Georg Forster Research Fellowship (Germany, Developing Countries)

The Georg Forster Research Fellowship, run by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, funds postdoctoral and experienced researchers from developing and transition countries to pursue their own research project in Germany. Fellows receive about EUR 3,000 per month for up to 24 months, plus family allowances, a German language course and travel support.

The distinctive requirement is relevance: your research should address questions important to the further development of your home country or region. Any discipline qualifies, from public health and agriculture to engineering and social sciences. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and Pakistan, Nigeria, Kenya, Bangladesh and most of Africa, Asia and Latin America are on the eligible country list.

• Researchers who are nationals of a developing or emerging country on the Foundation's current country list and whose main residence and work is there.
• Postdoctoral applicants completed their doctorate within the last four years; experienced researchers within the last twelve years with an independent profile.
• Your research project must be relevant to the further development of your home country or region, which is the defining feature of this fellowship compared with the standard Humboldt Research Fellowship.
• A written hosting agreement from an academic host at a German university or research institution is required before applying.
• Above-average academic record with key publications in internationally reviewed journals.
• Applicants may not have lived in Germany for extended periods immediately before applying, mirroring the Humboldt mobility rules.
• All disciplines are eligible, from agriculture and health to engineering, social sciences and governance.

• Monthly fellowship in the region of EUR 3,000 for postdoctoral researchers, with a higher rate for the experienced-researcher track.
• Fellowship duration of 6 to 24 months (postdocs) or 6 to 18 months (experienced researchers), divisible into several stays.
• Family allowances, a travel lump sum, insurance contributions and an intensive German language course before or during the stay.
• Research-cost subsidy available to the German host, plus individual support from the Foundation's staff.
• Alumni benefits designed for development contexts, including return fellowships and equipment or literature support to help you re-establish research at home.
• Entry into the worldwide Humboldt Network, one of the strongest academic alumni communities anywhere.

• Online application through the Humboldt Foundation application portal.
• Research proposal explaining both the science and its relevance to development in your home country or region, agreed with your host.
• Host's statement and confirmation of research facilities at the German institution.
• Curriculum vitae and full publication list with key papers.
• Doctoral degree certificate.
• Expert reviews arranged according to the portal instructions.

• Confirm your country appears on the current Georg Forster eligible-country list on the Foundation's website.
• Find and convince a suitable German host; a specific, well-matched host agreement is the single most important success factor.
• Prepare the proposal so that the development relevance for your home region is explicit, not implied.
• Submit through the Humboldt Foundation's online portal; applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and go to one of several selection meetings per year, so apply well ahead of your intended start.
• Decisions normally take a few months after the relevant selection meeting; if declined, a substantially improved reapplication is possible.
• Search for Georg Forster Research Fellowship on humboldt-foundation.de for the current programme information and portal link.