Heidelberg Harvard Strategic Partnership Grant and Explorer Seed Fund
Heidelberg Harvard Strategic Partnership Grant and Explorer Seed Fund support researchers through joint research, stays at Heidelberg, and academic events to build lasting collaboration between the universities.
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Funder: Harvard University
Due Dates: October 30, 2026 (Harvard questionnaire) | November 15, 2026 (Heidelberg application)
Funding Amounts: Strategic Partnership Grant: up to €500,000; Explorer Seed Fund: up to €100,000 for stays/fellowships plus €20,000 for project costs; early 2027–September 30, 2028
Summary: Supports Heidelberg–Harvard joint research, Harvard researchers’ stays at Heidelberg, and academic events that strengthen collaboration.
Key Information: Heidelberg submits the application; the Harvard co-lead must hold a faculty appointment with PI rights and have Harvard as their primary employer.
Description
Heidelberg University runs these two opportunities within its institutional partnership with Harvard University, supported by Baden-Württemberg’s Global Partnership in Science program. Both fund Harvard researchers’ stays at Heidelberg and Heidelberg academic events, including workshops, lectures, and conferences, to foster scientific exchange, networking, and international visibility.
The Strategic Partnership Grant supports larger-scale, institutionally committed collaborations, joint research groups, and enduring structures that attract further funding. The Explorer Seed Fund supports individual and collaborative research across all disciplines, targeting leading and early-career researchers. Its goals include integrating Harvard researchers into Heidelberg networks, generating joint publications and innovative teaching models, and sustaining cooperation through follow-up projects and continued use of results.
