Scholarship Guides Humboldt Research Fellowship (Germany): How to Apply
Germany · Application Guide
The Humboldt Research Fellowship sponsors postdoctoral and experienced researchers of all nationalities and research fields to conduct their own research in Germany, with a host at a German research institution of their choice. Applications are submitted online only to the Humboldt Foundation, and you cannot apply alone. You must first secure a host in Germany who provides a mentoring agreement, confirms research facilities, and uploads their own documents before the Foundation will forward your application.
Administered by: The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Federal Republic of Germany)
Written by Zain Aqdas, Founder and lead researcher, Scholarships AtlasLast updated 3 September 2026
Choose a host at a German research institution who agrees to mentor your research. Your host provides a mentoring agreement, confirms research facilities are available, and later uploads a detailed statement and their documents through the application portal.
The programme runs three application calls per year, each opening about eight months before the selection meeting (2026 calls: 15 March, 15 July, 15 November). Each call is capped at 800 applications. When the cap is reached, the call closes until the next round. Register and start your application only while a call is open.
Upload in the online form: curriculum vitae (2 pages max), research outline (5 pages max), complete list of publications, list of selected key publications with the key publications themselves, doctoral certificate, German language certificate (if required), and translations where needed.
Two expert reviewers (e.g. your doctoral supervisor plus another researcher, ideally outside your institute) upload their reviews personally into a protected area of the portal. Your application can only be submitted once these are uploaded while the portal is open.
Your host uploads their statement and confirmation of research facilities. Only after all documents are in place is the application forwarded to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.
The Foundation verifies completeness (4-8 weeks), obtains peer reviews and reviews the application (approx. 3-6 months), and presents it to the selection committee (meetings in Feb/Mar, Jun/Jul, Oct/Nov). Around 20-25% of applications are approved. Decisions cannot be appealed, but you may reapply with a substantially improved application (a minimum 18-month wait applies after unanimous rejection).
Dates move every year — always confirm on the official portal before planning around them.