Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award

Eligibility

Eligible for nomination are researchers whose outstanding academic qualification is internationally recognised and can be demonstrated through corresponding successes in 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.
• The nominee must have lived and worked outside Germany for over five years at the time of nomination.
• The nominee must not yet have entered permanent employment in Germany at the time of selection.

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation aims to achieve a good balance between genders and a high level of diversity among its fellows in all areas. We therefore expressly welcome the nominiation of female scientists and members of underrepresented groups.

Summary

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation presents approximately 20 Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Awards annually to internationally renowned academics from abroad in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments in research. The award is named for German astronomer and mathematician Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel (1784–1846) and funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

The award amount is €60,000. 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 sixmonths 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

There is no nomination deadline for this Award. Nominations can be sent at any time.

Nominations may be submitted online by established academics in Germany. Nominations may also be initiated by award winners of the Humboldt Foundation working abroad, provided that the nomination is made jointly with a colleague working in Germany. Self-nomination is not possible, nor may you nominate close relatives or your marital/registered partner.