Germany Programme for Junior Research group leaders

Sofja Kovalevskaja Award

Programme for junior research group leaders

For successful top-flight junior researchers who may use the award to spend five years carrying out research of their own choice at research institutions in Germany and building up their own working groups.
Value of the award: 1.65 million EUR.

Submit an application if you are a successful top-rank junior researcher from abroad, only completed your doctorate with distinction in the last six years, and are working at least at the level of Assistant Professor or Junior Research Group Leader or have a record of several years of independent academic work. The Sofja Kovalevskaja Award allows you to spend five years building up working groups and working on a high-profile, innovative research project of your own choice at a research institution of your own choice in Germany.

Scientists and scholars from all disciplines may apply to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation directly by 4 January 2008. The Humboldt Foundation will be able to grant up to eight Sofja Kovalevskaja Awards in 2008. The award is valued at 1.65 million EUR.

You can find other important information in the Programme Information and in the FAQ.

Nomination Requirements

1. Doctorate or comparable academic degree (Ph.D., C.Sc. or equivalent), completed with distinction less than six years prior to the date of application. Should it not be possible or customary to take a Ph.D. in your subject or country of origin, you may apply up to ten years after completing your Master's or Diploma Degree provided that your publication record is commensurate with a Ph.D. and your current career stage.
2. Cutting-edge academic achievements documented by a comprehensive list of academic publications for internationally-reviewed journals and publishing houses.
3. Detailed expert's report by an academic host at a research institution in Germany as well as the host's agreement and the administrative agreement from the host institution.
4. Expert references by important collaborative partners and academics at the applicant's own institute and other institutes, if possible not all located in his/her country of origin.
5. Language skills: scholars in the humanities or social sciences and physicians must have a good knowledge of German if it is necessary to carry out the project successfully; otherwise a good knowledge of English; scientists and engineers must have a good knowledge of German or English.
6. Origin: Foreign academics staying in Germany are eligible to apply if they have not been working in an academic capacity in Germany for more than two years at the time of application. German academics are eligible to apply if they have been working in an academic capacity abroad for at least five years at the time of application. If in doubt, check with the Humboldt Foundation (info@avh.de) before submitting an application as formal grounds might militate against the application.
7. The Humboldt Foundation assumes that candidates will abide by the Rules of Good Scientific Practice during the application and sponsorship periods.

To apply, please only use the application documents which can be downloaded here.

Nomination requirements

Download programme information and nomination documents

Selection procedure

Information for hosts

Information for expert reviewers

Information for independent peer reviewers

Initial Sponsorship

Alumni Sponsorship

FAQ

Contact: kovalevskaja.select@avh.de