Scholarship Overview
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Overview
The Humboldt Residency Programme 2027 is a prestigious six-week funded residency organised by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. It gathers twelve transdisciplinary participants—Humboldt alumni, early career researchers, writers, artists, civil society actors, and social entrepreneurs—to collaborate intensively on the annual theme “Oceanic Horizons: Navigating the Future of Our Blue Planet.”
The programme runs from June to October 2027, with mandatory in-person participation from August 2 to September 10, 2027. Participants will spend two weeks at the Cultural Foundation Schloss Wiepersdorf in Brandenburg and four weeks in Berlin, with excursions to institutions in Northern Germany and along the North and Baltic Sea coasts.
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2027 Theme: Oceanic Horizons
The ocean is central to planetary survival as an ecosystem, climate regulator, living space, and resource reservoir. Yet it faces mounting pressures from climate change, pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction. The 2027 residency explores critical questions at the intersection of ocean health, human activity, and planetary futures.
Key thematic areas include:
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- Protecting marine ecosystems while enabling sustainable resource use
- Innovation and the blue economy, from renewable ocean energy to marine biotechnology
- Societal adaptation to changing coastal environments and rising sea levels
- Ocean governance amid competing political, economic, and societal interests
- Ethical and legal dimensions: ocean rights, representation, and cultural relationships with the sea
Programme Structure and Dates
| June 29, 2027 | Virtual kick-off meeting |
| August 2–13, 2027 | Two-week residency at Schloss Wiepersdorf, Brandenburg |
| August 13–September 10, 2027 | Four-week residency in Berlin with coastal excursions |
| September–October 2027 | Remote finalisation of outputs |
| October 26, 2027 | Virtual wrap-up event |
Full in-person attendance from August 2 to September 10, 2027 is mandatory. The programme combines daily collaborative work with freedom to develop transdisciplinary projects and engage with German and international stakeholders.
What the Scholarship Covers
The Humboldt Residency Programme provides comprehensive funding:
- Monthly allowance for the six-week residency period
- Travel allowance for round-trip journey to Germany
- Accommodation at Schloss Wiepersdorf (2 weeks) and an aparthotel in Berlin (4 weeks)
- Budget for arranging public event formats or end-of-year outputs
- For participants with dependent family members: suitable family accommodation and support arranging childcare
Eligibility Criteria
The programme selects 12 participants across three distinct categories:
5 Humboldt Alumni/ae
- Demonstrate relevant expertise related to the annual theme communicable to external audiences
- Willing and able to communicate work beyond academia (prior experience not required)
- Previously received any Humboldt Foundation fellowship or award
- Not receiving funding from another Humboldt Foundation programme at residency start (August 2027)
- Hold an academic position and currently not based in Germany
3 Early Career Researchers
- Prior experience in science communication or connecting research to social/political contexts
- Currently pursuing PhD or completed PhD less than four years before August 2027
- Hold an academic position and currently not based in Germany
- Clear academic profile related to the theme with demonstrated career potential
4 Civil Society Practitioners
- Clear connection to the annual theme through previous work
- Potential to multiply ideas and impulses from the residency
- Fit one of two profiles: (1) Creatives—journalists, authors, filmmakers, curators, artists, designers; or (2) Practitioners—politicians, social entrepreneurs, NGO representatives, campaigners, consultants
- Do not currently hold an academic position
Applications are welcome from all disciplines with relevant thematic connections. Innovative and creative approaches are explicitly encouraged.
Required Documents
Applications must include:
- Curriculum Vitae (maximum 3 pages, PDF format)
- Introduction Video (maximum 60 seconds, landscape/horizontal 16:9 format)
Video Guidelines
Record yourself introducing why you are the right person for this programme. Production quality is not evaluated, but follow these technical requirements:
- Smartphone recording acceptable with good-quality camera
- Well-lit setting, avoid backlighting, shadows, and white light
- Quiet location without distracting background noise
- Landscape/horizontal format (16:9)
- File formats: mp4, mov, avi, mpeg
- Upload to Smash and share the link in your application
Application Process
- Review the Frequently Asked Questions document (PDF) for detailed selection criteria
- Prepare your CV (max. 3 pages) and record your 60-second introduction video
- Upload video to Smash and obtain the sharing link
- Complete the online application form and upload all required documents
- Submit by the deadline
Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis. The selection committee meets in mid-February 2027, with decisions communicated by end of February 2027.
Information Session
A digital info session will be held on November 24, 2026, 2:00–3:00pm CET for questions not covered in the FAQs. Register for the Zoom session here.
Contact
For programme or application questions: residency[at]avh.de
Advice for African Applicants
Researchers and practitioners from Zimbabwe and SADC countries are encouraged to apply, particularly those working on marine ecosystems, climate adaptation, blue economy, or ocean governance. Given the thematic focus on oceanic futures, applicants from coastal and inland African states alike can contribute valuable perspectives on resource governance, climate justice, and community-based conservation. Ensure your application clearly articulates how your regional expertise connects to global ocean challenges and how you will communicate insights to diverse audiences upon return.
Official scholarship page: https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/en/apply/sponsorship-programmes/humboldt-residency-programme/humboldt-residency-programme-call-for-applications
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships
