Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Additional fellowships for top researchers
Global Minds Initiative Germany: Federal Ministry Research strengthens Germany as a locations for science and research
Humboldt Professorship Germany’s most valuable research award brings top international researchers to German universities.
Sandra Wachter | Law and AI
A technology law expert, Sandra Wachter is invited to work on the development of ethical and legal AI expertise in business and society in Germany. With her cutting-edge research on AI regulation, she will reinforce Potsdam’s international competitiveness. More
Ingrid Piller | Sociolinguistics
Ingrid Piller has had a lasting influence on applied linguistics. Her research into linguistic diversity and intercultural communication radiates well beyond her specialist field and has an impact on disciplines such as sociology, history and educational science. More
Daniel Kráľ | Mathematics / Computer Science
Daniel Kráľ is a top researcher in discrete mathematics. He has succeeded in solving mathematical problems and conjectures that had been open for decades. More
Dana Branzei | Molecular biology
Molecular biologist Dana Branzei examines mechanisms of DNA repair. Her outstanding research results contribute to the fundamental understanding of cancer development and therapy. More
Andreas Winter | Quantum information
Andreas Winter is a distinguished mathematician and expert on quantum information theory. His research focuses on the mathematical principles of quantum information. By appointing Winter, the University of Cologne wants to continue developing its computer science department with a focus on quantum informatics. More
30.000 researchers worldwide belong to the Humboldt Foundation’s network.
As Humboldtians, they are all members of the Humboldt Family: currently sponsorship recipients and alumni from more than 140 countries, including 63 Nobel Laureates.
The Humboldt Foundation
- We sponsor researchers, regardless of discipline and nationality.
- We strengthen Germany as a research location through international academic exchange.
- We support our fellows and award winners for their entire lifetime.
- We campaign for international understanding, scientific progress and development.
Progamfinder
We sponsor people, not projects. Find the right programme for you.
Research the global Humboldt Network.
Research the global Humboldt Network. Our database includes most of the Humboldt Foundation’s 30,000 sponsorship recipients worldwide.
Popular search terms
800 awards and fellowships are granted by the Humboldt Foundation every year.
"Mathematics offers huge optimization potential to the African people."
Humboldt Kosmos – the Humboldt Foundation’s magazine. What are Humboldtians around the world working on? What are the issues in science, diplomacy and international affairs that move us? We report in our magazine.
Humboldt Geography of Knowledge Where do most of the successful applicants and nominees come from and where are the Foundation’s alumni doing their research today?
Humboldt is everywhere
Are you considering a research stay in Germany and wondering what it’s like? Check out our video.
News
New Deputy Secretary General
On 1 October 2025, Katrin Amian, is assuming the position of Deputy Secretary General.
YouTube
Celebrating the Humboldt Network
News
ComLab#10 – Forever young?
The tenth Communication Lab revealed that the real fountain of youth is our lifestyle – and above all, good social connections.
Heartfelt congratulations to Humboldtian Jingyuan Xu on winning the L'Oréal For Women in Science Award!
Press releases
Bonn Humboldt Award Winners’ Forum
22-24 October: Top researchers discuss current developments in artificial intelligence
An outside perspective – priceless. Our International Advisory Board met in Berlin to provide strategic guidance.
YouTube
Humboldt Residency Programme 2025: The Future of Food
Happy Birthday, Alexander von Humboldt!
News
New Deputy Secretary General
On 1 October 2025, Katrin Amian, is assuming the position of Deputy Secretary General.
News
ComLab#10 – Forever young?
The tenth Communication Lab revealed that the real fountain of youth is our lifestyle – and above all, good social connections.
News
Scouting for more diversity
Through the Henriette Herz Scouting Programme, Martina Havenith-Newen and Albert Newen open doors for talents from the entire world.
News
Global Minds Initiative Germany: Humboldt Foundation sponsorship opportunities
The new initiative enables the Humboldt Foundation to offer additional fellowships in the context of existing sponsorship programmes.
News
More than 30 years in the service of the Humboldt Foundation: farewell to Thomas Hesse
Thomas Hesse is retiring. The Foundation would like to thank him most warmly.
News
Why Collaborative Networks Matter
Find out what Lynen Fellow Friederike Hillemann learned about solidarity and career paths in academia from studying Indigenous networks.
