If you are looking for a postdoc fellowship in Germany, The Georg Foster Research Fellowship is an option you should definitely consider. In providing Georg Forster Research Fellowships for postdocs, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation enables highly-qualified scientists and scholars from developing or transition countries (excluding PR China and India) who are just embarking on their academic careers and who completed their doctorates less than four years ago to spend extended periods of research (6–24 months) in Germany. Scientists and scholars from all disciplines particularly engaged in Sustainable development of the eligible countries are welcome to apply.
In this article we provide you with key details about this opportunity for postdoc fellows.
Georg Forster Research Fellowship Overview
• Awarded to: postdoctoral and experienced researchers contributing to sustainable development
• Eligibility: Postdoc and experienced researchers from developing or transition countries (see list of Eligible Countries PDF).
• Duration: 6–24-month research stay in Germany.
Areas of research: The research outline must deal with issues of major relevance to the future
development of the candidate’s country or region of origin.
Georg Forster Research Fellowship benefits
Awardees of the Georg Forster Fellowship enjoy the following benefits:
Monthly fellowship amount of €2,670 for postdoc fellows
Monthly fellowship amount of €3,170 for experienced researchers.
Conduct your research in Germany.
Individual support from the Humboldt Foundation.
Potential subsidy towards research costs for your host.
Additional benefits include a mobility lump sum, medical and liability insurance coverage, and more.
language fellowship for an intensive language course lasting two to four months at selected language institutes in Germany immediately prior to the actual period of research; language fellowships may also be granted to accompanying marital partners;
family allowances for accompanying family members staying at least three months
Additional extension of the fellowship up to 12 months for research fellows accompanied by children under the age of 12;
Europe allowance for a research stay at a research institute in another European country
A subsidy towards research costs to be paid to the hosts in Germany amounting to 800 EUR per month (for research in the natural sciences and engineering) and 500 EUR (for research in the humanities and social sciences);
Extensive alumni sponsorship once a successful research stay has come to an end,
General requirements
1). Nationality: You can apply for the fellowship if You are a citizen of Eligible Countries (see full list here)
2). Stay: Eligible applicants must have been predominantly living and working in an eligible
country for a minimum of 12 months in the 18 month period prior to submission of the
application. All stays outside eligible countries are taken into account, regardless of their duration and reason. Also, Willingness to return to an eligible country to contribute to the transfer of methods and techniques.
3). Confirmation that research facilities are available/host’s statement: A researcher from an academic institution of your choice in Germany will provide you with a mentoring agreement and written confirmation that research facilities are available, and will compile a detailed review for you.
4). Two expert reviews.
• Postdocs: Your doctoral supervisor and one other researcher – outside of your institute, if possible – should provide well-grounded information on your qualifications.
• Experienced researchers: The reviews should be provided by important collaborative partners and/or researchers at your own institute as well as other institutes – outside your country of origin, if possible.
5). Language skills:
• Natural sciences and engineering: You must have a good knowledge of German or English.
• Humanities, social sciences and medicine:
You must have a good knowledge of German if this is necessary for conducting your research successfully. Otherwise, good knowledge of English will suffice.
6). Research relevance:
Choice of a research outline of major relevance to the future development of the candidate’s country or region of origin.
Application procedure and documents
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications online through the online application portal. A complete application has:
curriculum vitae (two pages max)
research outline ( five pages max)
complete list of your publications
list of selected key publications
key publications
doctoral certificate or proof that your doctorate has been completed successfully, or confirmation that this will be the case within the next six months
German language certificate, if required
If required: publisher’s acceptance notifications and/or acknowledgement of receipt and summaries/translations of key publications that are not available in German or in English
Host’s statement and confirmation that research facilities are available, as well as two expert reviews.
LINKS
• Website: Georg Foster Research Fellowship
Downloadable content