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Alexander von Humboldt Professorship

Offered by Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

The Alexander von Humboldt Professorship supports the recruitment of outstanding international research leaders to universities in Germany. An eligible German university nominates the researcher and sets out the academic strategy, resources and long-term position it will provide.

Alexander von Humboldt Professorship – image from Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Deadline
Rolling – no fixed deadline
Who can apply
A university in Germany submits the nomination through its rector or president, optionally jointly with a German non-university research institution. The nominee must be an outstanding researcher established abroad and eligible for appointment as a professor in Germany.
Last verified
Checked today at the official source

Opportunity overview

The Alexander von Humboldt Professorship supports the recruitment of outstanding international research leaders to universities in Germany. An eligible German university nominates the researcher and sets out the academic strategy, resources and long-term position it will provide. Funding of up to €10 million is available over seven years, based on justified need. This is a nomination route for researchers established abroad, rather than an individual scholarship application. Nominations can be submitted online at any time.

Who can apply

A university in Germany submits the nomination through its rector or president, optionally jointly with a German non-university research institution. The nominee must be an outstanding researcher established abroad and eligible for appointment as a professor in Germany.

Individual researchers cannot apply directly. A German university nominates through its rector/president; non-university research institutions can nominate jointly with an eligible German university. The proposal must set out the institution’s research strategy, the candidate’s integration and the resources and long-term academic position offered. The nominee must be an exceptionally accomplished international research leader established abroad and formally eligible for appointment as a professor in Germany. Close personal or family relationships between nominator and nominee exclude the nomination. Both must comply with scientific-integrity rules and the programme’s detailed nomination conditions.

Check the provider’s complete eligibility and country rules

Benefits and funding

Up to €10 million over seven years, based on the justified research and appointment needs, to establish the researcher’s long-term academic future in Germany.

How to apply

  1. The German university’s authorised nominator should use the official online nomination form and provide the institution’s strategy, appointment plan and required candidate/support documents. Nominations can be submitted at any time.
  • Fraunhofer-Bessel Research Award – image from Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
    Rolling applicationsAward

    Fraunhofer-Bessel Research Award

    Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

    This research award recognises internationally respected academics whose work has made an important contribution to their discipline and promises further influential achievements. It offers €45,000 and the opportunity to undertake a research project in Germany with specialist colleagues.

    Who can apply
    The nominee must have lived and worked predominantly outside Germany for at least five years and must not yet hold permanent employment in Germany. A qualifying researcher in Germany submits the nomination; individuals cannot apply directly.
    Deadline
    Rolling – no fixed deadline
  • Humboldt Research Professorship – image from Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
    OpenAward

    Humboldt Research Professorship

    Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

    The Humboldt Research Professorship is an institutional nomination award for outstanding international researchers whose work promises further major breakthroughs. It supports a research move to Germany with an eligible German university as nominating host.

    Who can apply
    A university in Germany submits the nomination through its rector or president, optionally jointly with a German non-university research institution. The nominee must be an outstanding researcher established abroad and eligible for appointment as a professor in Germany.
    Deadline
    16 November 2026
  • Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award – image from Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
    Rolling applicationsAward

    Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award

    Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

    This research award recognises internationally respected academics whose work has made an important contribution to their discipline and promises further influential achievements. It offers €60,000 and the opportunity to undertake a research project in Germany with specialist colleagues.

    Who can apply
    The nominee must have lived and worked predominantly outside Germany for at least five years and must not yet hold permanent employment in Germany. A qualifying researcher in Germany submits the nomination; individuals cannot apply directly.
    Deadline
    Rolling – no fixed deadline

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