Humboldt Research Fellowship 2026 (Fully Funded)

Begin your academic journey in Germany with exciting news — the Humboldt Research Fellowships are now open for applications. In this article, we will provide full details about the fellowship, its benefits, and the complete step-by-step application process.

The Humboldt Research Fellowships 2025-2026 are fully funded opportunities for international researchers. These fellowships are available exclusively for postdoctoral studies and provide a monthly stipend of €3,200, along with additional financial support for accompanying family members and research-related expenses.

Funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the program is designed for outstanding scholars and scientists from abroad who are at the start of their research careers. Eligible applicants must have earned their doctorate within the last four years and are invited to spend 6–24 months conducting research in Germany.

The fellowship requires collaboration with an academic host at a German research institution. Applicants are free to select their research topic and host, but the project details — including duration and objectives — must be agreed upon in advance. Please note that short-term visits for training, study programs, or conferences are not covered under this fellowship.

Scholarship Summary

Level of Study: Post-Doctoral
Institution(s): Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Study in: Germany
Courses Offered: Click here to find all the available courses
Program Period: Six to 24 months
Deadline: Open throughout the year

Scholarship Coverage

Humboldt Research Fellowship will provide below benefits:

A monthly fellowship of 2,700 EUR for postdoctoral researchers (doctorate completed within the last four years). A monthly fellowship of 3,200 EUR for postdoctoral researchers (doctorate completed within the last 12 years).
A flexible starting date and – for experienced researchers – the option of splitting the fellowship up into a maximum of three stays.
Individual mentoring during the sponsorship period.
Intensive German language course for fellows and their marital partners before the fellowship.
Additional financial support for accompanying family members and items like travel expenses and comprehensive alumni sponsorship once the research stay has come to an end, such as a Return Fellowship or further stays in Germany.

Eligibility Criteria for the Humboldt Research Fellowship

To be eligible for the Humboldt Research Fellowship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Required Language: English or German
Eligible Countries: All world countries
Doctorate or comparable academic degree (PhD, CSc or equivalent) obtained no more than four years.
Academic publications are reviewed according to international standards and printed in journals and/or by publishing houses.
Confirmation that research facilities are available, mentoring agreement and a detailed expert’s statement by an academic host at a research institution in Germany.
Expert reviews from the doctoral supervisor and another academic qualified to give well-founded comments on the applicant’s qualification preferably including reviewers not working at the applicant’s institute.
Necessary language skills: humanities or social sciences and medicine: German, otherwise a good knowledge of English; natural sciences and engineering: good knowledge of German or English.
The Humboldt-Foundation assumes that candidates will abide the Rules of Good Scientific Practice and the legally-binding principles of scientific ethics during the application and sponsorship periods.

How to Apply for the Humboldt Research Fellowship?

Please follow the following instructions to apply for the Humboldt Research Fellowship:

(1). You have to choose two hosts (whether they are people or institute) in Germany and ask them for a confirmation and review for the research.
Note: if you choose the institute to be your host you have to schedule the period that you will stay.

(2). Create an account from Here and attach the following documents:

Curriculum vitae (two pages max).
Research outline (five pages max).
Complete list of publications.
List of selected key publications.
Key publications.
Doctoral certificate.
German language certificate, if applicable.
Host’s statement and confirmation of research facilities.
Two expert reviews.
Additionally, where required: publishers’ letter(s) of acceptance and/or acknowledgment(s) of receipt as well as summaries or translations of the key publications.