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German Chancellor Fellowship for Prospective Leaders

Time schedule (application procedure and fellowship)
Time schedule
(application procedure and fellowship)

Submit an application if you are a prospective leader from the USA, the Russian Federation or the People's Republic of China and, having completed your first degree (at least a Bachelor's or comparable degree), have subsequently gained work experience and have already shown outstanding leadership potential in your career. A German Chancellor Fellowship allows you to carry out a project of your own design in cooperation with a host in Germany you have selected.

The programme is under the patronage of the German Chancellor and also incorporates an intensive language course in Germany, a four-week introductory seminar in Bonn and Berlin, a study trip around Germany and a final meeting in Berlin. These activities provide additional insights into the social, cultural, economic and political life of Germany.

Candidates from all professions and disciplines, but especially individuals in the humanities, law, social sciences and economics, are eligible to apply to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation directly. The Humboldt Foundation grants up to ten German Chancellor Fellowships annually for prospective leaders from each of the three countries named.

Application deadlines:
For applicants from the People's Republic of China: June 30
For applicants from the United States: October 15
For applicants from the Russian Federation: November 15

Online application

Other important details

Further information

  1. Citizenship of the USA, the Russian Federation, or the People's Republic of China.
  2. Bachelor's or comparable academic degree, completed less than twelve years prior to the start date of the fellowship (September 1st of the year following the application).
  3. Confirmation of support and a detailed statement by the host/mentor in Germany; details of the planned project must be discussed with the prospective host/mentor prior to application.
  4. Expert references (2-3) from individuals qualified to comment on the applicant's professional, personal, and / or academic eligibility.
  5. The applicant may not have spent an extended period outside his or her home country prior to application. Applications by candidates who have spent more than six months away from their own countries at the time of or shortly before application may be rejected on formal grounds. If you have questions reqarding your eligibility, contact the Humboldt Foundation info@avh.de before submitting an application.
  6. The Humboldt Foundation assumes that candidates will abide by the Rules of Good Scientific Practice during the application and sponsorship periods.

Online application

Applications must be completed online. There are different closing dates for the three programme lines:

-For applicants from the People’s Republic of China: 30 June each year
-For applicants from the USA: 15 October each year
-For applicants from the Russian Federation: 15 November each year

Time schedule (application procedure and fellowship)
Time schedule
(application procedure and fellowship)

The completed application form including all the additional documents required must be submitted online by the respective closing date. Click on the tab "Online-Application" to  find additional information on all the documentation required and be able to access the online application procedure. Confirmation that your documents have been received will be sent to you as soon as you have submitted them.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that he or she has submitted all the necessary documents. Incomplete applications may be excluded from the selection procedure.

Your proposed host in Germany should send his/her confidential statement directly to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation by the closing date at the latest.
Upon review of all applications, an independent Selection Committee will select the candidates for an interview. These interviews will take place at a Selection Committee meeting in the applicant's home country. Candidates will be notified about the Selection Committee's decision within a few days days after the meeting. Additional information on the selection procedure can also be found in the FAQs.

Online application

If you wish to submit an application you must register first. Click here to register. Applicants should now choose the appropriate programme line.

Your email address is also your user name. Applicants must choose a password on registration. After registering you will be sent an email with a link which will allow you to log-on and access the application form using your user name and password.

You can interrupt the application process at any time and save your data.

The application may only be submitted once.

Should you experience any problems with the online application please send an email to info(at)avh.de.

Online application

Application documents

Further information

One of our hallmarks is the degree of support we try to provide for every single guest researcher. This is why we offer you extra benefits in addition to the monthly research fellowship: from invitations to events, via language courses to family allowances.

Further information

Once an Humboldtian, always an Humboldtian: Even after your research stay has come to an end, we shall still maintain close contact with you. Our alumni sponsorship is flexible and designed to support every Humboldtian’s particular path in life and development as well as collaborations between individuals.

Further information

This programme is financed by the: