Fraunhofer-Bessel Research Award: €45,000 for Applied Researchers

Fraunhofer-Bessel Research Award at a glance

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft jointly grant up to three Fraunhofer-Bessel Research Awards each year. The programme recognises researchers whose achievements in applied research are internationally established and whose future work is expected to influence their discipline beyond their immediate specialisation.

Who can be nominated?

The programme is intended for internationally recognised researchers working in applied research abroad. A strong record is necessary, but the Foundation also considers whether the nominee is likely to produce further work with influence beyond the immediate research area.

Core eligibility conditions

• Doctorate timing: the doctorate must normally have been completed no more than 18 years before the nomination reaches the Humboldt Foundation.
• Career breaks: verified child-rearing or other recognised career breaks may extend the doctorate window. The official guidance limits the total extension to six years.
• International research standing: achievements must demonstrate international recognition in applied research.
• Residence and work history: the nominee must have lived and worked predominantly outside Germany for at least five years at the time of nomination.
• Employment in Germany: the nominee must not have entered or accepted permanent employment in Germany before the selection date.
• Previous Humboldt research awards: anyone who has already received a Humboldt Foundation research award for academic achievements is not eligible for another research-award nomination.

Special eligibility situations

There is no general age limit. A researcher without a doctorate may be considered when a doctorate is not customary or possible in the relevant country or discipline and the academic record is equivalent to a PhD. The Foundation asks prospective nominators to obtain advice before proceeding in such cases.

Previous Humboldt research fellows may still be eligible. The official guidance states that nomination is typically possible no earlier than five years after the initial fellowship sponsorship has ended. Short previous stays in Germany do not normally create an automatic exclusion if the five-year abroad requirement is satisfied.

The programme summary describes the target group as researchers from all countries excluding Germany. The official FAQ separately explains that a German national working abroad in an academic position for at least five years may be considered after advance review of their CV and publication list.

Award value and research stay

€45,000 award money

The award amount is €45,000 and is paid to the award winner in instalments. It recognises the recipient’s academic achievements and is not presented as a monthly salary or a conventional project grant.

German tax treatment depends on the purpose and circumstances of an award. The Humboldt Foundation notes that research awards of this type are generally not subject to German income tax, but recipients remain responsible for their tax affairs. Rules in the home or residence country may differ.

Six-to-twelve-month Fraunhofer research stay

Award winners are invited to undertake a research project of their choice with specialist colleagues at a Fraunhofer institute in Germany. The total stay must be between six and twelve months and may be divided into several visits.

The current programme information states that further expenditure connected with the research invitation, such as travel or language courses, may be covered under the applicable Humboldt Foundation regulations. The exact entitlement should be confirmed before travel or accommodation commitments are made.

Documents required from the nominator

The nomination is prepared and submitted by the eligible Fraunhofer-based nominator. The current official instructions identify these core uploads:

1. Personal statement or scientific appraisal: two to five pages explaining the nominee’s achievements, the significance of the work and the basis for expecting further research impact.
2. Information on the invitation to Germany: no more than two pages covering the planned visit and institutional arrangements.
3. Three to five key publications: a commented selection limited to two pages.
4. Publication list: the nominee’s complete academic publication record for the preceding ten years.

The online form may request additional details. The nominator should follow the current form and instructions because an incomplete file may be excluded from selection.

Who nominates and how the process works

Researchers cannot nominate themselves. A director or leading researcher at a Fraunhofer institute in Germany must initiate the nomination. A Humboldt Foundation award winner working abroad may also initiate a nomination, but it must be submitted jointly with a researcher working at a Fraunhofer institute.

If the nominator is not a member of the institute’s management team, the management must approve the submission. Close relatives and marital or registered partners may not nominate one another.

Nomination steps

1. Establish the research match. The nominee and potential host identify a relevant Fraunhofer institute, specialist colleague and applied-research connection.
2. Check eligibility. Confirm the doctorate date, career breaks, residence history, current employment and previous Humboldt sponsorship.
3. Seek preliminary consultation. The official instructions ask nominators to contact Fraunhofer Headquarters before submission.
4. Prepare the appraisal and supporting documents. The scientific case should explain demonstrated achievements and the expected value of future work.
5. Obtain management approval where required. This applies when the nominator is not part of the Fraunhofer institute’s management team.
6. Submit through the official online system. The nominator uploads the completed documents using a Humboldt Foundation account.

Official programme, guidance and online nomination links are provided in the source panel below.

Review timeline and selection criteria

The Humboldt Foundation reports a formal verification stage of approximately four to eight weeks, followed by an external review stage of approximately three to four months. The complete review process normally takes about six months.

An independent committee meets in March and October. These months are selection meetings, not submission deadlines. The nominator is informed after the meeting. When an award is approved, the official award documents are generally issued about four weeks later, and the earliest start is two months after the selection meeting.

Main selection considerations

• An outstanding research record with achievements that have already influenced the nominee’s field.
• A research area with clear practical applications.
• Credible prospects for further achievements with influence beyond the immediate specialisation.
• The significance of the award in relation to the position of the nominee’s research field in Germany.

Competition is independent of discipline. The official programme states that there are no quotas for countries, subjects or gender.

How a potential nominee can prepare

A candidate does not control the formal submission, but can make it easier for a qualified Fraunhofer researcher to assess the case.

• Identify the Fraunhofer institute and research group that most closely match your applied-research record.
• Prepare a short evidence-based overview of your strongest contributions, including publications, patents, prototypes, methods, standards, technology transfer or documented implementation.
• Explain the practical problem addressed by your work and why collaboration with that Fraunhofer institute would be useful.
• Maintain a complete ten-year publication list and a concise selection of three to five publications with clear explanations of individual significance.
• Share career-break information where relevant so the nominator can obtain an accurate eligibility assessment.
• Allow enough time for preliminary consultation, institute approval, completeness checks and peer review.