About the programme
The 2027 residency brings together twelve international participants: Humboldt alumni, early career researchers, writers, artists, civil society actors and social entrepreneurs. Over the programme, participants work in shared spaces, build transdisciplinary links, and design formats to communicate their messages to audiences beyond academia. The 2027 annual theme is 'Oceanic Horizons', exploring ocean health, human activity and planetary futures. The programme runs June to October 2027, with a virtual kick-off, residencies at Schloss Wiepersdorf and in Berlin, excursions to northern Germany and the coasts, and a virtual wrap-up.
Duration: Six weeks residency within June to October 2027
Eligibility
- Participation in full in person from August 2 to September 10, 2027 is mandatory
- Alumni: relevant academic or professional expertise linked to the annual theme, holding an academic position, not currently based in Germany, and not receiving another Humboldt Foundation funding at the start of the residency
- Early career researchers: PhD in progress or completed less than four years before August 2027, academic position, not based in Germany, clear academic profile linked to the theme
- Civil society practitioners: clear connection to the annual theme through previous work, and not holding an academic position; creatives or professionals (e.g. politics, entrepreneurship, NGOs, consulting)
- Sign in to check these against your background.
What they look for
- Experience in science communication or connecting research to social and political contexts (for early career researchers)
- Demonstrated willingness and ability to communicate work beyond academia (alumni)
- Potential to act as multipliers for ideas from the residency (civil society)
- Innovative or creative approaches to the annual theme
What you receive
- Monthly allowance during the six-week residency
- Travel allowance to and from Germany
- Accommodation at Schloss Wiepersdorf and in Berlin
- Budget for public communication formats or output
- Family accommodation and childcare support for dependants
What you will need
- Curriculum Vitae (max. 3 pages, PDF)
- Introduction video (max. 60 seconds, mp4, mov, avi or mpeg, shared via Smash)
How to apply
- Submit application online only, after uploading CV and introduction video
- Applications assessed on a rolling basis; selection committee meets mid-February 2027
- Decision expected at end of February 2027
- Optional digital info session on November 24, 2026, 2:00–3:00pm CET (registration via Zoom)
- Questions to residency[at]avh.de
Applications are submitted on Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s own site. Open Doors helps you prepare; it is not the official application portal.
From people who applied
No notes yet.
Source and verification
- Official source
- Alexander von Humboldt Foundation · Application
- Last checked
- 12 Nov 2026, verified by our editors
Run this programme? Update this listing.