Einstein Visiting Fellow
Due to the Einstein Foundation’s financial situation, no new applications for Einstein Centers can be accepted until the end of 2024.
The Einstein Visiting Fellowship aims to enhance the international profile of universities and research institutions in Berlin by involving leading scientists and scholars from abroad in long-term academic research collaborations. The programme primarily targets researchers whose expertise can sustainably promote specific areas of academic excellence in Berlin. In contrast to typical visiting researchers who stay at an institution for one semester, the goal of the Einstein Visiting Fellowship is to integrate Fellows into Berlin's academic landscape on a sustainable basis.
Einstein Visiting Fellows are expected to set up a working group in Berlin in consultation with their hosts and come to Berlin at least three times a year for several weeks or once a year for more than five months to work with the group and be available for junior researchers. While in Berlin, Visiting Fellows also work on joint projects with other researchers and run courses and other events in agreement with their host institutions.
ELIGIBILITY
Applications may be submitted by a Berlin-based Cluster of Excellence funded through Germany's Excellence Strategy. In addition, Einstein Centers are eligible as well as DFG Research Training Groups and Collaborative Research Centers if they have at least three years of their maximum funding period left. The eligibility of entities who are not (or are no longer) receiving competitively acquired third-party funding is judged on a case-by-case basis and will be permitted providing adequate justification is given.
All applications must be endorsed by the management of the host university or Charité – Universitätsmedizin.
FUNDING
The Foundation will provide up to €500,000 over three years or €330,000 for applications for extensions over two years.
These funds are intended for the creation of a working group in Berlin, including a postdoctoral position permanently based in Berlin who can take over that will involve the handling of managerial functions for the group.
The funds may also be used for:
- an appropriate expense allowance for the Einstein Visiting Fellow – in accordance with the regulations governing the host institution – to be based on the Fellow’s qualifications and position in his or her home country,
- expenses for directly incurred expenses (including travel and accommodation) as deemed necessary by the Fellow for his or her research project.
The host university or Charité–Universitätsmedizin will provide the space and infrastructure required.
There is no contractual relationship between the Einstein Foundation and Einstein Visiting Fellows. All necessary arrangements must be agreed between the institution submitting the application and the Fellow.
The respective scientist or scholar will hold the title of “Einstein Visiting Fellow” for the duration of the funding.
FUNDING PERIOD
Funding is provided for a period of three years. At the end of this period, an application for a further two years may be submitted.
V. APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications in all disciplines are welcome. Proposals must be made using the application forms provided online by the Einstein Foundation. Application deadlines can be found on the Foundation's website.
If an eligible institution has set internal deadlines for applications to the Einstein Foundation, please contact the relevant person at your institution (see below) in good time.
Applications must be submitted in English and include the following:
- The Einstein Visiting Fellow’s name, curriculum vitae, and list of publications.
- An explanation of the importance of the Einstein Visiting Fellowship to the host institution, including information on:
- the joint research project proposed by the Fellow and the host institution,
- past and current research collaborations with the Einstein Visiting Fellow being nominated,
- the Fellow’s expected contribution to enhancing teaching at the host institution,
- the size and focus of the working group to be set up in Berlin,
- the frequency and duration of the Fellow’s proposed visits to Berlin,
- the activities planned to integrate the Fellow into Berlin’s research landscape,
- the administrative and organisational support to be provided by the host institution.
- An explanation of the importance of the Einstein Visiting Fellowship for long- and medium-term cooperation between the host institution in Berlin and the Fellow’s home institution.
- If an application is submitted by an entity that is not receiving third-party funding, the entity's excellence and importance for the profile of the applying institution must be separately stated.
APPLICATIONS FOR EXTENSIONS
Applications for extensions should be made using the forms provided by the Einstein Foundation and submitted by the deadlines announced on the Foundation’s website.
The same rules and recommendations apply as for the original application (see above, II. - V.).
Applications for an extension of funding must include the following:
- A review of the initial funding period and an assessment of the Einstein Visiting Fellow’s importance for the host institution during that time, including information on:
- the joint research project conducted by the Fellow and the host institution during the initial period (including any joint publications, events, etc.),
- the Fellow’s contribution to teaching at the host institution,
- the size and focus of the working group in Berlin during the initial funding period,
- the frequency and duration of the Fellow’s visits to Berlin during the initial funding period,
- the measures adopted to integrate the Fellow into Berlin’s research landscape,
- the administrative and organisational support provided by the host institution.
- Information on the proposals for the second funding period, including:
- a description of the research project planned by the Fellow and the host institution for the second funding period,
- the Fellow’s expected contribution to enhancing the quality of teaching at the host institution,
- the size and focus of the Berlin working group during the second funding period,
- the frequency and duration of the Fellow’s visits to Berlin during the second funding period,
- further measures to integrate the Fellow into Berlin’s research landscape,
- the administrative and organisational support to be provided by the host institution.
- An explanation of the added value of the second phase of funding for medium- and long-term cooperation between the host institution in Berlin and the Einstein Visiting Fellow's home institution.
EINSTEIN VISITING FELLOW PLUS
Entities that have previously been successful in their application for an Einstein Visiting Fellow from abroad may apply for an Einstein Visiting Fellow from a German institution. The requirements are identical with the standard program. The maximum amount of funding is €330,000 for three years or €220,000 for two-year extensions. A remuneration of the Fellow is not possible.
USE OF FUNDS
Grants from the Foundation are disbursed through the budget of the host university or the Charité–Universitätsmedizin as third-party funding. The host institution acts as employer of persons funded by the Einstein Foundation's grant and will provide the space and infrastructure required.
Contact
Dr. Julio Decker
Officer Grants advisory and Processing T: +49(0)30 20370–403
antrag(at)einsteinfoundation.de
Contacts at the applying institutions:
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin: Kerstin Dlab, Prodekanat Forschung
- Freie Universität Berlin: Dr. Claudia Niggebrügge, Forschungsförderung und -information
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: Dr. Christoph Raiser, Servicezentrum Forschung
- Technische Universität Berlin: Dr. Stefan Schlelein, Servicebereich Forschung
- Universität der Künste Berlin: Mandy Heinze, Geschäftsstelle Fördermittel
- Berlin University Alliance: Anna V. Cramme, Projektmanagerin Kooperation Oxford
