The Funded Georg Forster Research Fellowships are prestigious awards offered by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany. These fellowships are named after the renowned German naturalist and explorer Georg Forster, who is celebrated for his contributions to science and his advocacy for human rights and international understanding. The fellowships are specifically designed for researchers from developing and transition countries, providing them with an opportunity to conduct long-term research in Germany.
The primary aim of the Georg Forster Research Fellowships is to foster scientific collaboration and knowledge exchange between German institutions and researchers from around the world. The programme supports postdoctoral and experienced researchers in undertaking high-quality research projects that address development-related issues. The fellowship is highly competitive, awarded to scholars with a proven track record of academic excellence and a strong potential to contribute to the socio-economic development of their home countries.
Recipients of the Georg Forster Research Fellowships receive comprehensive support that includes a generous monthly stipend, allowances for travel and family, and funding for research-related expenses. In addition to financial support, fellows benefit from access to cutting-edge research facilities, libraries, and other resources at their host institutions in Germany. The fellowship duration ranges from 6 to 24 months for postdoctoral researchers and 6 to 18 months for experienced researchers, with the possibility of an extension.
The fellowship programme places a strong emphasis on creating sustainable and long-term partnerships. Fellows are encouraged to maintain collaborative links with their German host institutions and fellow researchers even after the conclusion of their fellowship. This ongoing collaboration helps to build enduring academic networks that can contribute to the global exchange of knowledge and expertise.
Moreover, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation provides additional opportunities for professional development and networking through events, workshops, and conferences. Fellows become part of the Humboldt network, a global community of scholars and alumni that offers ongoing support and opportunities for collaboration. This network fosters a sense of belonging and mutual support among researchers from diverse backgrounds.
The Funded Georg Forster Research Fellowships are instrumental in promoting international scientific cooperation and development. By supporting researchers from developing and transition countries, the programme not only advances individual academic careers but also contributes to addressing global challenges and fostering sustainable development. The fellowships exemplify the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s commitment to excellence, international understanding, and the global exchange of knowledge.
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation grants the Georg Forster Research Fellowship to researchers in all disciplines from developing and emerging countries who have above-average qualifications. We particularly welcome applications from female scientists.
With this fellowship the Humboldt Foundation acknowledges the important role of researchers from these countries in achieving the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals and thus provides them with sponsorship that is equivalent to the Humboldt Research Fellowship. In providing Georg Forster Research Fellowships for postdoctoral researchers, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation enables highly-qualified scientists and scholars from abroad who are just embarking on their academic careers and who completed their doctorates less than four years ago1 to spend extended periods of research (6-24 months) in Germany.
Selection Criteria
- Candidates are selected solely on the basis of the evaluation of their academic qualifications. There are no quotas for individual disciplines or countries. A candidate’s academic eligibility is assessed on the basis of the following criteria:
- academic record and academic performance to date (mobility, determination, breadth of research activities, academic productivity)
- quality of key publications specified in the application (originality, degree of innovation, applicant’s contribution in cases of multiple authorship)
- originality and innovation potential of the suggested research outline (significance for the advancement of the discipline, convincing choice of academic methods, prospects for academic development of the applicant, clear focus and feasibility of realization within the requested funding period and at the chosen host institution)
- the applicant’s future potential (academic potential, further academic development, career prospects).
Funded Georg Forster Research Fellowships Requirements
- Doctorate or comparable academic degree (Ph.D., C.Sc. or equivalent), completed less than four years prior to the date of application. Candidates who have nearly completed their doctoral degrees are eligible to apply provided that they submit the manuscript of their dissertation or publications containing the results of their dissertation, however, at the earliest, 6 months prior to the completion of their dissertation.
- 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 and a detailed expert’s statement by an academic host at a research institution in Germany.
- Expert reviews from the doctoral supervisor and one other academic qualified to give well-founded comments on the applicant’s qualification, preferably including reviewers not working at the applicant’s own institute.
- Necessary 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 of an eligible country (detailed list of countries). 8. long-term principal place of residence and work in an eligible country. The following mobility rules apply (key date: submission of application):
Benefits
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.
Additionally to the monthly fellowship rate of 2,500 EUR, the following benefits can be granted:
- Mobility lump sum as a subsidy for expenses in connection with necessary conference and research trips, archive and library stays, etc. in Germany and abroad;
- Subsidy towards the cost of medical and liability insurance;
- 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 lasting two to four months at selected language institutes in Germany immediately prior to the actual period of research; language fellowships may also be granted to accompanying marital partners; family allowances for accompanying family members staying at least three months
- for single parents: flat-rate allowance for accompanying children (under the age of 18) for stays of at least three months
- additional extension of the fellowship up to 12 months for research fellows accompanied by children under the age of 12;
- Europe allowance for a research stay at a research institute in another European country (though not the research fellow’s own country); for a designated period in the course of the fellowship if necessary to ensure the success of the research;
- A subsidy towards research costs to be paid to the hosts in Germany amounting to 800 EUR per month (for research in the natural sciences and engineering) and 500 EUR (for research in the humanities and social sciences);
- Extensive alumni sponsorship once a successful research stay has come to an end, especially for maintaining contacts with collaborative partners in Germany during the Humboldtian’s entire academic career.
Application Deadline: Ongoing.
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