Every year, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation enables more than 2,000 researchers from all over the world to spend time researching in Germany. The Foundation maintains a network of more than 24,000 Humboldtians from all disciplines in over 130 countries worldwide – including 43 Nobel Prize winners.

Submit an application if you are a researcher from a developing country with above average qualifications, completed your doctorate less than twelve years ago, already have your own research profile and are working at least at the level of Assistant Professor or Junior Research Group Leader or have a record of several years of independent academic work. A Georg Forster Research Fellowship for experienced researchers allows you to carry out a long-term research project (6−18 months) you have selected yourself in cooperation with an academic host you have selected yourself at a research institution in Germany. The fellowship is flexible and can be divided up into as many as three stays within three years.

Scientists and scholars of all disciplines from developing and threshold countries (excluding People’s Republic of China and India; c.f. detailed list of countries) may apply to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation directly at any time. The research proposal must address issues of significant relevance to the further development of your country of origin and, in this context, promise to facilitate the transfer knowledge and methods to developing and threshold countries.

The Humboldt Foundation grants up to 60 Georg Forster Research Fellowships for postdoctoral researchers and experienced researchers annually. Short-term study visits, participation in congresses and training courses cannot be financed.

1. Doctorate or comparable academic degree (Ph.D., C.Sc. or equivalent), completed less than twelve years prior to the date of application. If it is not possible or customary to take a doctorate in the candidate’s subject or country, applications may be submitted up to twelve years after commencing publication activity.

2. The candidate’s own research profile documented by a comprehensive list of academic publications in reviewed journals and for publishing houses.

3. Choice of a research project of major relevance to the future development of the candidate’s country of origin, including options for transferring knowledge and methods; details of the research project and the proposed timetable must be discussed with the prospective host prior to application.

4. Confirmation that research facilities are available and a detailed expert’s report from an academic host at a research institution in Germany.

5. Expert references from important collaborative partners and/or academics from the candidate’s own institute and, if possible, from abroad.

6. Language skills: scholars in the humanities or social sciences and physicians must have a good knowledge of German if it is necessary to carry out the project successfully; otherwise a good knowledge of English; scientists and engineers must have a good knowledge of German or English.

7. The applicant may not have spent an extended period in Germany prior to application. Applications to continue a research stay already underway can only be considered in exceptional cases. If in doubt, candidates who have been in Germany for more than six months at the time of application should consult the FAQs and check with the Humboldt Foundation (info(at)avh.de) whether formal requirements have been met before submitting an application.

8. Principal place of residence and work in a developing or threshold country (excluding People’s Republic of China and India, c.f. detailed list of countries).

9. The Humboldt Foundation assumes that candidates will abide by the Rules of Good Scientific Practice during the application and sponsorship periods.

* Programme Information (PDF)

* Application form and guidelines (DOC)

* Research Area Index (PDF)

* Sample publication list (PDF)

* List of questions for the host’s statement and confirmation that research facilities are available (DOC)

* List of questions for expert reviewers (PDF)

* German and English language certificate (RTF)

Contact: info@avh.de

Details http://www.humboldt-foundation.de/web/georg-forster-fellowship-experienced.html