News
2025 Humboldt Alumni Awards presented
This year’s awards for the best network initiatives launched by Humboldtians go to the Czech Republic, Ecuador and India.
News
The 2025 Philipp Franz von Siebold Award winner
Keiichi Hirano, an expert in organic molecular chemistry, to receive the 2025 Philipp Franz von Siebold Award.
News
Grimm Prize for Humboldtian Albert Gouaffo
Post-colonialism expert receives this year's award from the German Academic Exchange Service.
Press releases
Bonn Humboldt Award Winners’ Forum
22-24 October: Top researchers discuss current developments in artificial intelligence
Press releases
Kosmos lecture at the Humboldt Foundation's late summer reception
Vânia Zuin Zeidler on the right to high-quality and sustainable food for all, Berlin, 16 September.
Press releases
Max Planck-Humboldt Research Award and Medals
High honors for three frontier scientists
Press releases
Spotlight on research careers between Germany and the USA
The German Academic International Network (GAIN) will host young researchers at its 25th annual conference being held in Boston from 29-31 August.
Press releases
Statement on the current developments in Gaza and Israel
The presidents of the Humboldt Foundation and the DAAD are expressing concern.
Press releases
The Future of Food
Start of the 2025 Humboldt Residency Programme led by Vânia Zuin Zeidler
Press releases
Reimar Lüst Award 2025
The Polish archaeologist Aleksander Bursche has been singled out to receive the research award valued at 80,000ドル.
Press releases
2025 Annual Meeting in Berlin
How science can protect democratic values and personal bridges contribute to foreign policy
Press releases
Annual Meeting in Berlin
On 25 and 26 June, 450 international researchers will come together
Are you considering a research stay in Germany and wondering what it’s like? Check out our video.
Heartfelt congratulations to Humboldtian Jingyuan Xu on winning the L'Oréal For Women in Science Award!
An outside perspective – priceless. Our International Advisory Board met in Berlin to provide strategic guidance.
Happy Birthday, Alexander von Humboldt!
Hello from Boston – #GoGAIN25 is officially underway! We’re excited for three inspiring days of networking and exchanging ideas and experiences about research careers in Germany.
Once a Humboldtian, always a Humboldtian! Thank you for sharing, it was so wonderful to see you at our headquarters in Bonn. Enjoy the Study Tour!
Friendship knows no borders – The Humboldt Network creates bonds that can last a lifetime. #FriendshipDay
Our Chancellor Fellows are in the final stretch of their stay in Germany. This week, they gathered to reflect on their experiences – and to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. <svg class="icon icon--external" role="presentation" viewbox="0 0 200 200"> <use role="presentation" xlink:href="https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/#icon-external"></use> </svg>
Justice is not a given, we need to fight for it every day! Three Humboldtians show us how. #WorldJusticeDay
YouTube
Celebrating the Humboldt Network
YouTube
Humboldt Residency Programme 2025: The Future of Food
YouTube
Annual Meeting 2025 – Highlights #AvHResearchUnites
YouTube
How to communicate migration, climate change and AI as a researcher or journalist
YouTube
Humboldt Residency Programme 2024: Power and knowledge
YouTube
Annual Meeting 2024 #AvHBridgeBuilders
YouTube
Possibilities of ultrafast lasers | Humboldt Professor F. Ömer Ilday
stay updated
Georg Forster Research Fellowship
The Fellowship for postdoctoral and experienced researchers from developing and emerging countries who are contributing to sustainable development. The sponsorship is equivalent to the Humboldt Research Fellowship.
Publications in the Humboldt Network
Rosi Braidotti (Ed.): The Edinburgh Companion to the New European Humanities
Edinburgh University Press, 2024
W. Daniel Wilson: Goethe und die Juden. Faszination und Feindschaft
C.H. Beck, 2024
Omri Boehm, Daniel Kehlmann: Der bestirnte Himmel über mir
Ullstein, 2024
Ulinka Rublack: Dürer im Zeitalter der Wunder
Klett-Cotta, 2024
Hartmut Rosa: When Monsters Roar and Angels Sing
Kohlhammer, 2023
Celebrating the Humboldt Network
Hint
The video is being loaded by an external provider. By clicking on "OK" you agree that data may be transmitted to the provider.
How mechanisms of DNA repair work | Dana Branzei is Humboldt Professor
Hint
The video is being loaded by an external provider. By clicking on "OK" you agree that data may be transmitted to the provider.