penn students: click here to browse opportunities to engage with the west philadelphia community.

• ABCS Courses
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2024-2026 Fellows

Taylor Tomlinson (left), Lupita Barrientos (middle), and Rebecca Winkler (right)

  Guadalupe (Lupita) Barrientos, Educational Linguistics, Graduate School of Education (PGAEF Faculty Advisor: Nelson Flores, Educational Linguistics, GSE) 

Lupita plans to teach the ABCS course "Latinxs in the US," which highlights perspectives often ignored and deemphasized within a homogenizing view of Latinxs and supports Penn undergraduate and CCATE (Centro de Cultura, Arte, Trabajo y Educación) high school student research partnerships. These partnerships investigate, reframe and collectively address inequities in Latinx youths' educational and linguistic experiences. Her research focuses on the co-naturalization of race and language and the impacts of these processes on Latinx communities, families, and students, especially as they experience them at the intersections of other minoritized identities. Before beginning her Ph.D., Lupita taught Kindergarten and bilingual second grade in Austin and San Antonio, Texas.

Taylor Tomlinson, Chemistry, School of Arts and Sciences (PGAEF Faculty Advisor: Elizabeth Rhoades, Chemistry, SAS) 

Taylor plans to design and teach an ABCS course on environmental factors that contribute to dementia risk, in which Penn students and Philadelphia public school students collaborate to identify micro communities at highest risk for developing dementias like Alzheimer’s disease, propose solutions to combat transportation noise, and implement interventions such as providing hearing protection. Taylor’s dissertation research utilizes chemical biology tools to investigate how Tau protein, implicated in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal dementia, spreads and propagates in disease. She is excited to combine her laboratory research skills with her belief in healthcare as a human right. Prior to starting her Ph.D at Penn, Taylor studied chemistry and sociology at the University of Pittsburgh.

Rebecca Winkler, Anthropology, School of Arts and Sciences (PGAEF Faculty Advisor: Fariha Khan, Asian American Studies, SAS)

Rebecca is a Ph.D. candidate in sociocultural anthropology who works with Karen speaking communities in Philadelphia and Rural Northern Thailand. Building on long term partnerships with Karen community leaders in Philadelphia who are developing Philadelphia’s first and only Karen led community organization, Rebecca plans to design and teach an ABCS course that will help build organizational capacity among Karen community organizers and foster new long-term institutional partnerships. The course will bring together literatures on forced migration and refugee resettlement with methods for participatory knowledge production and project design at the intersection of anthropology and environmental justice work. Rebecca is originally from Philadelphia, and prior to starting her Ph.D at Penn she worked in the community based environmental justice field in Thailand.

Belgium - 15 postdoc fellowships in all fields of knowledge at UC Louvain (FSR Post-doc 2025)

«FSR Post-doc 2025» call for incoming post-doctoral researchers in international mobility within your research entities has launched.

The 2025 call is funded by FSR funds and will allow to award  15 post-doctoral 3 years-fellowships.

Applications (maximum 1 proposal per supervisor) must be submitted electronically to the UCLouvain Research Administration ( [email protected] ) by Tuesday 1 October 2024 at 9am at the latest.

We draw your attention to the fact that:

1) The closing date of the call has been set to allow FSR post-doc laureates to start their term from March 2025 onwards if they wish;

2) The articulation with the F.R.S.-FNRS is mandatory:

• Candidates must also apply to the "Chargé de recherche" instrument of the F.R.S.-FNRS call for Fellowships and Mandates , which will open in the second half of December 2024 (call closes end of January 2025);
• The recipients of the FSR call will thus be guaranteed being funded even if they are not selected by the F.R.S.-FNRS;
• If the F.R.S.-FNRS ‘Chargé de Recherche’ is awarded, the recipients of the FSR call will be able to anticipate their stay in UCLouvain thanks to FSR funding.

3) If eligible, the applicants are also strongly encouraged to apply to the Horizon Europe MSCA (Marie Sklodowska-Curie actions) Postdoctoral Fellowships call. A call is currently open and closes on 11/09/2024. The next call will be issued on 09/04/2025, with a closing date of 10/09/2025.

4) The international mobility rule differs from what is applied for the Marie Sklodowska-Curie actions under Horizon Europe: the researcher cannot have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Belgium for more than 24 months in the 36 months immediately before the starting date of the project;

5) The selection process is as follows:

• Preselection by the Research Council;
• Proposals ranked A (at least three times the number of available grants) are evaluated by international peer reviewers;
• Interviews of all candidates ranked A.

All information on this call and the application form are available in attachments and on the following web page:  https://uclouvain.be/en/research/news/fsr-incoming-postdoctoral-fellows… ;

We also draw your attention to the fact that  other incoming mobility calls offer funding opportunities for post-doctoral researchers. Feel free to contact the ADRE (Researcher Mobility ADRE  [email protected] ) for more information on the conditions related to these calls.

UCLouvain contact person: Sara Wilmet  [email protected]

Deadline:  1 October 2024

Aktis Oncology Apponits Akos Czibere, MD, PhD, as Chief Medical Officer

Aktis Oncology , a clinical stage biotechnology company discovering and developing novel targeted alpha radiopharmaceuticals to treat a broad range of solid tumors, today announced the appointment of  Akos Czibere , MD, PhD , as Chief Medical Officer.  With nearly 20 years of experience in drug development for hematologic and solid tumor cancers, Dr. Czibere brings significant clinical and scientific expertise and leadership capabilities to the role.  Pankaj Bhargava , MD, who served as interim Chief Medical Officer in connection with his Entrepreneur Partner role at MPM BioImpact, will transition to Aktis’ Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).

“Akos’ broad experience and deep expertise in oncology drug development and regulatory affairs further strengthens our capabilities to deliver on the significant patient impact potential of our first-in-class Nectin-4-targeted miniprotein radioconjugate, as well as the multiple programs to follow,” said  Matthew Roden , PhD , President and Chief Executive Officer of Aktis. “We thank Pankaj for his contributions to Aktis and look forward to his continued impact as a member of our SAB.”

In his nearly 20-year career, Dr. Czibere oversaw several functional areas, filed a number of Investigational New Drug applications and successfully led multiple global registration programs in solid tumors and hematological malignancies with approvals in the US, EU,  Japan ,  China  and other regions. Most recently, Dr. Czibere held the position of Vice President and Therapeutic Area Head of Hematology-Oncology at Pfizer Inc., where he led global development strategies for a portfolio of innovative therapies, and played a pivotal role in the development and global registration of several novel treatments for a variety of cancers including the PARP inhibitor TALZENNA and the T-cell engager ELREXFIO. Prior to Pfizer, Dr. Czibere served as Vice President, Clinical Development at Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, where he designed and executed patient-centric clinical trials from first-in-human through proof of concept.  Dr. Czibere received an MD and PhD from the University of  Duesseldorf, Germany , and conducted a postdoctoral research fellowship at  Harvard Medical School . He has authored over 60 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals.

“I am honored to be joining the leadership team at Aktis at a pivotal time in the company’s growth,” said Dr. Czibere. “The Aktis team has built an impressive pipeline of alpha-emitting radiopharmaceuticals that have the potential to offer novel treatment options for patients with cancer.”

Aktis Oncology is a clinical stage biotechnology company pioneering the discovery and development of novel targeted alpha radiopharmaceuticals to treat a broad range of solid tumor cancers. Founded and incubated by MPM BioImpact, the company has developed proprietary platforms to generate tumor targeting agents with ideal properties for alpha radiopharmaceuticals. The company’s first among several pipeline programs targets Nectin-4, a tumor-associated antigen found in urothelial and other cancers. Designed for high tumor penetration and long residence time, Aktis Oncology’s molecules will quickly clear other areas of the body, thereby maximizing anticancer activity while minimizing side effects of treatment. This approach would further enable clinicians to visualize and verify target engagement prior to exposure to therapeutic radioisotopes. Aktis Oncology also has a strategic collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company. To learn more about Aktis Oncology, visit  www.aktisoncology.com .

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