Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship: Postdoctoral Researchers Grant

Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship: Postdoctoral Researchers Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Last Updated: November 26, 2025

Summary

The Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship, offered by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, supports postdoctoral researchers from Germany for 6 to 24 months of research abroad. It aims to enhance diversity and gender balance in academia, inviting applications from all backgrounds. Eligible candidates must have completed their doctorate within the last four years or be close to completion. The fellowship encourages collaboration with the Humboldt Network and includes funding expectations from academic hosts.

Overview

NOTE: The Selection Committee responsible for reviewing applications to this programme meets every February, June and October. Applications are usually processed within four to seven months.Details of the research outline including information on the intended duration of the fellowship must be agreed with the intended host before applying. Background As president of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, biochemist and Nobel Laureate Feodor Lynen advocated opening up the international Humboldt Network to junior researchers from Germany. The fellowship named after him is granted by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation with funding from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and enables researchers with above-average qualifications from Germany at all career levels and in all disciplines to conduct research with members of the Humboldt Network around the world. The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation aims to achieve a good balance between genders and a high level of diversity among its fellows in all areas. We therefore expressly invite female scientists and members of underrepresented groups to apply. We welcome all applications, regardless of ethnic, cultural or social background, gender identity, age, religion, worldview, disability or sexual orientation. If you would like to apply for a Lynen Fellowship, your first step is to choose one of the around 25,000 potential academic hosts worldwide. Your host must be either a member of the Humboldt Network abroad, or the recipient of one of a select range of international academic awards and working abroad. Fellowships for Postdocs In providing Feodor Lynen Research Fellowships for postdocs, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation enables highly-qualified scientists and scholars from Germany who are just embarking on their academic careers and who completed their doctorates less than four years ago to spend extended periods of research (6-24 months) abroad. Scientists and scholars from all disciplines may apply for any country abroad. Postdocs may apply for a 6- to 24-month fellowship. Funding The Humboldt Foundation expects that academic hosts participate in funding this fellowship. Their contribution should amount to approximately one third of the fellowship amount. We waive the requirement for this financial contribution for hosts from certain countries. In the event of documented funding issues the Humboldt Foundation is also willing to explore individual solutions and potentially agree exceptions also with hosts in other countries. The provisions of the fellowship comprise a basic monthly fellowship amount and a monthly foreign allowance which may differ according to location and marital status. Family allowances for marital partners and children may be granted in addition. The estimated amount of the fellowship can be calculated with the "fellowship calculator." Additional benefits: return travel expenses within reasonable limits (also for marital partners and children, where applicable)parenting support for research fellows who are accompanied abroad by children under the age of twelve. This support can alternatively be applied for in the form of an extension of the research fellowship or as a reimbursement of costs for childcarereintegration allowance for attending job interviews or participating in important career-promoting conferences in Germanya return fellowship may be granted for a maximum of twelve months immediately following the research stay abroad. It allows fellows to continue cooperation with their hosts in association with a research institution in Germanyalumni sponsorship following a successful stay abroad, especially financial assistance for participating in conferences and for short-term visits from or to members of the Humboldt Network abroad (or in Germany when living abroad).

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. PostdocsDid you complete your doctorate during the last four years? In the case of multiple doctorates, the effective date is that of the first doctoral degree (PhD/CSc.).Or are you within six months of completing your doctorate and can already provide a written summary of your findings? Have you been published in academic journals and by publishing houses that are reviewed according tointernational standards? If so, and if you fulfill the criteria under the “General requirements” section, we invite you to apply for a Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship for postdoctoral researchers.General RequirementsYou must fulfill the following criteria to successfully apply for the Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship:Nationality/StayYou hold German citizenship.If you are a citizen of a country other than Germany, you are eligible to apply if you are working academically in Germany at the time of application. You should already be integrated into the German academic system and intend to come back into the German academic system after your planned stay abroad.To successfully apply, you must not have spent more than 6 months in total in the selected host country within the 18-month period prior to submitting your application.Confirmation that research facilities are available/host’s statementAn academic of your choice who is either a member of the Humboldt Network abroad or a recipient of a selected international science award working abroad must provide you with written confirmation that research facilities are available, submit a mentoring agreement and compile a detailed review for you.Expert ReviewsYou can provide two expert reviews.Postdocs: Your doctoral supervisor and one other researcher – from outside of your institute, if possible – should provide well-grounded information on your qualifications.Language SkillsYou must have a good knowledge of the language of your host country, or at least an excellent command of English.We expect you to abide by the rules of good scientific practice and the principles of scientific ethics.

Ineligibility

Fellowships for researchers from Germany who want to conduct research in Ukraine, Russia or Belarus have been suspended. Applications for a research stay in one of these countries are not possible at the present time.You may not apply for the Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship if you have already received sponsorship from the Humboldt Foundation.Short-term visits for study and training purposes or for attending conferences are not eligible for sponsorship.Potential applicants who have been in the host country for more than six months within the last 18 months prior to submitting the application are not eligible to apply. Any person who, regardless of their country of residence, has supported themselves for more than six out of the last 18 months with financing from institutions in the host country or who has worked on a doctoral project at an institution in the host country in the last 18 months also is not eligible to apply.