Georg Forster Research Fellowships for Postdoctoral Students from Developing Countries (Funded to Germany)

Georg Forster Research Fellowships

Course(s) Offered: All disciplines
Course Level: Graduate (postdoctoral research)
Provider: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Country to Study in: Germany

Scholarship Description
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation offers the Georg Forster Research Fellowships to postdoctoral research students from developing countries to study in Germany.

The Georg Forster Research Fellowships for postdoctoral researchers are the instruments with which the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation enables highly-qualified scientists and scholars who are just embarking on their academic careers and who completed their doctorates less than four years ago to spend extended periods of research in Germany.

If you are qualified and from a developing country, you are encouraged to apply. Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates who satisfy the required eligibility criteria. In addition, the Humboldt Foundation also grants Georg Forster Research Awards every year to leading researchers from developing countries.

Eligibility
REQUIREMENTS:

1. Doctorate or comparable academic degree (Ph.D., C.Sc. or equivalent), completed less than four years prior to the date of application. Candidates who have nearly completed their doctoral degrees are eligible to apply provided that they submit the manuscript of their dissertation or publications containing the results of their dissertation.
2. Academic publications in reviewed journals and for publishing houses.
3. Choice of a research project of major relevance to the future development of the candidate's country of origin, including options for transferring knowledge and methods.
4. Confirmation that research facilities are available and mentoring agreement and a detailed expert's report from an academic host at a research institution in Germany; details of the research project and the proposed timetable must be discussed with the prospective host prior to application.
5. Expert references from the doctoral supervisor and two other academics qualified to give well-founded comments on the applicant's eligibility, preferably including reviewers not working at the applicant's own institute.
6. Language skills: scholars in the humanities or social sciences and physicians must have a good knowledge of German if it is necessary to carry out the project successfully; otherwise a good knowledge of English; scientists and engineers must have a good knowledge of German or English.
7. The applicant may not have spent an extended period in Germany prior to application. Applications to continue a research stay already underway can only be considered in exceptional cases. If in doubt, candidates who have been in Germany for more than six months at the time of application should check with the Humboldt Foundation (info(at)avh.de) whether formal requirements have been met before submitting an application.
8. Citizenship as well as principal place of residence and work in a developing or threshold country (excluding People's Republic of China and India, c.f. 'list of countries' below).
9. The Humboldt Foundation assumes that candidates will abide by the Rules of Good Scientific Practice during the application and sponsorship periods.

Eligible groups
Citizenship of, as well as principal place of residence and work in, a developing or threshold country (excluding People's Republic of China and India, c.f. list of countries)

Participating Institutions
Any accredited research institution in Germany

Fields of study
Any field including Natural Sciences, Engineering, Humanities, Social Sciences, etc. Research proposal must address issues of significant relevance to the future development of your country of origin and, in this context, promise to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and methods to developing and threshold countries.

Number of awards
Up to 80 fellowships can be granted every year

Sponsorship duration
Six (6) to twenty-four (24) months. Short-term visits for study and training purposes or for attending conferences are not eligible for sponsorship

Scholarship benefits
Fellowship allows you carry out long-term research project (6−24 months) you have selected yourself in cooperation with an academic host you have selected yourself at a research institution in Germany.

The foundation offers 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).

Method of Application
Scientists and scholars from all disciplines from developing and threshold countries (excluding People's Republic of China and India) may apply to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation directly at any time. Submit an application if you are a researcher from a developing country with above average qualifications, at the beginning of your academic career and only completed your doctorate in the last four years. Applications may be sent to the following address at any time:

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Selection Department,
Jean-Paul-Str. 12, 53173 Bonn, Germany.

Register NOW and apply online here. If you have registered, all the exclusive opportunities offered by the Humboldt website are open to you, so continue processing your application here. The complete application should be submitted to the Humboldt Foundation at least four to seven months ahead of the prospective selection date.

DEADLINES:
Due to some circumstances, at present, it takes up to ten months before you receive a decision. The Foundation hopes to revert to the usual processing period of six months at the earliest opportunity.

PLEASE NOTE:
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (German: Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung) is established by the government of the Federal Republic of Germany and funded by the Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development as well as other national and international partners; it promotes international academic cooperation between excellent scientists and scholars from Germany and from abroad.

Application Deadline: Ongoing/Rolling
Open for International Students: Yes

More Scholarship Information and Application

Related: Georg Forster Research Award for Developing Countries