Heidelberg Harvard Strategic Partnership Grant and Explorer Seed Fund
Heidelberg Harvard Strategic Partnership Grant and Explorer Seed Fund support Harvard researchers’ stays and joint academic activities at Heidelberg to build sustained 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: up to €500,000; Explorer: up to €100,000 for research stays plus €20,000 for project costs; early 2027–September 30, 2028
Summary: Supports Harvard researchers’ stays at Heidelberg and joint academic activities to develop sustained Harvard–Heidelberg collaborations.
Key Information: Heidelberg leads submission; the Harvard co-lead must hold faculty PI rights, with Harvard as primary employer and sponsored-research administrator.
Description
Heidelberg University offers these two programs 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 academic events that strengthen scientific exchange, networking, and international visibility. Activities include joint research, workshops, lectures, conferences, publications, and innovative learning and teaching models.
The Strategic Partnership Grant supports larger-scale cooperation with institutional commitment from both universities, including joint research groups and enduring structures that attract further funding. The Explorer Seed Fund supports individual and collaborative research across all disciplines, focusing on research stays and events involving leading and early-career researchers. Both emphasize sustainable cooperation, integration into Heidelberg research networks, and follow-up activities beyond the funding period.
