IScO Newsletter June 2026

• Good Morning, Karlsruhe
• International Deutschrunde: Practice speaking German
• IScO’s BBQ
• IScO’s Excursion: Cabrio-Sightseeing through Heidelberg City
• IScO's Excursion: ZKM (Center for Art and Media) Tour

• Diner au KIT 2026
• KIT Award for Outstanding Doctoral Supervision
• Campus North Library 70th Anniversary
• Special Program for International Academic Freedom
• ICM Future Mobility Grants of the InnovationCampus Mobility of the Future (ICM)
• Information Sessions on Funding Schemes and Support Options, organized by KIT Research Office (FOR)
• KHYS FIT Course Offerings: Fit for your next career step
• Schmidt Science Fellows 2027: Call for Nominations
• KHYS-Aspirant Grant

• Events in Karlsruhe
• University of Stuttgart: Webinar on Income Tax
• Digital GreenTalents Award for High Potentials in Sustainable Development

• Research Travel Grant
• Colombian–German Collaboration in Research: Joint Research Projects between DFG and Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (PUJ)
• HIDA Mobility Program: Call for Applications
• Virtual Career Coaching (DAAD and Humboldt Community)
• JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship
• Université Franco-Allemande (UFA) – Deutsch-Französische Hochschule (DFH)

Good Morning, Karlsruhe

What?
Good Morning, Karlsruhe is a new welcome series by the International Scholars and Welcome Office (IScO). It offers international academics and researchers a warm, personal point of contact at KIT and will be hosted every other week. Meet the IScO team in person, ask questions, get orientation on institutional and practical matters, and connect with fellow international scholars in an informal and welcoming setting. Light refreshments will be provided. Please note that photos may be taken for communication and documentation purposes. If you prefer not to be photographed, please inform the organizers in advance.

Goals of the events 

• Form a foundational pillar of a strong international welcoming culture at KIT
• Serve as an approachable and reliable reference point between international scholars and their new academic and social environment.
• Appreciate the diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences of international visitors.

Target group
Newly arrived international researchers and visitors at KIT. International academics who are already at KIT are also welcome to join.

Upcoming event
KIT-Campus South: June 15, 2026
KIT-Campus North: July 29, 2026

Registration: Please register for the event at Campus South and Campus North.

IScO's Deutschrunde: German Meetups for International Scholars

What?
From confusion to confidence, practice speaking German with professional language teacher Ms. Maike Schröder.

We offer
• Regular German conversation and speaking practice.
• Support with grammar questions and language challenges.
• A welcoming international learning community.
• Exchange with fellow researchers, PhD students, and postdocs who share similar international experiences.
• Guidance from a professional German language instructor, Ms. Maike Schröder, who will guide and support whenever needed.

Where?
Campus South
Building 50.20
Room 005

When?
Every Wednesday from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Registration
No registration required.

IScO's International BBQ in June

We would like to invite you and your friends, family and colleagues to our International BBQ on the roof top terrace of our KIT Guesthouse. Enjoy a relaxed get-together where cultures, conversations, and cuisines come together!

Bring your favorite dish, enjoy grilled food, and connect with fellow researchers from around the world. Whether you're new in town or just love a good barbecue, this is the perfect chance to meet, mingle, and celebrate summer in an international atmosphere.

On top of that - if you are interested - we will be streaming the soccer world cup match South Africa vs. Czech Republic.

We are looking forward to meeting you!

If questions arise, please write us an e-mail. 
Please feel free to share this offer among your network!

IScO's June Excursion: "Cabrio-Sightseeing" Bus Tour through Heidelberg

Immerse yourself in the 800 year history of Heidelberg's historic city center and experience the scenic beauty of this city on the Neckar River. The Heidelberg City Tour offers a perfect overview of the city and provides tips on things to do. The bus tour takes about 40 minutes.

Discover Heidelberg comfortably by bus and later pick and chose where to go!

• Date and Time: Saturday, June 20, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM 
• Venue: Heidelberg, Cabrio-Sightseeing Heidelberg
• Cost: €10 per person (no train ticket included)
• Transportation: We will take the train from Karlsruhe Main Train Station to Heidelberg. The Deutschlandticket is valid for this travel.
• End: You can chose how long to stay in Heidelberg. The official trip ends after the sightseeing tour.

Registration: Registration required. Please also register any friends, colleagues, or children you plan to bring along in a separate form (for organizational reasons)

We are looking forward to meeting you!

If questions arise, please write us an e-mail. 
Please feel free to share this offer among your network!

