CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship

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Atenção Pesquisadores! – Attention, researchers from Brazil! The CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship supports you – postdoctoral researchers and experienced researchers – with your research in Germany.

In 2013, the Brazilian research funding organisation CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior) and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation launched the CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship Programme. As a fellow, you will benefit from individual support from the Humboldt Foundation and our diverse sponsorship portfolio.

• CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship Programme information (PDF) for postdocs (PDF, 161 KB)
• CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship Programme information (PDF) for experienced researchers (PDF, 196 KB)
• Information for hosts
• Information for independent peer reviewers
• Recently selected fellows

Genaina Nunes Rodrigues: Software Engineering and Programming Languages

Lais Conceicao Menezes da Silva: Ecology and Biodiversity of Animals and Ecosystems
Alexandre Mendes Cunha: Early Modern History

Juliana Pasquarelli Perez: Modern German Literature

Taicia Pacheco Fill: Natural Product Chemistry

Gerson Roberto Neumann: General and Comparative Literature

Heloisa Estellita: General Criminal Law

Jaqueline Godoy Mesquita: Mathematics

Max Wendell Batista dos Anjos: Physical Geography

Paula Raile Riccardi: Animal Systematics and Morphology
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What we offer

The CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship allows you to conduct your own research at various stages of your career in collaboration with a host at a German research institution of your choice. Host institutes will generally receive a subsidy towards research costs.

• Information on sponsorship during the research stay
• Information on sponsorship for alumni abroad

Postdocs 

Benefit from research sponsorship in Germany at the beginning of your academic career. The CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship for Brazilian postdoctoral researchers enables  you to conduct research in Germany. The monthly fellowship amount is €2,600. Fellowships may last from 6 to 24 months. 

Experienced researchers

You can still apply for research sponsorship in Germany even if you are already well advanced in your academic career. The CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship for experienced Brazilian researchers enables you to conduct research in Germany. The fellowship amount is €3,100. Fellowships may last from 6 to 18 months and can be divided into up to three stays within three years.

General conditions

In addition to the fellowship amount, you will also receive personal support throughout your sponsorship. Prior to your research fellowship, you and your marital partner will be able to attend an intensive language course. You are then flexible to determine the start date of your fellowship yourself. 
Further financial support, including family benefits for children and marital partners and allowances for travel expenses, is also available.

Alumni programmes

We stay in contact even after your research stay has come to an end. Our alumni sponsorship measures flexibly support every Humboldtian’s individual journey through life in both their careers and future research collaborations. A return fellowship or later visits to Germany are also possible.

You must meet the following criteria

The CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship addresses postdoctoral researchers from Brazil with above-average qualifications, regardless of their field.

Postdocs

Did you complete your doctorate within the last four years? Have you been published in academic journals and by publishing houses that are reviewed according to international standards? If so, and if you also fulfil the criteria under the “What is required of you” section, apply for the CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship for postdoctoral researchers.

Experienced researchers

Did you complete your doctorate within the last twelve years? Is your academic profile substantiated by an extensive list of publications in academic journals and by publishing houses that are reviewed according to international standards? If so, and if you fulfil the criteria under the “What is required of you” section, apply for the CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship for experienced researchers.

What is required of you

You must fulfil the following criteria to successfully apply for the CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship:

Nationality

You must be a Brazilian national or have permanent resident status in Brazil. German nationals are eligible to apply provided that they have been living and working in Brazil for at least five years and on the assumption of permanence.

Residency

You must be resident in Brazil and have lived outside of Germany for at least 12 out of the last 18 months.
Confirmation that research facilities are available/host’s statement
A researcher from an academic institution of your choice in Germany will provide you with a mentoring agreement and written confirmation that research facilities are available as well as compiling a detailed review for you.

Confirmation that research facilities are available/host’s statement

A researcher from an academic institution of your choice in Germany will provide you with a mentoring agreement and written confirmation that research facilities are available as well as compiling a detailed review for you.

Language skills

Natural sciences and engineering: You must have a good knowledge of German or English. 
Humanities, social sciences and medicine: You must have a good knowledge of German if this is necessary for successfully conducting your research. Otherwise, good knowledge of English will suffice.

Other

You must abide by the Rules of Good Scientific Practice  (PDF) and the principles of scientific ethics. The foundation provides information on dealing with generative AI in the selection area .

You may not apply for the CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship if you have already received sponsorship from the Humboldt Foundation. In such cases, our alumni programmes are open to you.

How to apply

If you would like to apply for the CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship, please submit the necessary documents online only to both the Humboldt Foundation and Capes. 

