Fraunhofer-Bessel Research Award

Eligibility

Eligible for nomination are researchers whose outstanding academic qualification is internationally recognised and can be demonstrated through corresponding successes in applied research. Nominees must moreover offer a well-founded expectation of future outstanding academic achievements that will have a lasting impact on their discipline beyond their immediate research area. The individual nominated must additionally meet the following criteria:

• The nominated individual must have gained her/his doctorate no more than 18 years ago. An exception to this rule may be made where justified (e.g. in the case of career breaks to raise children).
• The nominee may not previously have received an award from the Humboldt Foundation for her/his academic work.
• At the time of nomination, the nominee must have been predominantly living and working outside Germany for at least five years.
• The nominee must not yet have entered permanent employment in Germany at the time of selection.

Self-nominations are not possible, nor may you nominate close relatives or your marital/registered partner. We particularly encourage the nomination of qualified female researchers.

Summary

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft jointly present up to three Fraunhofer-Bessel Research Awards a year. This science award honours internationally recognised academics working in applied research in all non-European countries for their outstanding scientific achievements.

The award amount is 45,000 EURO. Award winners are also invited to conduct a research project of their choice at a research institution in Germany in cooperation with specialist colleagues there. The award enables a total stay of between six months and a full year, which can be split into multiple stays.

We strive to offer our guest researchers individualised support and funding. Amongst the benefits available to award winners are invitations to numerous events or the opportunity to attend language courses. Our alumni sponsorship measures flexibly support every Humboldtian's individual journey through life, in both their careers and their future collaborations.



 

Application deadlines

Program application deadline

Nominations may be submitted online at any time.

Nominations for the Fraunhofer-Bessel Research Award may be initiated by directors or leading researchers at institutes of the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft in Germany. Humboldt Foundation award winners working abroad are also eligible to submit nominations jointly with a researcher working at a Fraunhofer institute.

• Programme information (PDF, 67 KB)

Online nomination