Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s Sofja Kovalevskaja Award 2018 for International Researchers

Requirements for applicants include the following:

• international researchers from all countries and disciplines can apply
• PhD with outstanding results
• excellent academic track record demonstrated by an extensive list of independent academic publications
• support from a host research institution in Germany

Requirements

1. Doctorate or comparable academic degree (Ph.D., C.Sc. or equivalent), completed with distinction less than six years prior to the application submission deadline. Should it not be possible or customary to take a Ph.D. in your subject or country of origin, you may apply up to ten years after completing your Master’s or Diploma Degree provided that your publication record is commensurate with a Ph.D. and your current career stage.
2. Career level: the award would enable the successful applicant to take on a leadership position (e.g. head of a junior research group) in Germany for the first time. Moreover, the applicant must not have held or accepted an offer of permanent employment in Germany. The relevant date is the date of the selection.
3. Cutting-edge academic achievements documented particularly by a comprehensive list of independent academic publications reviewed according to international standards and printed in journals and/or by publishing houses.
4. Support of the German host institution, evidenced by a detailed expert’s report from the academic host as well as the host’s agreement and the confirmation from the administration at the host institution.
5. Two supporting expert reviews from academics (at the applicant’s own institute or other institutes, where possible including some outside the applicant’s country of origin).
6. Language skills: scholars in the humanities or social sciences and physicians must have a good knowledge of German if it is necessary to carry out the project successfully; otherwise a good knowledge of English; scientists and engineers must have a good knowledge of German or English.
7. No previous Sofja Kovalevskaja Award.
8. Origin: Foreign academics staying in Germany are eligible to apply if they have lived outside Germany for a minimum of 12 months in total in the 18-month period prior to the application submission deadline. Educational residents are subject to the regulations governing Germans. German academics are eligible to apply if they have been working in an academic capacity abroad for a longer time. For more details please check with the FAQ.
9. The Humboldt Foundation assumes that candidates will abide by the Rules of Good Scientific Practice and the legally-binding principles of scientific ethics during the application and sponsorship periods.