Starter Grant Programme 2027 – Award sum of 10,000 € (Euros): Open to all disciplines

Starter Grant Programme 2027 – Award sum of 10,000 € (Euros): Open to all disciplines

The University of Bayreuth Centre of International Excellence “Alexander von Humboldt,” known as the Bayreuth Humboldt Centre, has opened two funding calls for internationally based researchers: the Starter Grant Programme 2027, offering €10,000 for a research stay in Germany, and the Short Term Grants Programme 2026, covering travel and accommodation costs for shorter research visits. Both calls are open to researchers across all disciplines and share the same application deadline.

Here is a full breakdown of both grants, eligibility, and how to apply.

About the Bayreuth Humboldt Centre

The Bayreuth Humboldt Centre exists to promote excellent research at the University of Bayreuth and to advance internationalisation and networking with leading universities worldwide. Both grant programmes support academic exchange across disciplines, cultures, countries, and career stages, connecting established and younger researchers, and encouraging engagement between the research community and broader society.

Application Deadline for Both Grants: 15 September 2026

Starter Grant Programme 2027

What the Starter Grant Offers

• Award sum: €10,000, at the Grantee’s disposal to cover all costs of realising their research project
• Grantees accompanied by at least one child receive an additional family allowance of €250 per month
• Successful Starter Grant holders may later apply for a follow-up “Booster Grant” worth €20,000, provided they can demonstrate successful outcomes such as joint publications or a jointly organised workshop or conference

How the Grant Works

Grantees carry out their own research project in Germany in cooperation with a local host at the University of Bayreuth, identified by the applicant before submitting their application. The Centre’s Administrative Office does not assist in finding a host, since the programme is built around direct researcher-to-researcher contact. Local hosts provide appropriate office and lab space along with up-to-date infrastructure.

The Grant begins once the applicant signs the Declaration of Acceptance, and funds are transferred with the Grantee’s first visit to the University of Bayreuth. This visit, which can be of flexible duration, must take place within one year of official acceptance. A report is required 15 months after acceptance, so the Centre strongly recommends visiting Bayreuth soon after accepting the Grant.

Candidate Requirements

• Must be affiliated with an institution abroad
• Must hold a fully completed PhD, including the PhD diploma. An in-progress or not-yet-conferred PhD does not qualify
• Selection is based on the academic excellence of both the applicant and the proposed cooperative project, evidenced through factors such as high-ranking publications
• Applicants must also show strong potential for networking with the University of Bayreuth beyond their individual host

The Centre states plainly that it values diversity among its awardees and is committed to gender equality, actively encouraging female scholars, and anyone who can broaden the university’s research profile, to apply.

Short Term Grants Programme 2026

What the Short Term Grant Offers

Short Term Grants are intended for shorter research stays of around 1 to 3 weeks, and cover:

• Travel expenses between the researcher’s home institution and Bayreuth
• Accommodation costs in Bayreuth
• Total reimbursement of up to €3,500

Unlike the Starter Grant, Short Term Grants are open to researchers regardless of their field of research.

How the Grant Works

As with the Starter Grant, Short Term Grantees must identify their own local host at the University of Bayreuth before applying, since the Centre’s Administrative Office does not assist with host-matching. The local host provides appropriate office and lab space, along with current infrastructure, for the duration of the stay.

Candidate Requirements

• Must be affiliated with an institution abroad
• Must hold a fully completed PhD, including the PhD diploma
• Selection is based on the academic excellence of the applicant and the proposed cooperative project, along with the potential for networking with the University of Bayreuth beyond the local host

As with the Starter Grant, the Centre is explicit about welcoming diverse applicants, and encourages female scholars and researchers who can help diversify the university’s research profile to apply.

Important Note for African Studies Researchers

Both programmes carry a specific restriction for applicants whose research focus is African Studies. Members of the University of Bayreuth’s Cluster of Excellence, as defined under the Cluster Rules, cannot act as a host for applications with an African Studies research focus. This restriction exists because German Research Foundation regulations prevent the Centre from funding activity that would enhance the resources of the university’s own Cluster of Excellence. If your research falls into this category, or you are unsure whether it does, the Centre recommends contacting its office directly before applying.

How to Apply

Starter Grant Programme 2027

1. Confirm you hold a fully completed PhD and are affiliated with an institution abroad
2. Identify a local host researcher at the University of Bayreuth for your proposed project
3. Review the binding Application Guidelines for Starter Grants, available through the Centre’s Downloads page, since applications that do not follow the guidelines exactly will not be considered
4. Submit your complete application through the official online form

Short Term Grants Programme 2026

1. Confirm you hold a fully completed PhD and are affiliated with an institution abroad
2. Identify a local host researcher at the University of Bayreuth for your proposed short-term stay
3. Review the binding Application Guidelines for Short Term Grants, available through the Centre’s Downloads page
4. Register with an email address and password on the application platform, then submit your complete application

Visit the official website to apply

Final Thoughts

Both the Starter Grant and Short Term Grant programmes offer genuine, well-resourced pathways for PhD-holding researchers based outside Germany to build direct academic partnerships at the University of Bayreuth, from a fully funded multi-week starter project through to a shorter, cost-covered research visit. Since both calls close on 15 September 2026, and require an identified host before you apply, the most important first step is reaching out to a potential collaborator at Bayreuth as early as possible.

Starter Grant Programme 2027, apply by 15 September 2026

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