International mobility
Academic exchange across national and cultural borders inspires the acquisition of knowledge and is an integral part of research. Conferences and research stays are an important basis for constructive international cooperation. You will also build up international networks that are essential for a career in academia.
There are a number of funding options for early career researchers in Hamburg planning to research or teach abroad or attend international conferences.
When you select a funding program, bear in mind that, in most cases, travel expenses will not be refunded in addition to the basic funding (for your position).
General funding opportunities
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) database
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) awards both short-term and one-year scholarships and grants (in German only) for research stays abroad. The application deadline depends on the target country and program. The database also includes information on scholarships and grants from other external sources.
EURAXESS funding database
The EURAXESS funding database is aimed at doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, and recognized academics looking for scholarships as well as at German academics wishing to spend time abroad.
German Research Foundation (DFG) Research Fellowships
The German Research Foundation (DFG) grants Research Fellowships to fund young German researchers at an institution of their choice abroad for up to two years.
Alexander von Humbold Foundation Feodor Lynen Research Fellowships
With Feodor Lynen Research Fellowships, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation funds research stays worldwide for 6-24 months (postdoctoral researchers) or 6-18 months (experienced researchers). Applicants may select a host institution from the Humboldt Network.
You may submit an application at any time. The selection committee meets in February, June, and October to decide on funding.
Leopoldina Postdoc Scholarship
Leopoldina Postdoc Scholarship is an individual full scholarship for a research stay at a host institution abroad for one to three years. You must have completed your doctoral degree within the last seven years.
You may submit an application at any time.
USA
Fulbright Scholarships
Fulbright Scholarships (in German only) provides postdoctoral researchers with funding for teaching and research stays at academic institutions in the USA lasting at least three months.
Application deadlines: 1 April for stays from October, 1 August for stays from February, 1 November for stays from May.
Max Kade Foundation Fellowship Program
The German Research Foundation (DFG) Max Kade Foundation Fellowship Program provides funding for young researchers in the natural sciences and medicine for research stays in the USA lasting one year (generally up to twelve years after completing their doctoral studies).
You may submit an application at any time.
Asia
JSPS Research Fellowships for Postdoctoral Researchers
The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Research Fellowships for Postdoctoral Researchers fund research stays in Japan lasting 1 to 12 months (apply to the DAAD) or 12-24 months (apply to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation); the pre-selection is conducted by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. You are free to choose your host institution.
You may submit an application at any time. The selection committee meets in February, June, and October to decide on funding.
MOST (Taiwan) Research Fellowships
With the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST Taiwan) Research Fellowships, you can fund a research project of your choice in Taiwan for 3-12 months. Up to two MOST scholarships are awarded every year.
You may submit an application at any time.
Canon Research Fellowships
With the Canon Research Fellowships, the Canon Foundation provides interdisciplinary funding for a research stay in Japan lasting 3-12 months. The foundation supports 15 Japanese and European researchers each year.
Application deadline: 15 September, annually
DAAD Short-Term Scholarships for Korea
In cooperation with the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) realises bilateral researcher exchanges with Korea (in German only). The program funds short-term research stays for German professors and postdoctoral researchers at academic institutions and selected research facilities in Korea.
GEnKO - German-Korean Partnership Program
The German - Korean Partnership Programme (GEnKO) (in German only) is a program by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Korean Research Foundation (KRF) and provides funding for research stays in South Korea.
Application deadline: June, annually
FIT Worldwide Postdoc Fellowships
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) program Fit Worldwide (in German only) aims at young postdoctoral researchers working in the field of IT and funds their research stays at the National Institute of Informatics (NII) in Tokyo, Japan for one to six months.
You may submit an application at any time.
Funding specific to Hamburg's higher education institutions
Universität Hamburg (UHH) Research Exchanges
The Universität Hamburg (UHH) Research Exchange program funds research stays lasting one month (or less) at one of the university's overseas partner universities (in Australia, China, England, Japan, South Africa, Taiwan, or USA).
Application deadline: May, annually
Universität Hamburg (UHH) DAAD Eastern Europe
Universität Hamburg (UHH) offers travel grants for visits to partner universities participating in the DAAD Eastern Europe program in accordance with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) travel expenses rates.
Application deadlines: 15 January and 15 May for mobility in the next half-year, respectively.
Helmut Schmid University (HSU) funding options
The Helmut-Schmidt-Universität (HSU) academic international office offers a number of funding options for research stays abroad.
You can expect about a year of application and preparation time.
Bucerius Law School (BLS) Research Scholarships
Bucerius Law School (BLS) grants up to then ten scholarships annualy to researchers wishing to spend at least two months abroad.
You may submit an application at any time.