The CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship supports Brazilian postdoctoral and experienced researchers with a fully funded research stay in Germany. This fellowship offers a monthly stipend, family benefits, language courses, and research cost subsidies, enabling you to collaborate with a German host institution of your choice.
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, in partnership with CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior), launched this programme in 2013 to foster academic exchange between Brazil and Germany. The foundation promotes gender balance and diversity, encouraging applications from female researchers and underrepresented groups.
CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship Benefits
- Monthly fellowship amount of €3,000 for postdocs and €3,600 for experienced researchers
- Additional benefits including family allowances for children and partners
- Travel expense allowances
- Intensive language course prior to the research stay for you and your partner
- Research cost subsidy of €800 per month for natural sciences/engineering or €500 for humanities/social sciences to the host institute
- Personal support throughout the sponsorship
- Flexible start date of the fellowship
- Alumni programmes including return fellowships and later visits to Germany
CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
- You must be a Brazilian national or have permanent resident status in Brazil
- German nationals are eligible if they have been living and working in Brazil for at least five years
- You must be resident in Brazil and not have lived in Germany for more than 90 days within the last 18 months
- Postdocs: doctorate completed within the last four years
- Experienced researchers: doctorate completed within the last twelve years, with an extensive publication list and a leadership role (e.g. assistant professor, lecturer, head of an independent research group)
- Good knowledge of German or English (natural sciences and engineering); good knowledge of German if necessary for research (humanities, social sciences, medicine) otherwise good English
- You must abide by the Rules of Good Scientific Practice and principles of scientific ethics
- You may not apply if you have already received sponsorship from the Humboldt Foundation
Duration
- 6–24 months for postdocs;
- 6–18 months for experienced researchers
Available Research Fields
The programme welcomes project proposals from every scientific domain. The evaluation committee distributes funding without using country or subject-area quotas. Permitted research disciplines include:
- Natural sciences, physics, and chemistry.
- Engineering, material sciences, and data frameworks.
- Life sciences, agriculture, and botany.
- Medicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
- Humanities, philosophy, and linguistics.
- Social sciences, political models, and economics.
- Interdisciplinary project designs.
How to Apply for CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship
- Submit the necessary documents online to both the Humboldt Foundation and CAPES
- Prepare a curriculum vitae (two pages max), research outline (five pages max), complete list of publications, list of key publications, key publications, doctoral certificate, and German language certificate if required
- Your host in Germany must provide a detailed statement and confirmation of research facilities
- Once you submit your application, your host will receive a link to upload their documents; your application will only be forwarded once the host has uploaded all necessary documents
- You can check the status of your application in the application form
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply.
Do I need an English language certificate?
No, an English language certificate is not required for the CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship. However, you must have good knowledge of German or English depending on your field and research needs.
What determines the date of a doctorate?
The relevant date is that of completing the final academic part of the doctoral process, such as the defence of thesis or doctoral viva. This date is usually on your doctoral certificate. The key date for calculating the period after your doctorate is the date your application is received by the Humboldt Foundation.
Can I apply for a fellowship for experienced researchers if my doctorate was completed less than four years ago?
Yes, you can apply for the experienced researchers category if you already have your own clearly recognisable research profile and are working at the level of at least assistant professor, lecturer, or head of an independent research group.
How will child-rearing periods be considered?
Periods of interrupted academic activities after your doctorate to rear children may be taken into account as career breaks. A maximum of two years may be claimed per child. Mothers can claim two extra years per child born after their PhD plus further verifiable parenting periods. Fathers and other persons responsible are credited with verifiable parenting periods.
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 your proposed research stay can be your host. You should not return to the supervisor of your doctoral thesis or a mentor of a longer postdoctoral stay, as such applications are generally rejected.
Can I conduct part of my research outside Germany?
Yes, under certain circumstances, you may conduct research outside Germany if necessary for the project, such as field research or archive visits. Your research stay at the host institute must be at least six months, and stays outside Germany should not exceed 25 percent of the total funding period.
What is the value of the fellowship?
The fellowship amount is €3,000 per month for postdocs and €3,600 per month for experienced researchers, plus additional benefits such as family allowances, travel expense allowances, and a research cost subsidy to the host institute. For details, refer to the programme information PDF.
When do I have to start the fellowship period at the latest?
The research stay or language course can usually begin 12 months after the selection decision at the latest. Under certain circumstances, the start may be postponed for up to 12 additional months.
Can I bring my family?
Yes, the Humboldt Foundation encourages fellows to bring their partners and children and provides family allowances in addition to the fellowship, provided the family members accompany you for more than three months.
How high is the success rate?
In recent years, between 20% and 25% of all applications have been successful. The selection is based on individual academic qualifications, with decisions made by a committee appointed by both CAPES and the Humboldt Foundation.
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