IScO's July Excursion: Center for Art and Media (ZKM) Tour

Founded in 1989, the ZKM | Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe stands worldwide for an open concept of art in the digital age. At the ZKM, scientific collection and archive research is intertwined with artistic research on the electronic arts. Through these interdisciplinary connections, the ZKM presents and produces the evolution of art and media of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Please note: This tour is specifically for adults only and does not include children. We will offer another family friendly excursion next month!

• Date and Time: Saturday, July 18, from 9:45 AM to 12:00 PM
• Venue: ZKM Karlsruhe, Lorenzstraße 19, 76135 Karlsruhe
• Cost: €10 per person
• Transportation: We will meet at the entrance of the museum at 9:45 AM
• Nearest tram stop: Line 2: ZKM or Line 4: Landesbausparkasse

Registration: Registration required. Please also register any friends or colleagues you plan to bring along in a separate form (for organizational reasons).

We are looking forward to meeting you!

If questions arise, please write us an e-mail. 
Please feel free to share this offer among your network!

Dîner au KIT

What?
Pack your picnic basket with your own three-course menu, grab your colleagues, fellow students, or former classmates, and enjoy a summer evening in the open air. Dîner au KIT is the ideal opportunity to strike up conversations, revive old contacts, build new networks, and celebrate working, studying, and being part of the KIT community in a relaxed atmosphere.

Long tables made from traditional beer garden furniture will be waiting for you, where we will raise a glass together to celebrate the unique and vibrant KIT community.

Not only students and staff are invited, but also our alumni who continue to feel connected to KIT. Whether you are currently working or studying at KIT, or returning as a graduate to your former place of activity, Dîner au KIT offers the perfect setting for encounters across generations.

Once again, Dîner au KIT will be accompanied by a varied supporting program, and refreshing drinks will of course be provided—creating the perfect conditions for an all-around successful evening.

Where and when?
July 17, 2026, starting at 6:00 PM
at Campus South

Who can attend?
All students, alumni, staff and researchers.

Registration:
Register by 14 June on our website.

KIT Award for Outstanding Doctoral Supervision

What?
With the newly established KIT Award for Outstanding Doctoral Supervision, KIT honors supervisors who demonstrate exceptional commitment to supporting doctoral researchers and highlights the importance of a supportive and inspiring culture of supervision at KIT.

We are seeking supervisors (individuals or teams) who demonstrate excellence and outstanding dedication in doctoral supervision.

You can nominate candidates, following these guidelines.

Deadline
Friday, June 12, 2026

Campus North Library 70th Anniversary

In 2026, we will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the KIT Library on Campus North (BIB-N). Since its founding in 1956, it has been a central place of knowledge, exchange, and innovation.

We look forward to celebrating this anniversary with you and cordially invite you to our events during the anniversary year.

See the various events on the Campus North Website.

Special Program for International Academic Freedom

What?
The program is run by the Baden-Württemberg Foundation. The aim is to offer research opportunities in Baden-Württemberg to young academics whose academic freedom or research mobility is restricted due to political circumstances or their nationality.

Who can take part?
Postdoctoral researchers whose academic freedom or research mobility is restricted due to political circumstances or their nationality. Candidates may come from abroad or from Germany (e.g. if a previously planned research stay abroad was canceled due to such restrictions).

Funding
Duration: up to 24 months

Funding amount:

• 2,500 € monthly stipend

• One-off lump sum of € 1,500 (e.g. for participation in a conference)

Maximum: up to two scholarship holders per university

Submission / Nomination
Submission of the project proposal by the KIT Institute by e-mail to oliver.kaas@kit.edu.

Internal deadline
July 1, 2026

Further details about the nomination process and required documents are available via the application document (only available in German).

If you have any questions, please contact Oliver Kaas.

ICM Future Mobility Grants of the InnovationCampus Mobility of the Future (ICM)

The ICM Future Mobility Grants of the InnovationCampus Mobility of the Future (ICM) support institutes at KIT in quickly and pragmatically initiating or expanding international research collaborations. The grants are particularly suitable for preparing joint research projects and larger third-party funding proposals. International guests are closely supported by the ICM and IScO team both during the preparation phase and throughout their stay, ensuring smooth onboarding and effective collaboration with the host institute.

Four funding formats are available:

Mid-term Fellowships for Experts:

For two to six-months stays of international senior scientists at the University of Stuttgart or at KIT (Fellowships).

• For whom: Postdocs, experienced scientists, professors from abroad
• Duration: 2-6 months stay at KIT or the University of Stuttgart

Short-term Grants for International Collaboration:

For multiple stays of international senior scientists at KIT or at the University of Stuttgart.

• For whom: Postdocs, experienced scientists, professors from all countries.
• Duration: several short research stays within one calendar year at KIT or the University of Stuttgart.

Visiting Professors / International Experts:

For advisory contracts of international senior scientists at KIT or at the University of Stuttgart.

• For whom: Postdocs, experienced scientists, professors from all countries.
• Duration: advisory contract with minimum duration of 12 months

Short-term Grants for Talents:

For a several weeks stay abroad of young scientists of KIT or the University of Stuttgart.

• For whom: Doctoral researchers and postdocs of KIT or the University of Stuttgart
• Duration: research stay abroad for several weeks

If you already have a potential partner or collaboration idea in mind, we would be happy to advise you briefly on the most suitable funding line. Please contact Catherine Baumann via e-mail or by phone: +49 173 97 97 896.

Information sessions on a broad range of funding schemes and support options, organized by KIT Research Office (FOR)

The KIT Research Office (FOR) is pleased to invite all KIT researchers to a series of free online information events in 2026, providing comprehensive information on a broad range of funding schemes and support options:

• How to prepare an excellent ERC project and write a competitive proposal
  • June, 11, 2026, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM, in English
• Intensive Writing Workshop: Mastering DFG Proposal Requirements for Early-Career Researchers
  • October, 6, 2026, 9:00 AM-2:00 PM, in English
• Q&A Session zum ZIM-Förderprogramm
  • November, 12, 2026, 11:00-12:00 AM, in German
• Funding opportunities for young researchers
  • December, 16, 2026, 11:00 -12:30 AM, in English
• DFG Emmy Noether Programme & Helmholtz Investigator Group
  • December, 17, 2026, 10:00-12:30 AM, in English

The KIT Research Office offers an overview for all events in 2026.

KHYS FIT Course Offerings: Fit for your next career step

What?
The KHYS Further Education Program “Fit for your next career step” is a structured portfolio of training courses that supports your professional development during the doctoral and postdoc phase. It brings together expertise from established external trainers and institutions at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.

Who is it for?
The overall FIT course program is aimed equally at doctoral researchers and postdocs. Courses with a particular focus for doctoral researchers or postdocs are marked accordingly (D or P). You can also use the dedicated KHYS overview pages for Doctoral Researchers and for Postdocs to identify courses that fit your current qualification phase.

How to choose the right courses
The FIT overview helps you filter in two ways:

1. By topic area, for example Research Skills, Communication, Management and Leadership, Languages, Career, E Learning, and Teaching.

2. By career path, using the module labels FIT for Science, FIT for Industry, FIT for Founding, and FIT Basics.

Examples of topics covered
Within Research Skills, listed course topics include Doctoral and Postdoc Phase: Milestones and Processes, Managing Information and Data, Third Party Funding, and Methods and Good Research Practice. Research skills are described as relevant for careers in science, and also useful for industry paths and founding.

Where to find the individual course dates
Use the Event Calendar. Icons with coloured borders indicate which subject area a course belongs to, and you can match them to the subject areas shown in the overview.

If you have further question, please contact Viola Schroff for organisational questions and Dr. Claire Earnshaw and Dr. Lisa Leander for content-related matters.

Aspirant Grant (Doctoral Researcher/Postdoc) by Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS) 

Asprirant Grant (Doc/Postdoc) enables KIT professors and research group leaders to invite promising scientists who are interested in doing research at KIT as a doctorate researcher/postdoc in the near future to spend one month on-site. During the visit, both parties receive the chance to get to know each other and to discuss the possibility of doing a doctorate/postdoc at KIT. The funding measure is part of the KHYS Postdoc Office and is sponsored by the Initiative and Networking Fund of the Helmholtz Association.

Target group: KIT professors and research group leaders

Funding: KHYS will cover the travel and accommodation expenses for the aspirant’s stay

Deadline: Applications for both measures may be handed in anytime as long as funds are available.

If you have further questions, please contact Denisa Kičmerová (KHYS) via e-mail.

Please feel free to share this offer among your network!

Events in Karlsruhe

Do you want to get in touch with other English speaking people?

• The American Library has regular events in English for kids and adults.
• For adults: Sing Along with Baton Rouge (June 12) American Library Book Club (June 18)
• For kids: Stuffed Animal Sleepover (starting June 24) and many more!
• The Karlsruhe Toastmasters (Website only available in German) meet every 1st, 3rd and 5th Monday of the month from 7:15 to 9:15 PM to practice public speaking in English with friendly, relaxed support from speakers from around 
  the world. 
• Karlsruhe's English-Speaking Meetup Group is a means for anyone to organize events and activities. The most popular regular event is the monthly Stammtisch where you can meet nice people who speak English in a relaxed atmosphere. Start is 6:30 PM until around 10:00 PM. The June Stammtisch is on Tuesday, June 9 at Kaisergarten. Anyone can participate, but it helps the organizers if you sign up first – and remove your name if you can no longer attend!

Do you want to improve your German?

• Sprecht miteinander! Speak with each other!
  Practice your spoken German in a relaxed atmosphere. People of similar language ability form groups moderated by a volunteer. Free and no registration required. Wednesdys and Fridays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM.
  Bürgerzentrum Mühlburg (BZM)  Weinbrennerstr. 79a  76185 Karlsruhe
  Just stop by
• The IBZ offers practice in speaking German via Skype on Mondays and in person on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM.
• Other opportunities to practice speaking in German can be found on the Integration page of the City of Karlsruhe. Just switch the language (Sprache) at the top of the page to find out more.

What events are coming up in Karlsruhe?

• June 12 - 14: Lounge 76 - Market square lounge all weekend long with cocktails and DJ music at the pyramid
• June 20: Flee Market at Messplatz
• June 26: "Parkplatzfest" - Food, drinks, and live music in the parking lot in the Willy-Andreas-Allee
• June 26 - August 9: Zeltival at Tollhaus - All genres music festival
• June 27 and 28: "Architecture Day" - Private and public buildings open their doors to visitors

Uni Stuttgart Event: Webinar on Income Tax

What?
The webinar will cover topics like tax identification number and its purpose, tax deductions and tax brackets, tax returns and benefits and how to file an income tax declaration.
Afterward, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

Where and when?
Online via Webex, June 25, 2026 at 5:00 PM.

Registration
You can register here until June 22. If you already registered for both the VBL Pension Rights and Income Tax webinar you do not need to register again.
If you register as an external researcher i.e., not from the University of Stuttgart, please state the name of your University at the Your institute at the University of Stuttgart*  bracket.

For further information, please contact gwl@ia.uni-stuttgart.de.

Digital GreenTalents Award for High Potentials in Sustainable Development

What?
The German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) sponsors the prestigious Award "Digital GreenTalents –High Potentials in Sustainable Development" to harness the vast potential of the digitally-driven era for GreenTech and CleanTech applications.  
The award promotes the global exchange of innovative ideas with a focus on cutting-edge fields such as AI, advanced digital tools, and AI-driven robotics. It brings together outstanding young scientists and researchers from all over the world to develop forward-looking solutions for sustainable digital innovation. Moreover, it offers a unique opportunity for long-term cooperation with Germany’s vibrant Digital GreenTech community.

Who can apply?
• Current enrolment in a doctoral program or 3 months after graduation, or current enrolment in the last year of a master's program. A strong focus on research topics combining digital solutions and GreenTech applications.
• Age: up to 30 years (with exceptions for childcare etc.)
• Proven very good knowledge of English
• Distinctly above average grades
• Interest and commitment to actively participate in all parts of the Digital GreenTalents program

Deadline
June 15, 2026

Application
How to Apply - Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V.
Application Form Digital Green Talents Award 2026

For further information, please visit the award website.

Research Travel Grant

What?
With the Research Travel Grant, we support your travel and living expenses for a three to six-month research stay at a university or company abroad. The stay abroad should be an extension of your research work and not constitute an essential component thereof.

Use the opportunity to get to know other scientific systems, expand your scientific and intercultural skills, establish international contacts and strengthen your future career options. 

Target Group: KIT doctoral researchers & postdocs

Supported Activities
Three to six-month research stay at a university or company abroad

Scope of Funding
Grant amount is based on the support rates of DAAD and depends on the duration of the research stay as well as the destination

The Research Travel Grant cannot be used for participation in congresses and conferences.

For further information, please visit the KHYS-website.

Procope-Program

What?
Would you like to establish or intensify cooperation with a French research team? Procope is a Project-Based Personnel Exchange Program (PPP) on the German side and a Partenariat Hubert Curien (PHC) on the French side. The projects run for two years, during which short-term exchanges between France and Germany take place regularly.

