The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s German Chancellor Fellowship for Tomorrow’s Leaders is aimed at university graduates with an international perspective and initial leadership experience from South Africa, the United States of America, the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, Brazil, and India. It is aimed at potential decision-makers, multipliers, and thought leaders from a variety of professional sectors, including politics, public administration, business, and society and culture.
The fellowships enable them to spend a year in Germany networking with other aspiring leaders from around the world who are also supported by the Humboldt Foundation and exploring fresh solutions to today’s global concerns. With this program, Germany reaffirms itself as a destination of choice for intercultural conversation and a gathering site for tomorrow’s international leaders.
Program Specifics
- Institutions in Germany and Europe serve as hosts.
- The number of awards is unknown.
- Time frame: up to a year.
- Citizens of South Africa, the United States, the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, Brazil, and India are eligible.
The Fellowship program is a fully financed program that delivers the following benefits to successful applicants:
- based on your training and career level, a monthly fellowship grant of 2,000 euros, 2,300 euros, or 2,600 euros
- an intensive language course before beginning your fellowship, as well as financing for German courses while on fellowship,
- Individual assistance throughout your stay in Germany
- additional financial assistance, such as for accompanying family members, travel fees, full private health insurance, or a second German language course
- collaborative activities where you can engage in professional and personal intercultural interaction with colleagues from your year group while learning about German culture and society
- networking activities that allow you to interact in peer groups and develop smaller network forms independently with other fellows,
- a two-week study tour to Germany, as well as various events where you can meet fellows and representatives from German businesses and institutions
- broad alumni sponsorship, in particular, to encourage long-term connections with your German collaboration partners throughout your professional career
- Your host institution will get a monthly research allowance of 500 euros.
The Fellowship program is a fully financed
The program provides money for fellows who do not speak German fluently to take German language classes both before and during their fellowship. The Foundation, in particular, grants language fellowships that cover an intensive language course for up to three months prior to the start of the fellowship in Germany.
Under certain conditions, accompanying marital partners may also be eligible for funding for language classes, as detailed below:
- a flat sum to cover the fellow’s travel expenses if they are not covered by a third party;
- family allowances for accompanying family members remaining for at least three months (up to 346 EUR per month for marriage partners and 289 EUR per child);
- Flat-rate allowances for accompanying children under the age of 18 during stays of at least three months for single parents (400 EUR per month for the first kid and 100 EUR per month for each additional child);
- Europe allowance for a stay at an institute in another European nation (but not the fellow’s own) for one to two months during the fellowship if necessary to ensure the project’s success;
- comprehensive alumni sponsorship after the successful completion of the stay in Germany, in particular to foster networking with cooperation partners in Germany during the alumni’s subsequent professional career.
Qualifications for the German Chancellor Fellowship for Tomorrow’s Leaders
Regardless of industry, the German Chancellor Fellowship supports future decision-makers, multipliers, and thought leaders. You are encouraged to apply if you meet the following criteria:
- possess citizenship in Brazil, China, India, Russia, South Africa, or the United States
- work in politics, business, media, administration, society, or culture, and have demonstrated initial leadership experience
- You must have completed your first academic degree (Bachelor’s or comparable degree) within the last twelve years. The most important date for calculating these twelve years is October 1, 2024.
- wish to carry out an individually developed project in Germany with a host of your choice
- have good knowledge of English and/or German.
Prospective applicants who have been in Germany for more than six months before to the application deadline (15 October each year) are not eligible to apply. Anyone who has previously been funded by the Humboldt Foundation with a fellowship is unable to apply for or reapply for any of the Foundation’s fellowships. They should apply to the Foundation’s Alumni Programme for assistance with future stays in Germany.
Criteria for selection
The following factors are used to choose applicants in a quality-oriented selection procedure:
- past work experience and leadership potential
- The significance of a fellowship for future career advancement;
- potential for bridging the gap between the nation of origin and Germany
- worldwide view and future role as a world leader
- existing expertise to aid in the effective completion of the project
- The persuasiveness of the project plan and its relevance to societal discussion.
How to Apply for the Chancellor Fellowship for Tomorrow’s Leaders in Germany
Qualified applicants should apply by clicking the apply button below and following the steps.
Applications will be accepted between March 15 and October 15, 2023. Please visit the official page for additional information about the German Chancellor Fellowship for Tomorrow’s Leaders.