Georg Forster Research Fellowship

Attention, researchers from developing and transition countries! The Georg Forster Research Fellowship supports postdoctoral and experienced researchers to conduct their research in Germany. Fellows will benefit from individual support from the Humboldt Foundation and their diverse sponsorship portfolio.

Through the Georg Forster Research Fellowship, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation sponsors researchers with above-average qualifications and from all fields. These researchers must come from developing and transition countries – excluding PR China and India (see list of countries, PDF). The research outline must deal with issues of major relevance to the future development of the candidate’s country or region of origin.

Who can apply?

Requirements for applicants include the following:

Postdocs:

doctorate or comparable academic degree completed less than four years prior to the date of application
academic publications reviewed according to international standards and printed in journals and/or by publishing houses
choice of a research outline of major relevance to the future development of the candidate’s country or region of origin
confirmation that research facilities are available and mentoring agreement at a host research institution in Germany
language skills: humanities or social sciences and medicine: good knowledge of German if it is necessary to carry out the research successfully; otherwise a good knowledge of English;
natural sciences and engineering: good knowledge of German or English
citizenship and principal place of residence and work in a developing country, emerging economy or transition state (excluding PR China and India)

Experienced researchers:

doctorate or comparable academic degree completed less than twelve years prior to the date of application
own research profile documented by a comprehensive list of academic publications reviewed according to international standards and printed in journals and/or by publishing houses
choice of a research outline of major relevance to the future development of the candidate’s country or region of origin
confirmation that research facilities are available and mentoring agreement at a host research institution in Germany
language skills: humanities or social sciences and medicine: good knowledge of German if it is necessary to carry out the research successfully; otherwise a good knowledge of English;
natural sciences and engineering: good knowledge of German or English
citizenship and principal place of residence and work in a developing country, emerging economy or transition state (excluding PR China and India)

For all details, please consult the programme information for postdocs (PDF) and the programme information for experienced researchers (PDF).

What form does funding take?

The main scholarship benefits are as follows:

The Georg Forster 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 for research costs.

Postdocs:

fellowships from 6 to 24 months
monthly fellowship amount is 2,670 euros
lump sum for the fellow’s return travel expenses if the costs are not borne by a third party
language fellowship for an intensive language course
family allowances for accompanying family members
subsidy towards research costs to be paid to the hosts in Germany amounting to 800 euros per month (for research in the natural sciences and engineering) and 500 euros (for research in the humanities and social sciences)
extensive alumni sponsorship

Experienced researchers:

fellowships from 6 to 18 months; may be divided up into a maximum of three blocks within three years
monthly fellowship worth 3,170 euros
lump sum for the fellow’s return travel expenses if the costs are not borne by a third party
language fellowship for an intensive language course
family allowances for accompanying family members
subsidy towards research costs to be paid to the hosts in Germany amounting to 800 euros per month (for research in the natural sciences and engineering) and 500 euros (for research in the humanities and social sciences)
extensive alumni sponsorship

For all details, please consult the programme information for postdocs (PDF) and the programme information for experienced researchers (PDF).

When is the closing date for applications?

Applications can be submitted at any time.

Terms and conditions of application

The terms and conditions of application can be found here:

www.humboldt-foundation.de > Georg Forster Research Fellowship

Your goal

Are you aiming for a PhD or postdoc position? Here you will find information on your research career in Germany.

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