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Applications are now open for the 2-year research fellowship by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Sustainable Development in Germany.
Opportunity Details
The Foundation offers the Georg Forster Research Fellowship for Sustainable Development to experienced and postdoctoral researchers in all disciplines. Applicants should be from developing and emerging countriesand have above-average qualifications. According to the UN definition, applications from women and people from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are particularly welcome.
By offering this fellowship opportunity, the Humboldt Foundation recognizes the important role of researchers from the mentioned countries in achieving the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals. Thus, the Foundation provides them with sponsorship equivalent to the Humboldt Research Fellowship.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is the financing body behind this fellowship program.
By providing these Fellowships for postdoctoral researchers, the Humboldt Foundation supports highly qualified scientists and scholars who are just beginning their academic careers. For the postdoctoral scheme, applicants must have completed their doctorates in the last four years to spend a research period of 6-24 months in Germany.
For an experienced research scheme, applicants must have completed their doctorates within the last twelve years. By providing the proof, they will be able to spend periods of research, ranging from 6 to 18 months, which can be divided into a maximum of three blocks, in Germany. Applicants should hold a position at the Junior Research Group Leader or Assistant Professor level, or be able to demonstrate independent research work over several years.
Selected fellows will undertake the research in collaboration with academic hosts at research organizations or institutions in Germany. Fellows will choose their topic of study, and their host will prepare their research outline independently. Both parties, fellows, and host, should agree on the outline of the research details, including the intended duration of the Fellowship, before applying. Please note that short-term visits for training and study purposes or for attending conferences are not eligible for sponsorship.
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
Benefit from research sponsorship in Germany at the beginning of your academic career. The Georg Forster Research Fellowship for postdocs enables you to conduct research in Germany. The monthly fellowship amount is €2,700 plus additional benefits. Fellowships may last from 6 to 24 months and can be divided into up to three stays within three years.
Experienced researchers
You can still apply for research sponsorship in Germanyeven 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 €3,200 plus additional benefits. 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 and additional benefits, 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 partner will be able to attend an intensive German language course.
Further financial support, including family benefits for children and partners, subsidies for private full health insurance and allowances for travel expenses, is also available.
The Georg Forster Research Fellowship is exclusively for postdocs with above-average qualifications from developing or transition countries. Your research must address questions relevant to the sustainable development of your region of origin, regardless of your 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 Georg Forster Research Fellowship for postdocs.
Did you complete your doctorate – or equivalent 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 Georg Forster 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.
To successfully apply for the Georg Forster Research Fellowship, your research should make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of your region of origin. You must also fulfil the following criteria:
Nationality
You must be a citizen of a developing or transition country – excluding PR China and India (see list of countries).
Place of residence/stay
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 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.
Please note: 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.
Only experienced researchers: If you are not living in a country from the list of countries at the time of application, you must additionally have a permanent job in one of the developing or transition countries on the list.
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
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 Georg Forster Research Fellowship if you have already received sponsorship from the Humboldt Foundation. In such cases, our alumni programmes are open to you.
If you would like to apply for the Georg Forster 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.
Please note that you may only submit your application once you have uploaded the following documents to 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 February, June and October. 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 outside of eligible countries – 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 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 your rejected application. In the case of unanimously rejected applications, you must unfortunately wait a minimum of 18 months before re-applying.
Apply for Georg Forster Research Fellowship for Sustainable Development