The German Chancellor Fellowship 2023

The German Chancellor Fellowship 2023 is an opportunity offered by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation* to graduate students. This fellowship provides the students with an opportunity to connect with other candidates from different countries and find solutions to contemporary global issues. The selected fellows will receive a monthly fellowship grant of up to EUR 2,600 and other benefits.

*Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is a foundation established by the government of the Federal Republic of Germany and funded by the Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development as well as other national and international partners.

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is providing the fellowship.

To be eligible, the applicant must - 

• be an Indian national
• hold a bachelor's or equivalent academic degree
• have completed the first academic degree (bachelor's or equivalent degree) no more than twelve years ago (Note - The key date for calculating this twelve-year period is 1 October 2024)
• be working in a field such as politics, business, media, administration, society, or culture and have demonstrable initial leadership experience
• have good knowledge of English and/or German language

The selected candidates will receive the following awards - 

• A monthly fellowship grant of 2,000 Euros, 2,300 Euros, or 2,600 euros – depending on the training and career level
• A mobility allowance and a contribution to health and liability insurance
• An intensive language course before the applicant begins the fellowship along with funding for German courses during the fellowship
• Individual support during the stay in Germany
• Family allowances are up to EUR 346 a month for marital partners and up to EUR 289 a month for every child
• Flat-rate allowances for accompanying children under the age of 18 years for single parents. At least three months of allowances will be provided that include EUR 400 a month for the first child and EUR 100 a month for every additional child.
• A subsidy of EUR 500 per month for the research costs is to be paid to the hosts.
• Europe allowance for a stay at an institute in another European country (though not the fellow’s own country) for one to two months during the course of the fellowship if necessary to ensure the success of the project
• Extensive alumni sponsorship, in particular, to support long-term connections with the cooperation partners in Germany over the duration of the candidate's entire professional career.

Note - For more information, kindly refer to the 'Fellowship Guidelines' document.

Eligible candidates can apply for the position using the steps listed below -

Step 1: Click on the 'Apply Now' button below and read all details.
Step 2: Click on the 'Register' button on the right-hand side of the dashboard and fill in the required details to 'Register'. (Note - If already registered, log in using the registered email Id.)
Step 3: Click on the 'Apply Online' button and click on the first option - 'I am new to the Humboldt Foundation and would like to create a user account' to register/create a new account. (Note - Candidates already registered can select the second link to log in with valid credentials.)
Step 4: Fill in the required information to receive a registration link at the registered email address.
Step 5: Click on the registration link and log in with the valid credentials.
Step 6: Click on the 'Create Form' option and click on the 'Proceed to the form' button on the next page.
Step 7: Read the instruction carefully, fill in the required details, upload the necessary documents, and click submit.

• Letter of motivation (max. 2 pages)
• Project Plan
• An extensive statement including mentoring agreement from your host in Germany
• Two letters of recommendation (not more than 12 months old) from individuals who can provide information on the candidate's professional, personal, and/or academic background
• A detailed statement, including a confirmation of research facilities and mentoring agreement, from a host in Germany

The selection process consists of two steps. Initially, the candidates will be shortlisted from all formally eligible applications based on the written documents. After that, the shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview. During an interview, the candidates will have to present themselves and their projects to an independent selection committee which decides how the fellowships for the respective programme country should be allocated. A further selection tool involves a group discussion on an overarching topic of general interest.

The candidate will be selected based on the following criteria - 

• Performance during the interview.
• Group Discussion on the topics referred by the Selection Committee.
• Providing joint solutions to the problems discussed in group discussions.
• Appropriate presentation of the solution post-group discussion.

Note -

• The interview will last for 20 minutes and will be conducted in German or English.
• Group discussion topics might include the candidates' -
  • professional or Academic backgrounds
  • interests in Germany
  • career plans
  • one-year stay in Germany and how it impacted their professional career

Program Announcement - 1st March 2023
Application Deadline - 15th October 2023
Selection Meeting - April 2024

• Students will receive an intensive German course in Bonn for a maximum of 3 months.
• The fellowship program is under the patronage of the Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• The regular starting date of the fellowship is 1st October 2024.

Note - For more information, kindly refer to the 'Fellowship Guidelines' document.