Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award — €60,000 research award for internationally renowned researchers

About this program

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation awards roughly 20 Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Awards each year, providing €60,000 and an invitation to conduct a research project at a German research institution for a total stay of six to 12 months (split visits allowed), along with tailored alumni support. Nominations must be submitted by established researchers at German institutions (Humboldt alumni abroad may co-nominate); self-nominations are not permitted. Eligible nominees are internationally recognised researchers from outside Germany who typically earned their doctorate within the last 18 years (exceptions for justified career breaks), have lived and worked outside Germany for over five years, do not hold permanent employment in Germany and have not previously received a Humboldt award. An independent interdisciplinary selection committee meets twice yearly (March and October) and assesses candidates on research excellence, demonstrated influence, and prospects for future impact; the review process takes about six months.