Study Subject (s): The fellowship is provided to learn any of the courses offered by the research institution in Germany.

Course Level: This fellowship is available for pursuing postdoctoral and research level at research institution in Germany.
Scholarship Provider: The research fellowship programme is financed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung – BMZ) and co-financed by the European Union (EU) in the 7th Framework Programme.
Scholarship can be taken at: Germany

Eligibility: Scientists and scholars from all disciplines from developing countries, emerging economies and transition states (excluding People’s Republic of China and India may apply. The research proposal must deal with issues of major relevance to the future development of the candidate’s country of origin.
-Doctorate or comparable academic degree (PhD, C.Sc. or equivalent), completed less than twelve years prior to the date of application. If it is not possible or customary to take a doctorate in the candidate’s subject or country, applications may be submitted up to twelve years after commencing publication activity.
-The candidate’s own research profile documented by a comprehensive list of academic publications in reviewed journals and for publishing houses.
-Choice of a research project of major relevance to the future development of the candidate’s country of origin, including options for transferring knowledge and methods; details of the research project and the proposed timetable must be discussed with the prospective host prior to application.
-Confirmation that research facilities are available and mentoring agreement and a detailed expert’s report from an academic host at a research institution in Germany.
-Three expert reviews from important collaborative partners and/or academics from the candidate’s own institute and, if possible, from abroad.
-Language skills: scholars in the humanities or social sciences and physicians must have a good knowledge of German if it is necessary to carry out the project successfully; otherwise a good knowledge of English; scientists and engineers must have a good knowledge of German or English.
-The applicant may not have spent an extended period in Germany prior to application. Applications to continue a research stay already underway can only be considered in exceptional cases. Potential applicants who have been in Germany for more than six months at the time of application are not eligible to apply.
-Citizenship as well as principal place of residence and work in a developing or threshold country (excluding People’s Republic of China and India, c.f. detailed list of countries).

What does it cover? The fellowship is worth 3,150 EUR per month. This includes a mobility lump sum and a contribution towards health and liability insurance. Additional benefits for research fellows:
- lump sum for the fellow’s return travel expenses if the costs are not borne by a third party;
- language fellowship for an intensive language course lasting two to four months at selected language institutes in Germany immediately prior to the actual period of research; language fellowships may also be granted to accompanying marital partners;
- family allowances for accompanying family members staying at least three months (monthly allowance: up to 326 EUR for marital partners and up to 234 EUR for each child).
- flat-rate allowance for accompanying children (under the age of 18) for stays of at least three months (400 EUR per month for the first child and 100 EUR per month for every additional child).
- Additional extension of the fellowship up to 12 months for research fellows accompanied by children under the age of 12 or alternatively a subsidy towards recognized childcare costs in Germany.
- purpose-based subsidy towards a pension plan in the amount of up to €200 per month providing those receiving the subsidy contribute the same amount from their own finances.
- bridging grant after at least 12 months’ uninterrupted fellowship in Germany in the amount of €1,500 per month for 6 months (for fellowship lasting up to 12 months) up to a maximum of 12 months (for fellowship lasting more than 12 months) to cover periods of unemployment in Germany.
- a subsidy towards research costs to be paid to the hosts in Germany amounting to 800 EUR per month (for research projects in the natural sciences and engineering) and 500 EUR (for research projects in the humanities and social sciences).
- Europe allowance for a research stay at a research institute in another European country (though not the research fellow’s own country) for a designated period in the course of the fellowship if necessary to ensure the success of the research project.
- extensive alumni sponsorship once a successful research stay has come to an end, especially for maintaining contacts with collaborative partners in Germany during the Humboldtian’s entire academic career.

The final decision is taken by a committee composed of academics from all disciplines in the framework of the funding available.

How to Apply: The mode of applying is by post. Applications may be sent to the following address at any time: Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung, Selection Department, Jean-Paul-Str. 12, 53173 Bonn, Germany. The complete application should be submitted to the Humboldt Foundation at least four to seven months ahead of the prospective selection date.

Scholarship Application Deadline: Applications can be submitted no earlier than 01.07.2013 until mid-2015 (exact date TBD).

Further Official Scholarship Information and Application