You can find the CAPES application documents and further information on the application process on the CAPESwebsite. 
If you have any doubts or questions, please contact us ([email protected]) before submitting your application. We are happy to help.

Apply online
Continue application
Documents to submit
What we need from you

Please note that you may only submit your application once you have uploaded the following documents in the application form:

• curriculum vitae (two pages max)
• research outline (five pages max)
• complete list of your publications (cf. sample list of publications )
• list of selected key publications (cf. sample list of key publications)
• key publications
• doctoral certificate
• German language certificate, if required
• if required: publisher’s acceptance notifications and/or acknowledgement of receipt and summaries/translations of key publications that are not available in English
   
• In addition:
  host’s statement and confirmation that research facilities are available. Please note that these documents can only be uploaded in a protected area by the host personally. You can only submit your application once these documents have been uploaded. Further information and explanations can be found on the application form.

As soon as your online application is received, you will be sent written confirmation by email by both CAPES and the Humboldt Foundation.

Deadlines

The deadline for meeting certain formal conditions is the date on which your application is received.

The application deadline shall be 17:00 Brasilia time on the last working day in May or November respectively of the year preceding the planned research stay.

Selection round	Application	Selection result	Start of the fellowship or language course
Call 18	7 Mar. 2022 – 31 May 2022	until 25 Nov. 2022	March 2023 – November 2023
Call 19	1 June 2022 – 30 Nov. 2022	until 25 May 2023	September 2023 – May 2024
Call 20	1 Dec. 2022 – 31 May 2023	until 27 Nov. 2023	March 2024 – November 2024
Call 21	1 June 2023 – 30 Nov. 2023	until 27 May 2024	September 2024 – May 2025
Call 22	1 Dec. 2023 – 31 May 2024	until 25 Nov. 2024	March 2025 – November 2025
Call 23	3 June 2024 – 29 Nov. 2024	until 26 May 2025	September 2025 – May 2026
Call 24	2 Dec. 2024 – 30 May 2025	until 5 Nov. 2025	March 2026 – November 2026
Call 25	2 June 2025 – 28 Nov. 2025	until 25 May 2026	September 2026 – May 2027

The selection procedure

Your application will essentially be assessed on your individual academic qualifications. Fellows will be selected by a committee appointed by both CAPES and the Humboldt Foundation. The decision will be based on the documents you submit, the host’s statement and, usually, two independent peer reviews requested by CAPES and the Humboldt Foundation.

In past years, on average, 20 to 25 per cent of applicants have received a fellowship.

All the best for your application!

Questions and answers
Application requirements
Do I need an English language certificate?

No, an English language certificate is not required.

What determines the date of a doctorate?

The relevant date is that of completing the final academic part of the doctoral process (e.g., defence of thesis, doctoral viva). This date will usually be included on your doctoral certificate alongside the date of issue. The key date for calculating the period following your doctorate is the date on which your application is received by the Humboldt Foundation.

Which date is valid if I have several doctorates?

In the case of multiple doctorates, the effective date is that of the first doctoral degree (PhD/CSc.).

My doctorate was completed less than four years ago. Can I apply for a fellowship for experienced researchers?

Yes. You should, however, already have a clearly recognisable own research profile and, as a rule, be working at the level of at least assistant professor or junior research group leader, or have a record of several years of independent scientific work.

My doctorate was completed more than four years ago. Can I apply for a fellowship for postdoctoral researchers?

We cannot consider your application for a fellowship for postdoctoral researchers if your doctorate was completed more than four years ago. In case you already have a clearly recognisable own research profile and, as a rule, working at the level of at least assistant professor or junior research group leader, or have a record of several years of independent scientific work, you can apply for a fellowship for experienced researchers. If you have passed the deadline, an exception may be made in well-founded cases (e.g. recognition of parental leave).

I obtained my doctorate more than twelve years ago. Can I still apply for a fellowship for experienced researchers?

We cannot consider your application if you obtained your doctorate more than twelve years ago. If you have missed the deadline, an exception may be made in well-founded cases (e.g. recognition of parental leave).

How will child-rearing periods be considered in the application process?

Periods in which you interrupted your academic activities after completing your doctorate in order to rear children may be taken into account as career breaks after examination. The proportionate offsetting of such periods is also possible.  A maximum of two years may be claimed per child. Please always indicate child-rearing periods when filling in our application form.
Mothers can claim two extra years for each child born after their PhD plus any further verifiable parenting periods. Fathers and other persons responsible for raising children are only credited with verifiable parenting periods.
In general, postdoctoral researchers may apply up to four years, and experienced researchers up to twelve years after completing their doctorates. Recognized child-rearing periods may correspondingly extend these maximum timeframes during which the submission of applications is possible. The extension is limited to 6 years.
Please contact info[at]avh.de if you have any questions.

