The Reichstag building in Berlin with the German flag flying above the glass dome at dusk.

Germany Check current round

Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship

The Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship is the German research community's flagship award for outstanding postdoctoral and experienced researchers — funding 6-24 months at any German research institution. Open to researchers from all countries and disciplines, the fellowship provides a monthly stipend of EUR 2,800-3,400 (LKR 966k-1.17M) depending on career stage, plus family allowances, language course funding, travel allowance, research costs, and an extensive alumni network. Around 800 Humboldt Fellowships are awarded annually globally — Sri Lankan researchers with PhDs from Sri Lankan or international universities and a strong publication record are exactly the target profile. Selection is based on academic excellence and the strength of the proposed research; there is no country quota, and Humboldt is famously inclusive in nationality, gender, and disciplinary scope.

Applications accepted continuously — review meetings held three times per year (typically March, July, November)

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

External Organization-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Value

EUR 2,800-3,400/mo + Extras

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Duration

6-24 Months (Flexible)

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Awards

~800 per Year Globally

info How this award actually works

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This is a separate, highly competitive application

Awards from external organisations like this one run their own selection round against applicants from across the world, and success rates are usually in the low single digits. Lanka Scholar does not administer it and cannot submit it for you. Treat it as a bonus on top of a funded study plan — never as the plan itself.

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Who awards it

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.

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How you are considered

Through a separate application round run by the funder, with its own forms, deadlines and shortlisting. You submit it yourself — it is not part of a university admission application.

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What it covers

EUR 2,800-3,400/Month + Family + Travel + Research Costs. Read the terms carefully: even fully-funded awards rarely cover every cost, and any shortfall is yours to fund.

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Where we come in

We help you judge whether this award is worth your time, and build a realistic admission plan that works whether or not you win it.

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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PhD Completed (Up to 4 / 12 Years Ago)

Postdoctoral fellowship: PhD completed within the last 4 years. Experienced Researcher fellowship: PhD completed within the last 12 years. Sri Lankan researchers across both windows are eligible — choose the right track for your career stage.

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Demonstrated Research Excellence

You should have a strong publication record (typically several peer-reviewed papers in recognised international journals) commensurate with your career stage. Postdocs may have 3-5 publications; experienced researchers typically 10+ including senior-author papers.

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Open to All Nationalities

Open to researchers of any nationality (except German citizens, who are not eligible). Sri Lankan citizens are explicitly welcome. No quota by country or region — purely merit-based, global pool.

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German Host + Research Plan

You must arrange your own host researcher at a German research institution BEFORE applying. The host writes a 'hosting confirmation' (Aufnahmebestätigung) supporting your application. Independently develop a research proposal in agreement with the host.

account_tree Application Process

Identify + contact a German host

Browse German university and Max Planck / Helmholtz / Fraunhofer institute faculty pages. Contact potential hosts with your CV, recent publications, and a brief research proposal. Securing a strong host commitment is the most important step — Humboldt explicitly evaluates the strength of the host-fellow match.

Submit application online

Apply via the Humboldt online portal (humboldt-foundation.de). Required: detailed CV, list of publications, full research proposal (3,000-5,000 words), 2 academic reviewers' reports (from outside your home country, NOT from your host), host confirmation letter.

Review by panel of experts

Humboldt convenes review panels three times yearly (March, July, November). Each application is reviewed by 2-3 independent experts in the field. Decisions are typically communicated 4-7 months after submission.

Acceptance + German visa

Successful fellows accept the award via the portal and coordinate the start date with the German host (typically with 3-6 months' notice for visa). Apply for the German research visa (or Blue Card) at the German Embassy in Colombo. Humboldt provides extensive pre-departure support.

Why Humboldt?

Founded in 1953 and named after Alexander von Humboldt (the 18th-19th century German naturalist), the Foundation has funded over 30,000 researchers from 140+ countries. Alumni include 60+ Nobel laureates, and the Humboldt network is one of the most prestigious global research communities. The Foundation explicitly values independence — Humboldtians can change hosts, extend stays, or shift research directions without bureaucratic obstacles. For Sri Lankan researchers, it remains the most generous and prestigious pathway to a German research career.

30,000+

Alumni in 140+ Countries

60+

Nobel Laureates

EUR 2.8-3.4k

Monthly Stipend

Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?

Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.

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