Georg Forster Research Fellowship 2025 in Germany (Fully Funded)

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation awards the Georg Forster Research Fellowship to outstanding researchers from developing and emerging countries (except India and China) across all disciplines, with a special encouragement for female scientists to apply in support of gender equality (UN SDG 5). The Foundation values diversity and welcomes applicants regardless of background or identity. The fellowship provides a monthly stipend, covers travel costs including economy airfare, health insurance contributions, family support, research subsidies, and offers integration support such as language courses, allowing researchers to focus fully on their work in Germany.

Eligibility

• Target candidates:
  • Postdocs with above-average qualifications from developing or transition countries.
  • Research must address sustainable development issues relevant to your home region, regardless of discipline.
• Postdoctoral applicants:
  • Completed your doctorate (or equivalent) within the last 4 years, or within 6 months of completion with a written summary of findings.
  • Have publications in internationally peer-reviewed academic journals or publishing houses.
• Experienced researchers:
  • Completed your doctorate (or equivalent) within the last 12 years.
  • Have an extensive publication record in internationally peer-reviewed journals or publishing houses.
  • If a doctorate is uncommon in your field or country, you may apply up to 16 years after your master’s or postgraduate degree with a matching publication record.
• Nationality and residency:
  • Must be a citizen of a developing or transition country (excluding China and India).
  • Must have lived and worked in a qualifying country for at least 12 months within the last 18 months (excluding China and India).
  • If educated in Germany (university entrance and degree or degree and doctorate), you must have lived and worked in a qualifying country for at least 5 years and intend to continue doing so long-term.
  • Must not have lived in Germany for more than 6 months in total during the 18 months before applying.
• Additional for experienced researchers not currently living in a qualifying country:
  • Must have a permanent job in a listed developing or transition country.
• Host institution requirements:
  • A researcher from a German academic institution must provide a mentoring agreement, confirm research facilities, and write a detailed review.
• Language skills:
  • Natural sciences and engineering: good knowledge of German or English required.
  • Humanities, social sciences, medicine: good German if needed for research; otherwise, good English suffices.
• Other requirements:
  • Must follow good scientific practice and ethics.
  • Cannot apply if you have already received Humboldt Foundation sponsorship (alumni programmes are available instead)

Program Dates/Location

• Application Deadlines: Every February, June, and October
  • Send before October finishes
• Location: Fellowship recipients conduct their research at a host institution in Germany, arranged with a German researcher who provides a mentoring agreement and confirms available research facilities.
• Program duration: The fellowship generally lasts between 6 to 24 months, depending on the nature and scope of the research project.
• Start Date: between two and twelve months after being selected

Note: Due to a high volume of applications, only complete and fully compliant submissions will be processed. Incomplete or non-compliant applications, such as those missing key documents or not following guidelines, will be rejected without review.

Program Benefits

• Monthly stipend to cover living expenses (€2,700–€3,200 depending on experience).
• Travel costs, including economy airfare to and from Germany.
• Health insurance subsidies.
• Family support benefits for accompanying partners and children.
• Research cost subsidies for the host institution.
• Integration support, such as intensive German language courses before the fellowship starts.

Required Documents

• Curriculum vitae (max 2 pages)
• Research outline (max 5 pages)
• Complete list of publications (see sample list)
• List of key publications (see sample list)
• Key publications (full texts)
• Doctoral certificate or proof of successful completion, or confirmation that you will complete your doctorate within 6 months
• German language certificate, if required
• If needed: acceptance form and/or publisher’s acknowledgement of receipt, plus summaries/translations of key publications not available in German or English

Additionally, the following must be provided by your host and expert reviewers:

• Host’s statement confirming research facilities are available
• Two expert reviews

Note: The host and reviewers must upload their documents themselves in a protected area. Your application can only be submitted once these are uploaded.

Application Process

For more detailed information, visit the official website of Alexander Von Humboldt.