Fully Funded Georg Forster Research Fellowship in Germany for Researchers from Developing Countries

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation offers the Georg Forster Research Fellowship to outstanding researchers from all academic disciplines who are from developing or emerging countries (as defined by the Foundation’s country list). Applications from female scientists are particularly encouraged.

Host Country	Germany
Host Institute	Various
Level	Postdoctoral
Eligible Nationality	Developing countries
Fellowship Type	Fully Funded
Duration	6-24 months
Opening Date	Open throughout the year
Closing Date	February, June, and October

Table of Contents

Overview of the Georg Forster Research Fellowship by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

The Georg Forster Research Fellowship, granted by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, enables scholars from developing nations, emerging markets, and transitional states to undertake research projects in Germany. The fellowship fosters academic partnerships with German institutions and is intended to support the long-term development of the researchers’ regions of origin.

What advantages does the Georg Forster Research Fellowship offer?

The Georg Forster Research Fellowship offers a wide range of benefits to support researchers throughout their stay in Germany. Fellows can look forward to the following advantages:

Monthly Fellowship Allowance

Early-Career Researchers: €2,670 to €2,700 per month.
Senior Researchers: €3,170 per month.

Extra Financial Benefits

Mobility Allowance: Provides funding to cover necessary expenses for attending conferences, conducting research-related travel, and visiting archives or libraries within Germany and internationally.
Travel Support: Offers financial assistance to help cover the costs of private health insurance and liability insurance during the fellowship period.
Insurance Coverage Assistance: a lump sum to assist with travel expenses back to your home country when no other funding source is available.
Homeward Travel Grant: Includes a one-time payment to help cover the cost of travel back to your home country if no other funding options are available.
German Language Training Support: Funds a 2 to 4-month intensive German language course prior to starting your research stay. This support can also extend to cover a partner accompanying you.
Family Support Allowances: Provides financial support for family members residing in Germany for at least three months, including a flat-rate allowance for single parents with children under 18.

Research Funding

Research Expense Allowance:
- Host institutions in Germany receive monthly funding to cover research-related costs:
- €800 for projects in natural sciences and engineering.
- €500 for projects in humanities and social sciences.

Fellowship Period

Early-Career Researchers: Fellowship durations range from 6 to 24 months.
Senior Researchers: Fellowship periods last between 6 and 18 months.
Recipients may divide their fellowship into several shorter stays over a three-year period, allowing greater flexibility for their research plans.

Who is eligible to apply for the Georg Forster Research Fellowship?

Applicants must fulfill the following criteria to be eligible for this fellowship:

Basic Eligibility Criteria

Citizenship: Applicants must originate from a developing or transition country (excluding China and India) as defined by the Foundation’s country list.
Residence: Candidates must have spent at least 12 of the 18 months prior to application living and working in an eligible country. Experienced researchers living abroad must maintain a permanent position in one of these eligible countries.
Research Topic: The research project should focus on issues that support the sustainable development of the applicant’s region of origin.