Top opportunities for researchers from developing countries.
Who is eligible
if you are a researcher with above average qualifications in a developing or transition country. (see list of countries). Several Latin American countries are included, see below.
if you intend to carry out long-term research of your own choice (6 to 24 months) at a research institution in Germany together with an academic host you have chosen yourself,
if your research outline includes aspects that are important for the continued development of your country or region of origin and
if you want to contribute to the exchange of knowledge and methods between Germany and your country of origin.
What it is offered
a monthly fellowship of €2,650 for postdoctoral researchers (doctorate completed within the last four years) or €3,150 for experienced 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 prior to the fellowship,
In recent years, approximately 20% to 25% of applications were successful (see also positive selection decisions within the past 12 months).
In addition, the Humboldt Foundation grants Georg Forster Research Awards every year to leading researchers from developing countries.
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
Researchers from developing and transition countries, whose research has little or no direct relevance for the further development of their region of origin, should apply for the Humboldt Research Fellowship.
For the time being, researchers from Brazil can only apply for a Capes-Humboldt Research Fellowship. For the duration of the joint Capes-Humboldt Programme it is not possible to apply for a Georg Forster Research Fellowship.
The Humboldt Foundation also grants the Georg Forster Research Award to internationally recognised scientists from developing and transition countries.
Deadline: The Selection Committee responsible for reviewing applications to this programme meets every February, June and October. Please send your completed application form, including any additional documents required, well in advance of the desired selection date. Applications are usually processed within four to eight months. Incomplete or inaccurate applications take longer to process and often have to be postponed to a later Selection Committee meeting.
List of eligible countries in LAC:
Caribbean:
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Grenada
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Latin America:
- Argentina
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Brazil*
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Mexico
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Suriname
- Venezuela
*For the time being, researchers from Brazil can only apply for a Capes-Humboldt Research Fellowship. The cal is open until 30 November 2023. See more here