Call for Nominations: Georg Forster Research Award

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation annually grants Georg Forster Research Awards to internationally renowned academics from developing and transition countries in recognition of their academic record to date. The research award was named for renowned German ethnologist Georg Forster (1754–1794) and is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The award is intended to support the long-term promotion of outstanding scientific multipliers in transition and developing countries whose research will contribute to improving living conditions in their countries of origin.

They strive to offer their guest researchers individualised support and funding. Amongst the benefits available to award winners are invitations to numerous events or the opportunity to attend language courses. Their alumni sponsorship measures flexibly support every Humboldtian’s individual journey through life, in both their careers and their future collaborations.

Funding Information 

• The award amount is €60,000. Award winners are also invited to conduct a research project of their choice at a research institution in Germany in cooperation with specialist colleagues there. The award enables a total stay of between six months and a full year, which can be split into multiple stays. If required, expenditures (such as travel or language courses) are covered in the context of the invitation to stay in Germany for research purposes.
• The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation may provide further funding of up to €10,000 to integrate female junior researchers from the award winners’ home countries.

Who may submit a nomination?

• Nominations for a Georg Forster Research Award may be initiated by established researchers at research institutions in Germany. Humboldt Foundation award winners working abroad are also eligible to submit nominations jointly with a researcher working in Germany.

Who may be nominated?

• Eligible for nomination are researchers whose fundamental discoveries, new theories or findings have had a lasting effect on their discipline beyond their immediate research area and who will continue to contribute to developing research-based approaches to the specific challenges of developing and emerging countries. The individual nominated must additionally meet the following criteria:
  • The nominee’s academic achievements must be internationally recognised and proven by corresponding successes in research.
  • The nominee may not previously have received an award from the Humboldt Foundation for her/his academic work.
  • The nominee must be a citizen of a developing or transition country (excluding PR China and India). The nominee must have lived and worked in one of these countries for at least five years at the time of nomination. Self-nominations are not possible, nor may you nominate close relatives or your marital/registered partner. They particularly encourage the nomination of qualified female researchers.

For more information, visit Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.