The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation has announced that its next Research Fellowship application round will open on 15 November 2026. Researchers planning a stay in Germany can use the lead time to prepare their project, host arrangements and references.
Status: upcoming. The current round has reached its application limit, so this is preparation guidance rather than an invitation to submit today.
Key dates and support
| Next opening | 15 November 2026 |
|---|---|
| Selection meeting | July 2027 |
| Earliest start | September 2027 |
| Postdoctoral route | €3,000 monthly; six to 24 months |
| Experienced-researcher route | €3,600 monthly; six to 18 months |
| Host country | Germany |
Eligibility needs an individual check
The usual doctorate windows are four years for postdocs and twelve years for experienced researchers. Nationality, German residence, prior funding and career-stage rules apply, including specific exceptions. A German academic host and two expert reviews are required. Additional benefits are conditional.
Calls can close once their application cap is reached. The Foundation currently sets that cap at 800 and asks new applicants to wait until the next opening before registering.
What to prepare before November
Begin with the host relationship. Explain why the proposed institution has the expertise, facilities or collections your project needs. A generic message sent to many academics is less useful than a focused discussion of a research question and a feasible collaboration.
Build a project timetable with clear milestones. Identify dependencies such as data permissions or specialist equipment and discuss them with the host. Your plan should show what can realistically be completed during the period you request.
Contact potential referees early and provide enough context for them to assess your contribution. Prepare a consistent publication list and distinguish published work from work still under review.
Plan the move as well as the research
Compare the fellowship amount with your actual household budget and ask which supplementary benefits would apply to you. Do not treat the maximum duration or every advertised allowance as part of an automatic package.
Read official requirements and opening notice
Source: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Checked 1 October 2026. Applications are not yet open for the next round.
Keywords: Humboldt Research Fellowship, Germany research funding, November 2026 fellowship opening, postdoctoral fellowships 2027
