CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship

The CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship is a programme launched by CAPES and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship supports fellows with individual support from the Humboldt Foundation and its sponsorship portfolio, and enables fellows to conduct their own research in collaboration with a host at a German research institution. Host institutes will generally receive a subsidy towards research costs.

The programme supports postdoctoral researchers from Brazil and experienced Brazilian researchers. The host is a researcher at an academic institution of the applicant’s choice in Germany, where the applicant conducts research. CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship for Brazilian postdoctoral researchers enables research at the beginning of an academic career; the fellowship for experienced Brazilian researchers supports those further advanced in their academic career.

Selection is based essentially on individual academic qualifications. Fellows are selected by a committee appointed by both CAPES and the Humboldt Foundation. The decision is based on the documents submitted, the host’s statement, and usually independent peer reviews requested by CAPES and the Humboldt Foundation.

Fellowships may last from 6 to 24 months for postdoctoral researchers and from 6 to 18 months for experienced researchers. Fellowships can be divided into up to three stays within three years. Prior to the research fellowship, applicants and their partner may attend an intensive language course, and applicants can determine the start date flexibly. After the research stay ends, the Humboldt Foundation states it stays in contact through alumni sponsorship measures, and a return fellowship or later visits to Germany are also possible.

• Applicant type: postdoctoral researchers or experienced researchers.
• Nationality/residency status: must be a Brazilian national or have permanent resident status in Brazil. German nationals may apply if they have been living and working in Brazil for at least five years and on the assumption of permanence.
• Residency: must be resident in Brazil and must not have lived in Germany for more than 90 days within the last 18 months.
• Postdoctoral researchers: must have completed a doctorate within the last four years; must have been published in academic journals and by publishing houses reviewed according to international standards; and must meet the criteria under “What is required of you”.
• Experienced researchers: must have completed a doctorate within the last twelve years; must have an academic profile substantiated by an extensive list of publications including important papers where the applicant acted as thematic lead; and must hold a leadership role commensurate with career level in a corresponding position (for example assistant professor, lecturer, head of an independent research group, or higher-level position); and must meet the criteria under “What is required of you”.
• Research facilities/host statement: a researcher from an academic institution of the applicant’s choice in Germany must provide a mentoring agreement and written confirmation that research facilities are available, and compile a detailed review.
• Language skills (by field):
  • Natural sciences and engineering: good knowledge of German or English.
  • Humanities, social sciences and medicine: good knowledge of German if necessary for successfully conducting research; otherwise good knowledge of English suffices.
• Scientific practice: must abide by the Rules of Good Scientific Practice and principles of scientific ethics.
• Generative AI: the foundation provides information on dealing with generative AI in the selection area.
• Exclusion: may not apply if the applicant has already received sponsorship from the Humboldt Foundation (alumni programmes remain open).
• Application welcome: the programme states it welcomes all applications regardless of ethnic, cultural or social background, gender identity, age, religion, worldview, disability, or sexual orientation.

• Monthly fellowship amount: €3,000 for Brazilian postdoctoral researchers.
• Monthly fellowship amount: €3,600 for experienced Brazilian researchers.
• Additional benefits: included in the programme offering alongside the fellowship amount.
• Personal support throughout the sponsorship.
• Intensive language course prior to the research fellowship for the fellow and partner.
• Further financial support including family benefits for children and partners and allowances for travel expenses.
• Host institute support: host institutes will generally receive a subsidy towards research costs.
• Alumni sponsorship measures after the research stay ends, with flexible support.
• Return fellowship or later visits to Germany are also possible.

1. Register and apply online using the Humboldt Foundation application process (“Apply online”).
2. Submit the necessary documents online only to both the Humboldt Foundation and CAPES.
3. Upload the required documents in the application form, and submit the application only after uploading them.
4. After submission, the host receives a link to view application documents and upload any relevant documents.
5. Ensure the host uploads all necessary documents; the application is only forwarded to the Humboldt Foundation once the host has uploaded the necessary documents.
6. Check the status of the application in the corresponding field in the application form.
7. If there are doubts or questions, contact [email protected] before submitting the application.

• Curriculum vitae (two pages max).
• Research outline (five pages max).
• Complete list of your publications (with sample list of publications).
• List of selected key publications (with sample list of key publications).
• Key publications.
• Doctoral certificate.
• German language certificate, if required.
• If required: publisher’s acceptance notifications and/or acknowledgement of receipt and summaries/translations of key publications that are not available in English.
• A detailed statement of your host in Germany.
• Confirmation of research facilities (provided through the host’s statement and confirmation process).