Are child-rearing periods taken into account in the assessment of academic achievements?

Yes, because the assessment of academic achievements is always made on an individual basis at the Humboldt Foundation. Therefore, when filling in the application form, please specify all periods in which you partially or completely interrupted your academic activities after finishing your doctorate in order to rear children.
The voluntary disclosure of private circumstances may help increase equal opportunities during the selection process. The consideration of your personal circumstances allows for a fairer assessment of your academic achievements.
Please contact info[at]avh.de if you have any questions.

Do I need to know German in order to apply?

Natural scientists and engineers: good knowledge of German or English is sufficient.

Scholars in the humanities and social sciences: should have knowledge of German if it is necessary to carry out the research successfully. In this case, a German language certificate confirming proficiency must be submitted. Otherwise, a good knowledge of English is sufficient.

Physicians: If the research involves work with patients, the candidate must have a good knowledge of German (language certificate required). Otherwise, a good knowledge of English is sufficient.

English or German is my native language. Do I have to submit a language certificate proving my proficiency?

No, a language certificate is not required.

I'm a physician (MD / Dr. med.). Are there any special admission requirements?

You are eligible to apply if you hold a research doctorate or a comparable academic degree.
In addition, please read our Admission Questionnaire for Physicians (MD / Dr. med.) for detailed information.
If you have several research doctorates, the above mentioned FAQ on the subject of "several doctorates" applies.

Which (virtual) mobility rules apply with regard to Germany?

Applicants must reside in Brazil at the time of application and must have resided outside Germany for a minimum of 12 months in total in the 18-month period prior to submission of the application. Any time spent in Germany within those 18 months is taken into account, regardless of duration or reason.

Any person who, regardless of their country of residence, has supported themselves for more than six out of the last 18 months with financing from a German institution or who has worked on a doctoral project at an institution in Germany in the last 18 months is not eligible to apply.
German citizens and/or educational residents* (see following FAQ) are generally ineligible to apply if they have been in Germany within the last 18 months prior to receipt of their application or are already in Germany at the time of applying.

If in doubt, please contact us before submitting your application so we can advise you (info[at]avh.de )

Can I apply from abroad as a German citizen/educational resident?

The aim of the programme is to enable highly qualified academics from abroad to come to Germany to conduct a research stay here. German citizens/educational residents are thus not the target group of this funding programme (Educational residents are individuals who have completed their school education and a university degree, or a university degree and their doctorate in Germany).

You are however eligible to apply if you are permanently working in Brazil and intend to return to Brazil immediately following the requested research stay.

We consider these preconditions as fulfilled if your habitual place of work and residence has been located in Brazil on the assumption of permanence for at least five years and if in addition you either have:

     a. Brazilian nationality

     and/or

     b. Permanent residence visa in Brazil

If you intend to apply in order to prepare your permanent return to Germany, we recommend that you instead apply to the “Temporary Positions” programme of the DFG.
If in doubt, we would ask to send us only your complete CV and a list of your publications, so that we can advise you (info[at]avh.de ).

Academic host
Who can be my academic host?

Any researcher working at a university or research institution in Germany who offers to make research facilities available for the proposed research stay.

If you have already worked in Germany for a longer period of time (12 months or more) you should look for a new academic environment for another guest stay in Germany. Applications that involve returning to the supervisor of the doctoral thesis or to the mentor of a longer postdoctoral stay are generally rejected by the Selection Committee on the basis of a lack of further independent academic development.

Individuals with whom you are in a close personal (marriage or civil partnership) or familial (parents, siblings, children) relationship cannot be selected as hosts.

How can I find an academic host?

You are free to choose your own academic host. The Humboldt Foundation does not provide any direct support in finding a host.
We would like to draw your attention to the following search engines for hosts and research institutes:

• Institutes at German universities and other research institutions
  Searchable Portal (GERiT) of the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
• Research facilities, disciplines and research in Germany (only in German)
  Research portal of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
• Research Map
  Hochschulrektorenkonferenz (HRK)
• Research facilities, researchers and projects of the DFG in Germany and worldwide
  GEPRIS - Database of the German Research Foundation
• Research facilities, disciplines and researchers in Germany and worldwide
  World of Learning
• KISSWIN
  Communication and information platform on career paths and funding opportunities for junior academics

We would also like to draw your attention to the open access part of the Network Online . This database features a large proportion of the Foundation's more than 25,000 academics sponsored worldwide. Here you can search for names, disciplines and keywords.

Can I conduct my research stay with two academic hosts?

