Humboldt Research Professorship

The Humboldt Research Professorship is a funded research prize enabling outstanding researchers from abroad to conduct and establish their research activities at German universities and research institutions while retaining their positions abroad. Awardees are expected to initiate collaborations in Germany, build and lead an international research group, and develop research formats that fit their work. The programme offers flexible integration models for host institutions such as shared professorships or lab-to-lab professorships.

Large research grant (typically €1.5M or €3M) over five years, monthly personal income allocation of up to €10,000 during stays in Germany, 20% institutional overhead, possibility of additional top-up of up to €500,000 and one-year extension under conditions.

Outstanding researchers of any discipline from abroad who have their main life and work location outside Germany for at least five years at the time of nomination; nominees must meet formal requirements to be eligible for a professorship in Germany at the time of award. Two program lines: up to 18 years after doctorate, and subsequent career stages. Persons with close personal relationships to nominators (spouse/partner or close relatives) are excluded.

Nominations must be submitted by German universities (rectors/presidents), optionally in cooperation with non-university research institutions; nominations are submitted online via the Humboldt Foundation nomination portal.