Humboldt Research Professorship
Humboldt Research Professorship supports outstanding researchers from abroad to pursue innovative research in Germany, build international working groups and establish long-term scientific collaborations.
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Funder: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Due Dates: July 15, 2026 (Call opens) | November 16, 2026 (Nomination) | March 2027 (Shortlist) | October 2027 (Final decision)
Funding Amounts: €1.5 million (theoretical) or €3 million (experimental) over five years, plus 20% for administration
Summary: Supports outstanding researchers from abroad to establish innovative research and long-term scientific collaborations in Germany.
Key Information: Nomination must come through a German university’s rector or president; self-nomination is not permitted.
Description
The Humboldt Research Professorship enables outstanding researchers from abroad, across all academic disciplines, to conduct innovative and creative research in Germany. The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation administers the programme, financed by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space through the Global Minds Initiative Germany. It targets researchers whose highly successful, unconventional and audacious work demonstrates potential for further pioneering breakthroughs.
Award winners are expected to develop long-term collaborations with specialist colleagues in Germany, establish and manage international working groups, and pursue promising research formats suited to their methods and interests. German receiving institutions can integrate researchers through shared professorships or lab-to-lab professorships, strengthening internationally competitive research topics and expanding research fields. Researchers may retain professorships or working groups abroad during sponsorship, or choose full relocation to Germany.