Yes. If the hosts work at different research institutes, they must each provide a host's statement and confirmation that research facilities can be made available.

Will my host institute receive any additional funds for the costs it incurs in connection with my research stay?

In general the host institute will receive an allowance for research costs of €800 per month for research in the field of natural sciences and engineering, and €500 for research in the field of humanities or social sciences.

Preparation/Planning
Can I apply to several Humboldt Foundation fellowship programmes at the same time, or can I apply for a Humboldt Fellowship and the Sofja Kovalevskaja Award at the same time if I fulfil the formal requirements?

No, it is not possible to apply to several fellowship programmes or the Sofja Kovalevskaja Award Programme concurrently. Should you be rejected by any of them, you may, however, apply to any other programme as long as you fulfil the formal requirements.

Can I apply for a fellowship from another institution at the same time I submit my application to the Humboldt Foundation?

On principle, it is possible to file parallel applications. You must, however, indicate this on the application form and inform us immediately of any other applications you submit and any other sponsorship decisions that occur while we are considering your application.

Can I conduct part of my research work abroad?

If it is necessary for the success of the project, fellows may conduct research at research institutions in other parts of Europe during the fellowship period (excepting their country of origin). As a rule, the total length of your Europe Research Stay may not exceed 25 per cent of the projected total duration of sponsorship. Furthermore, if the fellowship is divided up into several stays (experienced researchers), the duration of the Europe Research Stay may on principle not exceed half the duration of the respective fellowship period. Plans for research stays may already be included in your research proposal when you apply, but you cannot submit an application for a stay before you have been awarded the fellowship.
The fellowship does not cover research stays in the fellow’s country of origin or another non-European country; as a rule, the fellowship must be interrupted for this period or the stay abroad must be realised before the fellowship begins.

Can I apply for a research fellowship for a period of less than six months?

The first research stay in the context of a postdoctoral fellowship must last at least six months. Experienced researchers must also apply for a stay of at least six months, which can, however, be divided up into two blocks of three months.

I am a postdoctoral researcher. Can I divide up my research stay?

It is not possible to break up the research stay.

Do I have to divide up my research stays strictly according to the model specified by the programme line for experienced researchers?

Yes. It is not possible to deviate from the standard model.

When do I have to start the fellowship period at the latest?

You must start the fellowship period within twelve months of being selected. Otherwise you will have to submit a new application.

What is the value of the fellowship?

Please refer to our current programme information for postdoctoral and experienced researchers .

Will you pay the fellowship retroactively if I am already at the host institute at the time of being selected?

No, the fellowship cannot be paid retroactively.

Is the intensive German language course part of my research fellowship?

A two- to four-month language course takes place immediately prior to the start of the research fellowship. The language fellowship is not part of the research fellowship. (In other words, if you apply for a two-month language course in connection with a 12-month research stay in Germany, your stay will last a total of 14 months.)

When can I attend a language course?

The intensive German language course can only be taken immediately prior to the start of the research fellowship. If this is not possible, you may apply for funds to attend evening classes during the research fellowship.

Do I have to take a language course?

There is no obligation to take a language course. However, the Humboldt Foundation strongly encourages all its fellows and their partners to learn German during their research stay so that they can fully participate in social and cultural life in Germany.

Can I bring my family?

The Humboldt Foundation welcomes the idea that fellows' partners and children should accompany them and encourages this by paying family allowances in addition to the fellowship, provided that the family members accompany the fellow for more than three months.

Application documents
Should I submit my application documents directly to both organisations?

Yes, please submit two identical sets of your complete application documents – one to Capes and one to the Humboldt Foundation – in a timely fashion.
Please notice that the host documents have to be submitted only to the Humboldt Foundation.
Your host(s) will upload the required documents in a secure area, adding them to your application form. The links to this area can be found in the application form. Please send these links on a timely basis to the scientists/ academics you have named. Once all the documents have been uploaded, you will automatically be notified by email and will then be able to submit your application. You are responsible for ensuring that your documents are complete.

Which publications should I enclose with my application?

Your application must contain one copy of each of the key publications you have chosen. Other publications will not be accepted (exception: You may optionally submit published reviews of your key publications by other authors).
If you wish to cite your dissertation or habilitation as a key publication but have not yet submitted it for printing, please upload the original manuscript of your doctoral or habilitation thesis.

May I include works that have not yet been submitted for publication in the list of key publications and the complete list of publications?

