Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award

The Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award is an annual prize conferred by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to internationally recognized researchers from abroad for outstanding research achievements. Awardees receive a prize sum and are invited to carry out self-chosen research projects at a research institution in Germany for a period of half to a full year, which may be split into parts. The programme includes individual support measures such as invitations to events, language courses and alumni support.

€60,000 prize; invitation to conduct research at a German institution for half to one year (can be split); invitations to events; possible language courses; alumni support measures.

Nominations may be initiated by established researchers at a German research institution or by Humboldt alumni working abroad; nominees must be internationally recognized researchers whose doctorate was awarded no more than 18 years ago (exceptions possible for justified cases), must have their main life and work centre abroad for at least five years at time of nomination, must not hold a permanent position in Germany and must not previously have received a Humboldt award. Self-nomination and nominations of close relatives are not permitted.

Nomination must be submitted by an eligible nominator via the Foundation's online nomination system and include required documents and a laudation; the Foundation confirms receipt, obtains expert reviews and an independent selection committee meets twice yearly to decide.