Gerda Henkel Foundation Research Scholarships for Postdoctoral Scholars

Gerda Henkel Foundation provides scholarships for Postdoctoral scholars. The organization is dedicated to advancing research in the humanities and social sciences, and offers prestigious research scholarships for postdoctoral scholars and senior academics.

These grants support innovative, independent research projects across disciplines such as history, archaeology, art history, philosophy, and cultural studies.

Below is a detailed guide to the scholarship program, including eligibility, funding, application requirements, and key deadlines.

Target Group for Gerda Henkel Foundation scholarship

Scientists holding a PhD or who are eligible to be a junior professor from the historical humanities wishing to carry out an independent research project alone. Research projects from the following subjects are given funding priority:

Archaeology
History of art
Historical Islamic studies
History
History of science
Prehistory and early history
History of law

Program Of Gerda Henkel Foundation scholarship

The Gerda Henkel Foundation prioritizes individual research excellence, funding projects that demonstrate academic rigor, originality, and societal relevance.

Unlike many grants requiring institutional affiliation, this scholarship allows scholars to work independently, offering flexibility to focus entirely on their research.

Key Features:

Funding Duration: 1–24 months (flexible timelines).
Target Scholars:
- Postdocs: PhD holders within the last 10 years.
- Senior Researchers: Scholars with Post Doctoral Lecture Qualification (Habilitation) or equivalent (e.g., tenured professors).
Geographic Focus: Open globally, with additional stipends for research conducted abroad.
Exclusions: Projects overlapping with PhD theses or previously rejected proposals.

Eligibility Requirements

1. For Postdoctoral Researchers

PhD Completion: Must have earned a PhD within the past 10 years (calculated from the degree certificate date). Periods of parental leave, caregiving, or professional training are automatically factored into this timeline.
Dissertation Publication: The PhD thesis must be published at the time of application. A publishing contract is insufficient.
Project Differentiation: The proposed research must differ substantially from the PhD topic.

2. For Senior Scholars (Post-Habilitation)

Qualification: Requires Habilitation (post-doctoral lecturing qualification) or equivalent. For non-German systems, this includes:
- Tenured associate/full professors (U.S. system).
- Senior lecturers or readers (Commonwealth system).
- Junior professors with positive interim evaluations.

General Restrictions

Previous Grantees: Reapply only if the last Gerda Henkel scholarship ended over five years ago.
Rejected Applicants: Submit a new project only if the last rejection occurred over three years ago.

Funding Details

The foundation offers two tiers of scholarships, differentiated by career stage:

1. Postdoctoral Scholarships

Monthly Stipend: €2,760 (approx. $3,000 USD).
Family Allowances:
- €480/month for the first child (<18 years).
- €120/month for each additional child.
Research Abroad Supplement: €690/month for costs incurred outside the home country.
Additional Support:
- Travel expenses (flights, local transport).
- Material costs (archival access, photocopies, specialized equipment).

2. Post-Habilitation Scholarships

Monthly Stipend: €3,720 (approx. $4,000 USD).
Family Allowances: Same as above.
Research Abroad Supplement: €930/month.
Travel/Material Costs: Fully covered as justified in the application.

Exclusions:

Salary or pension recipients (no dual funding).
Tuition fees, conference attendance, or flat-rate daily allowances.

Application Process of Gerda Henkel Foundation scholarship

Prepare Required Documents

Research Proposal (Max 8 pages):
- Clearly articulate objectives, methodology, and significance.
- Include a bibliography (separate from the 8-page limit).
- Use Arial 11pt or Times New Roman 12pt with 1.5-line spacing.
Detailed Cost Calculation:
- Break down expenses in euros:
  - Travel: Flights, trains, accommodation.
  - Materials: Archival fees, lab equipment, software.
- Avoid lump sums; specify exact amounts.
Curriculum Vitae:
- Tabular format with publications list.
- Highlight academic milestones (PhD, awards, prior grants).
Academic Certificates:
- Upload PhD diploma, Habilitation certificate (if applicable).
- Exclude Bachelor’s degrees.
Letter(s) of Recommendation:
- Minimum one letter from a senior academic.

Submit Online

Save progress within 10 days; incomplete forms auto-delete after this period.
Upload all documents as unprotected PDFs (max 6MB/file).
No postal or email submissions accepted.

Post-Submission

Confirmation: A receipt email is sent upon successful submission.
Review Timeline:
- Main Deadline (May 26, 2025): Decisions announced post-November 2025 committee meeting. Funding starts earliest December 2025.
- Small Grants (≤€30,000): Rolling deadline; decisions within 3–4 months.

Tips for a Competitive Application

Emphasize projects addressing historical, cultural, or social challenges.
Justify every cost (e.g.,€1,200 for three research trips to Berlin archives).
Choose referees familiar with your work who can attest to the project’s feasibility.
Ensure error-free proposals; consider professional editing for non-native German/English speakers.

Also check : Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowships| Fully Funded UK

Why Choose Gerda Henkel?

Join a network of globally recognized scholars.
No teaching obligations or institutional ties.
Conduct research in international archives, libraries, or field sites with travel support.

Key Deadlines

Main Application Deadline: May 26, 2025 (for November 2025 review).
Small Grants: Apply anytime; decisions year-round.

Contact & Resources

Website: Gerda Henkel Foundation
FAQs: Detailed guidelines on project scope, eligibility, and submission.
Email Support: Direct queries to the foundation’s administrative team.

Final Note: The Gerda Henkel Foundation rewards meticulous planning and scholarly innovation. Start early, consult past successful applications, and leverage this opportunity to advance your academic career with unparalleled freedom and support.

Apply Now: Gerda Henkel Foundation Application official page

Transform your research vision into reality—submit your application by May 26, 2025!

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