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.
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.
Benefits
Postdocs: Benefit from research sponsorship in Germany at the beginning of your academic career. The Georg Forster 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.
Experience Researchers: You can still apply for research sponsorship in Germany even if you are already well advanced in your academic career. The Georg Forster Research Fellowship for experienced researchers enables you to conduct research in Germany. The monthly 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 German 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.
Eligibility
You must be a citizen of a developing or transition country – excluding PR China and India;
You must have lived and worked in a developing or transition country for at least 12 months within the last 18 months (excluding PR China and India). If you are not living in a country from the list of countries at the time of application, you must additionally have at least a permanent job in one of the countries on the list.
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 in one of the developing or transition countries from the list for at least five years and you intend to do so long-term.
You should confirm that 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.
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.
Application Process
Note that you may only submit your application once you have uploaded the following documents to the application form:
curriculum vitae (two pages max)
research outline (five pages max)
complete list of your publications (cf.sample list, PDF)
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: acceptance form and/or publisher’s acknowledgment of receipt and summaries/translations of key publications that are not available in German or English
In addition: host’s statement and confirmation that research facilities are available, as well as two expert reviews. 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 they have received your online application, they will send you written confirmation by email. After reviewing your documents, they will notify you of the expected selection date.
