1. The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Connecting academic excellence worldwide
Knowledge transfer and cooperation at the highest level
The Foundation sponsors top-flight foreign scientists and scholars who come to Germany on the strength of research fellowships and research awards to spend extended periods of time working together with German colleagues; it cultivates the relationships ensuing from these visits.
Melanie Schmitz: 4c

2. Humboldt Foundation Areas of Work
exchange of academics as a part of foreign cultural policy
strengthening cutting-edge research through internationalisation
impetus for the research location Germany
promoting development through academic cooperation
mobility counselling in the European context
The Humboldt Foundation is active in various fields:
it arranges the exchange of academics as part of foreign cultural policy
it strengthens cutting-edge research through internationalisation
it makes it possible for individuals who provide an impetus for the research location, Germany, to spend time researching here
it promotes development by sponsoring cooperation with researchers from threshold and developing countries
it provides mobility counselling for researchers from abroad in the context of its European activities, even if they are not Humboldtians

3. Academic Excellence sole selection criterion: academic excellence
sponsorship for people, not projects
flexible sponsorship programmes for cutting-edge researchers at all stages of their careers
no quotas for countries or disciplines
free choice of academic host/collaboration partner in Germany
worldwide excellence network of Humboldtians
The Humboldt Foundation sponsors people, not projects. It is not projects that are selected but people who hold the promise of academic excellence. Flexible sponsorship programmes for cutting-edge researchers at all stages of their careers. Those chosen on this basis should be given as much freedom as possible to carry out their proposals. This includes choosing their host institutions themselves. In this way, a worldwide network of excellence has grown up over the last five decades, comprising people who have a special relationship to the Humboldt Foundation, to Germany and to each other.

4. Humboldt Foundation Programmes
Flexible sponsorship programmes for cutting-edge researchers at all
stages of their careers
for postdoctoral researchers
(scientists who completed their doctorate less than 4 years ago)
Research Fellowships: 6 to 24 months; 2,250 EUR per month
for junior research group leaders (scientists who completed their doctorate less than 6 years ago)
Sofja Kovalevskaja Award; 1.65 mill. EUR
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation offers flexible sponsorship programmes for cutting-edge researchers at all stages of their careers.
Postdoctoral researchers who are just embarking on their academic careers and who completed their doctorates less than four years ago, may apply for extended periods of research (6-24 months) in Germany.
The Sofja Kovalevskaja Award is open to scientists and scholars from abroad who completed their doctorates with distinction less than six years ago (when your completed application is received at the Foundation) and have published work in prestigious international journals or publishing houses.
Winners of the Sofja Kovalevskaja Award will be granted funding totalling up to 1.65 million EUR during the period of 2008 to 2013 to conduct the approved research project. The award money allows the winners to finance their own working group at a university or non-university research establishment of their own choice in Germany and also covers their living expenses.

5. Humboldt Foundation Programmes
for experienced researchers (scientists who completed their doctorate less than 12 years ago) with an own, clearly defined academic profile
Research Fellowships: 6 to 18 months; 2,450 EUR per month
Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award; 45,000 €, nomination
Research Fellowships for experienced researchers are the instrument with which the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation enables highly-qualified scientists and scholars from abroad, who completed their doctorates less than twelve years ago, to spend extended periods of research (6-18 months; may be divided up into a maximum of three blocks) in Germany. Candidates are expected to have their own, clearly defined academic profile. This means they should usually be working at least at the level of Assistant Professor or Junior Research Group Leader or be able to document independent research work over a number of years.
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation awards Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Awards to internationally renowned scientists and scholars from abroad, who have received their doctoral degree within the past 12 years, in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments in research to date and their exceptional promise for the future. The award-winners are also invited to work on research projects of their own choice in cooperation with colleagues in Germany. The award amounts to 45,000 EUR. Nominations for Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Awards must be made by recognized scholars or scientists working at universities or research institutions in Germany. Direct applications are not accepted.

6. Contact Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Jean-Paul-Straße 12
53173 Bonn
Germany
Tel:
Fax:
If you have any questions about the Humboldt Foundation’s work or would like to obtain information on applications please contact directly.