The German Chancellor Fellowship, 2018

Deadline: 15 September 2018
Open to: applicants from Brazil, China, India, Russia or the USA
Fellowship: monthly stipend of 2,150 EUR, 2,450 EUR or 2,750 EUR, depending on your qualifications

Description

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is searching for the leaders of tomorrow – from Brazil, China, India, Russia, and the USA. The German Chancellor Fellowship offers you an opportunity to take the next career step in Germany – irrespective of your field of work. In order to apply, develop your own project idea and find the host of your choice to mentor you. Once your host has confirmed, you can apply for a fellowship.

During their stay in Germany, the German Chancellor Fellows usually pursue research-based, self developed projects in the areas mentioned above at host institutions. They are supervised by hosts in Germany who they select themselves and who have the necessary level of expertise to mentor the respective research topics. The projects should not only be of social significance, but should also have a long-term, publicly-visible impact. They should also be conducive to advancing fellows’ career development. During their stay in Germany, fellows will be able to expand their specialist knowledge and gain new international experience whilst enhancing their intercultural skills and thus enabling them to develop into successful leaders.

After the fellowship has come to an end, they act as intermediaries between their own countries and Germany and continue to be part of the worldwide Humboldt Network in which the alumni of the German Chancellor Fellowship Programme foster particularly close contacts with one another. This has resulted in a steadily growing network of international decision-makers, multipliers and thought leaders.

This fellowship programme is under the patronage of the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany and is financed by the Federal Foreign Office. The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation grants up to 50 German Chancellor Fellowships every year – up to ten of which go to prospective leaders from each of the five countries named above.

Eligibility

  • The applicant must be a national of the United States, the Russian Federation, The People’s Republic of China, Brazil or India;
  • Bachelor’s or equivalent academic degree completed less than twelve years before the beginning of the fellowship (1 October of the year following application);
  • Initial proven leadership experience; applicants with a preponderantly academic background should have acquired initial leadership experience in addition to their own research activity;
  • German or English language skills.

Fellowship

  • a monthly fellowship of 2,150 EUR, 2,450 EUR or 2,750 EUR, depending on your qualifications;
  • individual mentoring during your stay in Germany;
  • additional financial support for items such as family members accompanying you, travel expenses or a German language course;
  • a study tour of Germany and a number of events during which you can make contact with other fellows and representatives of German companies and institutions;
  • extensive alumni sponsorship, particularly to help you sustain contact with collaborative partners in Germany during your entire professional career.

How to apply?

Applications should be completed online.

The completed application form, including the necessary additional documents, should be submitted online by the application deadline.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their documents are complete. It may not be possible to include incomplete applications in the selection procedure.

Application requirements

  • A letter of motivation (approx. 2 pages);
  • A project plan (approx. 3 pages); candidates must draw up their project plan independently and discuss it with their intended host prior to application;
  • A detailed statement, including confirmation of supervision, by the host in Germany;
  • Two references by individuals qualified to comment on the candidate’s professional, personal and/or academic background.

The selection process consists of two steps. The most promising candidates are initially selected from all formally approved applications on the basis of the written documents, and invited to a selection meeting in Bonn. During an interview, the applicants present themselves and their projects to an independent selection committee which decides on how the fellowships should be allocated. A further selection tool involves a group discussion on an overarching topic of general interest.

Additional information on the selection process can be found in the FAQ section on the Humboldt Foundation’s website.

The Humboldt Foundation will be pleased to answer any further questions about the German Chancellor Fellowship Programme by email (info@avh.de).

For more information please read the Programme Information (PDF) and visit the official website.