No. Please only cite publications that are already in print, have been accepted for publication or have at least been submitted to a publishing house. Please cite submitted publications without naming the journal or publishing house on your publication list. In the latter case you must include the acknowledgement of receipt from the publisher; in case of publications that have been accepted, please include the letter of acceptance from the publisher. Any other works cited on the list will be deleted.
Exception: Your dissertation or habilitation may be cited as a key publication even if you have not yet submitted it to a publisher. If you wish to cite your dissertation or habilitation as a key publication but have not yet submitted it for printing, please upload the original manuscript of your doctoral or habilitation thesis.

What are key publications?

You yourself should choose the key publications from your publications. You should choose works which present your most important academic results. In cases of multiple authorship you should select those to which you have made a major contribution. When choosing key publications we recommend including works that reflect your more recent publication activity.
Please note that you cannot amend your selection of key publications once the selection process has begun.

How many key publications should I cite?

If you are applying for a fellowship for postdoctoral researchers, one key publication is sufficient. You may cite a maximum of three.
If you are applying for a fellowship for experienced researchers you must choose at least three key publications. You may cite a maximum of five. Surplus key publications will be removed from the list without notifying the applicant.

How should I explain why I have chosen a key publication?

Please address the particular academic relevance of the results contained in the key publication and briefly explain the significance of the publication for your academic profile (cf. Sample key publications , PDF). In cases of multiple authorship please also indicate your own personal contribution to the publication.

Should my key publications also be cited in the complete list of publications?

Yes. Please cite all your publications in the complete list of publications, including your key publications. An unpublished dissertation or habilitation, however, may not be listed in the complete list of publications.
In this list the key publications should be cited without explanations (cf. Sample publication list ).

Please note that the order of the authors on the publication list corresponds to the order of the authors on the submitted publication. Changing the order is against the Rules of Good Scientific Practice and may result in penalties. Please note that it is not possible to amend the list of publications submitted once the selection process has begun.

Selection procedure
Who will review my application?

Your application will be reviewed by independent peer reviewers.

Who will decide on my application?

The final decision on all applications is made by the Selection Committee. The Selection Committee consists of researchers of all disciplines who decide on all applications by majority vote. The Humboldt Foundation and Capes have no vote on the Selection Committee.

Selection
How high is the success rate?

In recent years, between 20% and 25% of all applications have been successful.

What are the most important selection criteria?

The essential aspect of the application is the individual applicant's academic qualification. Please refer to the relevant programme information for more details on the selection criteria.

Can I re-apply after being rejected?

It is possible to re-apply if you fulfil the eligibility criteria. The new application should, however, differ significantly from the original, rejected application. Generally, it makes sense to re-apply after developing one's academic profile, e.g. after academical publications have been accepted by internationally reviewed journals and publishing houses. Our experience shows that applicants should wait about two years before re-applying. Submitting a new application that differs little or not at all from the rejected original may result in a formal rejection of the new application.
In the case of unanimously rejected applications, a new application will be accepted only after 3 calls.

What issues frequently result in applications being rejected?

Insufficient publication record :
In particular, applicants who apply shortly afterupon completion of their doctoral thesis should ensure that the key findings of the doctoral thesis (key publications) are already published or have been accepted for publication. In case of doubt, it is a good idea to wait for several months before submitting the application until evidence can be provided that the key publications have been accepted.
Lack of academic development :
The chosen research project should not be a direct continuation of the doctoral thesis or of the academic work carried out to date. Returning to the same academic environment, e.g. returning to the supervisor of the doctoral thesis or the mentor of longer postdoctoral research (more than 12 months), or returning to a host institute where a longer research stay has already taken place, generally results in the rejection of applications on the basis of a lack of further independent academic development.
Lack of originality :
In the qualitative assessment of the key publications and of the research outline, the independent peer reviewers focus in particular on the originality of the work and the associated impetus for further development in this research area. If these aspects are not immediately apparent, if the research concerns more routine work or if the aims of the planned research and its significance for the continued development of the subject area are not clearly presented, applications are generally rejected.
Lack of personal academic profile, academic establishment :
In the experienced academics’ programme segment, the personal academic profile is of major importance for the assessment of applications by the independent peer reviewers and committee members. Therefore, applications are frequently rejected if

• no or insufficient publications are available in sole authorship or as a corresponding author;
• the applicants’ topics are too narrowly focused;
• no clear continued academic development is apparent;
• the research project is not clearly aligned with the research interests of the applicant;
• after several postdoctoral positions, another "traditional" postdoctoral position is applied for without the applicant becoming independently established academically in the meantime.

For experienced academics whose doctorate was completed more than eight years ago, rejection often results if a position as an independent academic (assistant professor, lecturer, junior research group leader, etc.) has still not been obtained, or if the prospect of a professorial appointment upon completion of the proposed stay is not apparent from the documentation submitted, especially the publication profile.

This programme is financed by