FOR FIRST-TIME AWARDEES
For sponsorship information regarding other programs, like Max Planck Research Award, please click here, then choose your program and refer to the Initial Sponsorship section.
Award sponsorship
Research awards are targeting outstanding scientists and scholars in recognition of a life’s work to spend research stays in Germany. In most cases, participation is only possible via nominations. Various award programs are available and the awards are valued at different amounts. For further details, please refer to programs.
Travel expenses
Travel expenses to and from Germany are borne by the Humboldt Foundation only once. That also applies to award winners who divide their research stay into several short visits.
Language Courses (get more information)
The Humboldt Foundation is prepared, where possible, to bear the costs of German language training for research award winners and/or their spouses who wish to attend a language course. Informal applications should be submitted to the Humboldt Foundation prior to commencement of the language course (stating the course length, number of hours and costs).
Symposium for research award winners (get more information)
The traditional symposium for research award winners takes place once a year in March or April. This interdisciplinary meeting offers award winners and their spouses an opportunity to meet other award winners, scholars from universities and research establishments, representatives of science-promoting institutions in Germany, as well as members of the Humboldt Foundation’s selection committee and of the Foundation's staff. The conference’s program includes plenary scientific lectures from various disciplines, as well as short talks in specialist groups. The symposium is framed by a cultural program.
Annual Meeting (get more information)
An annual meeting is carried out in the summer. All research fellows and research award winners staying in Germany are invited together with their families to attend this meeting. The meeting offers an opportunity to exchange views with representatives of the foreign missions and to hold discussions with members of the Foundation’s board of governors, the selection committees and the AvH staff. The highlight of the annual meeting is the reception by the president of the Federal Republic of Germany on the grounds of his official residence in Bonn, the Villa Hammerschmidt, or of his Berlin residence, Schloss Bellevue.