Deadline: December 14, 2026
Applications are open for the Humboldt Residency Programme 2027. The Humboldt Residency Programme offers participants the opportunity to intensively cooperate on the annual topic “Oceanic Horizons: The Future of our Blue Planet” and collaboratively generate and communicate tangible new impulses with a broad audience. The Humboldt Residency Programme brings together a transdisciplinary, international group of twelve participants consisting of Humboldtians and early career researchers as well as writers, artists, civil society actors, and social entrepreneurs.
During the six-week residency in Brandenburg and Berlin, with excursions to institutions in Northern Germany and along the North and Baltic Sea coasts, participants will meet daily in shared working spaces, enjoying the unique opportunity to dedicate extensive time and freedom to gaining an in depth understanding of each other’s work across a diverse range of disciplinary backgrounds. They will build transdisciplinary bridges, explore synergies, pose bold questions, think visionary, and connect with relevant stakeholders in Germany and internationally.
While the participants themselves will be enriched by learning from one another, they will also select and implement innovative formats to communicate their key messages to target audiences beyond academia. These may include debates with stakeholders, media appearances, bar talks, interactive workshops, blog and social media posts, or publications.
Funding
Funding for participation in the Humboldt Residency Programme includes
- a monthly allowance during the six-week residency period in Berlin/Brandenburg
- travel allowance for the trip to and from Germany
- accommodation at Schloss Wiepersdorf (2 weeks) and at an aparthotel in Berlin (4 weeks)
- a budget for arranging public event formats or end-of-year output
- For participants travelling with dependent family members, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation will provide suitable family accommodation and support participants in arranging childcare
Eligibility
The participants will be made up of:
- Five Alumni/ae of the Humboldt Foundation who:
- demonstrate relevant academic or professional expertise related to the annual theme that can also be effectively communicated to external audiences.
- demonstrate convincingly in their application that they are willing and able to communicate their work beyond academia. Previous experience in this area is not required.
- have received any form of fellowship or award in the past but are not receiving funding in another one of the foundation’s programmes at the start of the residency (August 2027).
- hold an academic position and are currently not based in Germany.
- Three Early Career Researchers who:
- have prior experience in science communication, or in connecting their research to wider social and political contexts.
- are either currently pursuing their PhD or have completed their PhD less than four years ago at the start of the residency (August 2027).
- hold an academic position and are currently not based in Germany.
- have a clear academic profile related to the annual theme and demonstrate potential for an academic career.
- Four Civil Society Practitioners who:
- can demonstrate a clear connection to the annual theme through their previous work.have the potential to act as multipliers for the ideas and impulses generated during the residency.
- fit one of the following two profiles:
- Creatives, e.g. journalists, authors, filmmakers, curators, artists or designers.
- Practitioners with a professional connection to the annual theme, e.g. people working in politics, (social) entrepreneurs, representatives of social or political campaigns or NGOs, or consultants.
- do not currently hold an academic position.
Application
Note that you may only submit your application once you have uploaded the following documents to the application form:
- Curriculum Vita (max. 3 pages, PDF Format)
- Introduction Video
Deadline for applications is December 14, 2026.
For more information, visit Humboldt Residency Programme.
