Alexander von Humboldt Professorship
The Alexander von Humboldt Professorship enables world-leading researchers to conduct transformative, long-term research at German institutions with substantial, flexible funding and support.
Funder: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Due Dates: April 15, 2027 | September 15, 2026 | April 15, 2026 | September 15, 2025
Funding Amounts: Up to €10 million per award over 7 years; includes 20% administrative flat rate; typically 8–10 awards per year.
Summary: Germany’s highest-value research award supports world-leading academics from abroad to establish long-term, transformative research at German universities or research institutions.
Key Information: Nomination required by a German university; self-nomination is not permitted.
Description
The Alexander von Humboldt Professorship is Germany’s most prestigious and generously funded research award. It is designed to attract internationally leading researchers from abroad—across all academic disciplines—to German universities and research institutions for long-term, innovative research. The award aims to catalyze structural change and internationalization within German academia, supporting the strategic development of host institutions and enhancing Germany’s global competitiveness in research.
Awardees receive substantial, flexible resources to build new research groups, launch ambitious projects, and establish a lasting academic presence in Germany. The program is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and administered by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.