When?
Project start from January 2027

Who can apply ?
The call for applications aims at researchers working at universities or research institutions. Companies can also participate in the project, provided they collaborate with an academic partner. All scientific disciplines are eligible for funding.

Applications must be submitted via the DAAD portal (see "PPP"). Your application is only valid if the French partner also applies.

Deadline: July 1, 2026


If you have further questions, please contact Manuella Werp via e-mail.
You can also send your questions by email to sterz@daad.de and attache-science.berlin-amba@diplomatie.gouv.fr.

Colombian–German Collaboration in Research: Joint Research Projects between DFG and Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (PUJ)

What?
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (PUJ) in Colombia offer joint funding opportunities for bilateral research projects in any field of research. The programme operates under a Standing Open Procedure (SOP) based on a Memorandum of Understanding between both institutions.

Researchers from Germany and PUJ can apply for joint research projects of outstanding scientific quality under the DFG Research Grants Programme (“Sachbeihilfe”). Funding can be requested for up to three years, and proposals may be submitted at any time without fixed deadlines.

There are no separate funds for this initiative. Proposals compete with all other submissions within the DFG Research Grants Programme and must succeed based on their scientific quality and the strength of the research team. The scientific content of the proposals submitted to both organisations must be identical.

Who can apply?
A project consortium with at least:

• One researcher based in Germany eligible for DFG funding
• One researcher from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (PUJ) in Colombia

All applicants must meet the eligibility requirements of their respective funding organisation.

Additional requirements / selection criteria

• Proposals are evaluated independently by both funding organisations. Funding of the joint project is contingent upon positive assessment by both DFG and PUJ
• The DFG strongly encourages applications from researchers of all genders, career stages, institutional backgrounds, and diverse social or cultural backgrounds.
• Funding may only be awarded to institutions that have implemented the DFG Code of Conduct for Safeguarding Good Research Practice.

Timeline and deadline

• Standing Open Procedure (SOP): proposals can be submitted at any time
• Maximum funding period: up to three years

If you have further questions, please contact:

• Dr. Dietrich Halm, DFG Head Office Bonn, via e-mail or phone under +49 228 885-2347
• Dr. Christina Peters , DFG Office Latin America (São Paulo), via e-mail or phone under  +49 228 885-4550
• Carla Ramírez or/and Kewin Cárdenas, PUJ (Main Campus), International Project Manager via e-mail
• Mayra Alejandra López, PUJ Cali Branch Campus, Coordinator of External Resources and/or Hesam Sadeghian Rios, PUJ Cali Branch Campus, International Cooperation Manager via e-mail

HIDA Mobility Program: Call for Applications

What?
The HIDA Mobility Program enables fully funded short-term research stays (1–3 months) for all Helmholtz employees at another Helmholtz Center or at international partner institutions in Norway and South Korea. Projects must have a clear link to (applied) data and information sciences. The program aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, facilitate the exchange of expertise, and support the exploration of new research domains.

Who can apply?
PhD researchers, postdocs, senior scientists, and administrative staff at Helmholtz Centers working in fields with a strong connection to data and information sciences.

Applications are currently accepted for the following funding lines

• Helmholtz Internal Mobility Program (Exchange between Helmholtz Centers): Allows Helmholtz researchers and administrative personnel who work with a strong link to the data/information sciences to spend a research/project stay of up to three months at another Helmholtz Center to broaden their expertise and initiate new collaborations. PhDs, Postdocs, Senior Scientists as well as administrative personnel are eligible to apply.For an overview of the 18 Helmholtz Centers and their expertise in Data Science and AI, visit the Coming to Helmholtz page.
  Information on Helmholtz scientists who are open to hosting researchers within the HIDA Mobility Program can be found in the Helmholtz Hosts database.
• Canada Mobility Program: Enables research stays of up to 3 months at one of 12 research centers of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), our partner in Canada, within the HIDA–NRC cooperation. Helmholtz researchers are eligible to apply for the program.
• Norway Mobility Program: Enables research stays from 1-3 months at one of the 17 institutes of the Norwegian Artificial Intelligence Research Consortium (NORA), our partner in Norway. PhDs, Postdocs and Senior Researchers as well as administrative personnel at Helmholtz Centers are eligible to apply for the program.
• South Korea Program: Enables research stays from 1-3 months at one of 22 research institutes of the Korean National Research Council for Science and Technology (NST), our partner in Korea. PhDs, Postdocs and Senior Researchers as well as administrative personnel at Helmholtz Centers are eligible to apply for the program.
• Austria Mobility Program: Enables research stays of up to 3 months at the Complexity Science Hub Vienna (CSH), our partner in Austria, within the HIDA–CSH cooperation. Helmholtz researchers are eligible to apply for the program.

