German Chancellor Fellowship for tomorrow's leaders

German Chancellor Fellowships for prospective leaders

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s German Chancellor Fellowship Programme is targeted at university graduates from the United States, the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, Brazil and India who have an international outlook and initial leadership experience. It addresses prospective decision-makers, multipliers and thought leaders from a broad range of professional fields such as politics, public administration and business as well as society and culture. The fellowships give them the opportunity to spend a year in Germany networking with other prospective leaders from abroad, who are also sponsored by the Humboldt Foundation, and to explore new solutions to the global issues of our times. With this programme Germany once again presents itself as a destination of choice for intercultural dialogue and as a meeting place for the international leaders of tomorrow.

During their stay in Germany, the German Chancellor Fellows usually pursue research-based, self developed projects in the areas mentioned above at host institutions. They are supervised by hosts in Germany who they select themselves and who have the necessary level of expertise to mentor the respective research topics. The projects should not only be of social significance, but should also have a long-term, publicly-visible impact. They should also be conducive to advancing fellows’ career development. During their stay in Germany, fellows will be able to expand their specialist knowledge and gain new international experience whilst enhancing their intercultural skills and thus enabling them to develop into successful leaders.

 

Fellowship benefits

The fellowship grant amounts to 2,150 EUR, 2,450 EUR or 2,750 EUR per month, depending on the applicant’s qualifications. The fellowship also includes a mobility allowance as well as a contribution to health and liability insurance. The stay in Germany begins with a language scholarship for an obligatory two-month intensive German language course which takes place during August and September. Depending on the individual German language knowledge, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation may grant an additional language course in July or approve a reduction of the course. The German Chancellor Fellowship is granted for twelve months and starts in October with a four-week introductory seminar in Bonn and Berlin. This provides varied insights into the social, political, economic and cultural life in Germany. It is followed by eleven months of individual project work starting in November. 

Additional benefits:

• allowance for research costs amounting to 500 EUR per month for the hosts in Germany

• lump sum for the fellow’s travel to and from Germany if these costs are not borne by a third party

• allowances for family members accompanying the fellow to Germany for a minimum of three months (up to 326 EUR a month for marital partners and up to 234 EUR a month for each child)

• German courses in the fellow’s own country prior to the stay in Germany as well as during the stay in Germany to intensify the knowledge of German acquired during the intensive language course

• Europe allowance for a stay of one to two months at an institute in Europe (not, however, in the fellow’s own country) if such a stay is necessary to conduct the project in question

• extensive alumni sponsorship after the stay in Germany has been completed successfully, in particular, to promote networking with the collaborative partners in Germany during the alumni’s entire professional careers

Application requirements

• the applicant must be a national of the United States, the Russian Federation, The People’s Republic of China, Brazil or India

• Bachelor’s or equivalent academic degree completed less than twelve years before the beginning of the fellowship (1 October of the year following application)

• initial proven leadership experience; applicants with a preponderantly academic background should have acquired initial leadership experience in addition to their own research activity

• German or English language skills

• a letter of motivation (approx. 2 pages)

• a project plan (approx. 3 pages); candidates must draw up their project plan independently and discuss it with their intended host prior to application

• a detailed statement, including confirmation of supervision, by the host in Germany

• two references by individuals qualified to comment on the candidate’s professional, personal and/or academic background

Selection criteria

Applicants are selected according to the following criteria:

• previous career and leadership potential

• significance of fellowship for further career development

• potential to build bridges between home country and Germany

• international outlook and future role as an international leader

• existing knowledge to help complete the project successfully

• relevance of the project for the dialogue of modern societies

Application and selection procedure

Applications should be completed online. The application deadline is 15 September of every year. 

 

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