Gerda Henkel Foundation: General Research Grants - Scholarships

Gerda Henkel Foundation: General Research Grants - Scholarships

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Gerda Henkel Foundation
Amount: Up to €89,280
Last Updated: November 27, 2025

Summary

The Gerda Henkel Foundation offers research scholarships to postdoctoral scholars in the historical humanities, supporting projects relevant to current societal issues. Funding typically lasts between one to 24 months and does not require institutional affiliation. Eligible fields include archaeology, history of art, and historical Islamic studies, among others. Applicants must hold a PhD and meet specific criteria regarding their research projects and previous scholarship applications. This initiative aims to foster scholarly work that contributes to cultural heritage and societal understanding.

Overview

About the Foundation The Gerda Henkel Foundation provides financial support for the historical humanities. Research projects that explore current issues in a larger historical context or consciously focus on topics of relevance to the present or the future receive support from programmes of a limited duration such as the the special programme “Forced Migration”, or the “Democracy” and “Lost Cities” funding programmes. As part of the Lisa Maskell Fellowship programme, the Foundation supports young scholars in the humanities in Africa. With its “Patrimonies” funding initiative, it promotes the preservation of the cultural heritage, specifically in regions experiencing crisis. In connection with funded projects, the Foundation also provides assistance for social support measures as part of complementary projects. The Gerda Henkel Foundation can by virtue of its statutes pursue its objectives both inside and outside Germany. Type and scope of the funding Applications for research scholarships can be made directly by Postdocs or scholars with Post Doctoral Lecture Qualification. A research scholarship is usually applied for by one scholar who will work on a specific project on his own. An institutional affiliation is not necessary. The simultaneous receipt of salary or retirement pension and a research scholarship is not possible. The funding period is generally between one and 24 months.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Research Projects in Which Fields of Scholarship are Eligible for Support:ArchaeologyHistory of ArtHistorical Islamic StudiesHistoryHistory of ScienceHistory of LawPrehistory and Early HistoryWhat General Criteria are There for Applicants:Support does not depend on the applicant's nationality or location.No institutional affiliation is necessary.The applicant must hold a PhD or be eligible to be a junior professor (different support levels).As equivalent to the German Habilitation the Foundation accepts positions as "Associate Professor" or "Full Professor"/"Distinguished Professor" (according to the North American university system) and "Senior Lecturer" or, "Reader"/"Professor" (according to the Commonwealth university system), respectively.What Criteria Apply for Post-Docs:The PhD must have been awarded not more than ten years earlier.The PhD thesis must already have been published.The research project must differ clearly from the topic of the PhD thesis.Any prior Gerda Henkel Foundation research scholarship must have been granted at least five years earlier.The last rejected application must have been submitted at least three years earlier.Projects that the Gerda Henkel Foundation has already rejected may not be re-submitted.What Criteria Apply for Junior Professors:Any prior Gerda Henkel Foundation research scholarship must have been granted at least five years earlier. The last rejected application must have been submitted at least three years earlier. Projects that the Gerda Henkel Foundation has already rejected may not be re-submitted.What Proposals can be Submitted:PhD-and/or research scholarships for the project participant(s)If necessary monthly family grantIf necessary monthly endowment for scholarships abroadSupport for Student assistantTravel aidMaterial aidWhat Rules Apply for Research Scholarships:Only full-time scholarships are available (max. 5 hrs. a week in other employment).A scholarship cannot be granted if the person is also receiving a salary or drawing a pension.Support can be provided for a period of min. one month and max. 24 months.