Funding
The program covers travel and accommodation expenses of up to €2,000 per month.

Additional requirements / selection criteria

• The proposed project must demonstrate a clear data and information science link.
• Applicants should aim to strengthen interdisciplinary exchange and initiate or deepen collaborations.
• Hosts should ideally be listed in the Helmholtz Host Database.

Deadline
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Submission
Applications can be submitted through the HIDA Mobility Program portal. 

Call for Helmholtz Hosts: If you are a Helmholtz scientist working with data science and would like to be listed in the Helmholtz Host database in order to welcome scientists in your group, please write an e-maill to hida.mobility@helmholtz.de.

If you have further questions, please contact Stefanie Gruber-Sliva via e-mail.

Virtual Career Coaching (DAAD and Humboldt Community)

What?
Have you just finished your studies or are you about to graduate, and now you are facing applications, interviews, or bigger career decisions? The DAAD and Humboldt Community offers virtual career coaching exclusively for its members. You can get individual advice from experienced career coaches and choose up to two modules of 60 minutes each.

Coaching modules include:

• Analysis and improvement of application documents, plus guidance on developing your application strategy
• Preparation for job interviews and selection processes
• Next career step or career change, including moving into self-employment and developing your career strategy
• Other topics depending on your needs, such as work life balance, presentations, and mastering new challenges

Where and when?
Career coaching takes place online in virtual rooms. Registrations can be submitted on an ongoing basis.

Who can take part?
Current scholarship holders and alumni of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the DAAD.

Additional requirements / selection criteria

• Membership in the DAAD and Humboldt Community with a well maintained profile (registration required)
• Proof of funding from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation or the DAAD may be required
• Technical requirements: fast and stable internet access, webcam, and headse
• Members can choose up to two coaching modules (60 minutes each)

Registration
Register for the DAAD and Humboldt Community and submit your registration online on an ongoing basis.

If you have further questions, please contact the DAAD & Humboldt Community via e-mail.

JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship

What?
The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Research Fellowship supports highly qualified postdocs from Germany in conducting research in Japan, regardless of discipline. The standard line funds research stays of 12 to 24 months and applications are pre-selected by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation on behalf of JSPS. You must begin your fellowship in Japan between April, 1, 2026 and November, 30, 2026 of the respective financial year. You may not depart for Japan between December, 1, 2027 and March, 31, 2027.

Who can apply?
Highly qualified postdocs from Germany who meet the requirements stated in the call, including:

• PhD completed no more than six years ago (cut off date: April 1 of the corresponding financial year) and doctoral certificate available by the latest at the start of the fellowship
• Peer reviewed publications to international standards
• German citizenship or a permanent residence permit for Germany
• Excellent English skills (Japanese is not necessarily required, but may be needed in some fields to carry out the research)
• Japanese citizens are not eligible (also applies to dual citizens with Japanese nationality), and applicants with a permanent residence permit for Japan are also ineligible
• You also need an academic host in Japan at a university or selected national research institution, and the host cannot be a close personal or family relation.

Funding

• Monthly fellowship amount currently JPY 362,000
• One off settling in allowance of JPY 200,000 for stays of three months or more
• Travel and insurance allowances may also be paid
  During the stay, the Humboldt Foundation provides a contact person and offers additional support measures, including reintegration support in Germany and alumni sponsorship.

Deadline
The Selection Committee reviews applications in June, and October. Please submit your completed application, including all required documents, well in advance of your preferred selection date. Applications are usually processed within four to seven months. Incomplete or inaccurate applications may take longer and are often deferred to a later Selection Committee meeting. After the selection meeting, the Alexander von Humboldt team will inform you of the outcome as quickly as possible by email.

Submission
Apply online to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, in English only. Before applying, discuss your independently developed research outline with your chosen academic host in Japan. The documents required for the submission can be found on the Alexander von Humboldt Website.

If you have further questions, please contact the Alexander von Humboldt team via e-mail before submitting your application.

Université Franco-Allemande (UFA) – Deutsch-Französische Hochschule (DFH) 

Different funding opportunities for double degrees*, PhD-Track programs*, preparatory meetings, doctoral colleges*, joint PhDs*, scientific events, Franco-German chairs.

Some of the funding mechanisms are open all the year.

Learn more about the calls in German or French.
For further questions, please write an e-mail to Manuella Werp.