Fellowships Scholarships

What is a fellowship?

The word fellowship is used for many different kinds of opportunities.

A fellowship may support:

• postgraduate study
• doctoral research
• postdoctoral research
• professional development
• leadership training
• policy work
• academic exchange
• temporary research stays
• independent projects

This is why applicants should not assume that every fellowship is simply another name for a scholarship.

Some fellowships provide funding for a complete academic programme.

Others last only a few months.

Some are designed exclusively for people who already hold a PhD.

Others accept recent university graduates or working professionals.

The first thing to understand is therefore what type of fellowship you are looking at.

Fellowship and scholarship are not always the same thing

Scholarships are commonly connected directly to education and may help pay for:

• tuition
• accommodation
• living costs
• books
• travel

Fellowships are often more focused on a specific activity, career stage or professional objective.

For example, a research fellowship may provide a monthly allowance so a researcher can spend twelve months working with a host university.

A leadership fellowship may bring young professionals together for training, networking and practical projects.

A postdoctoral fellowship may fund an individual researcher to conduct an independent project after completing a doctorate.

There is considerable overlap, so the title alone does not tell you exactly what is funded.

Always read the programme details.

Start by identifying the target group

Before preparing an application, find out who the programme is actually for.

A fellowship may target:

• undergraduate students
• recent graduates
• master's students
• PhD candidates
• postdoctoral researchers
• academics
• journalists
• entrepreneurs
• public servants
• civil society leaders
• professionals with several years of experience

Do not spend several days preparing an application before checking this.

A highly attractive fellowship for postdoctoral researchers is irrelevant if you have not completed a doctorate.

Fellowships can be academic or professional

It helps to separate fellowships into two broad groups.

Academic and research fellowships

These usually focus on:

• research
• postgraduate study
• academic mobility
• laboratory work
• publications
• university collaboration
• professional development within academia

Examples include programmes such as the Humboldt Research Fellowship and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships.

Professional and leadership fellowships

These may focus more heavily on:

• leadership development
• public policy
• entrepreneurship
• community impact
• journalism
• governance
• international relations
• professional networking

Their application criteria may place less emphasis on publications and much more emphasis on professional achievement and demonstrated impact.

Do not use the same application strategy for both types.

Research fellowships

Research fellowships are especially common after master's and doctoral study.

They can allow researchers to:

• join another university temporarily
• work with a specific professor
• conduct an independent project
• access specialised laboratories or archives
• build international collaborations
• publish research
• develop new methodological skills

Research fit is often more important than simply wanting to travel abroad.

A strong applicant should be able to explain why the proposed host institution is particularly appropriate for the project.

Humboldt Research Fellowship

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Research Fellowship is a good example of how a research fellowship differs from a normal university scholarship.

It supports qualified researchers from outside Germany who want to conduct research with a host at a German university or research institution.

Current programme rules distinguish between postdoctoral researchers and experienced researchers. Postdoctoral fellowships can last from 6 to 24 months, while the experienced researcher route can support stays of 6 to 18 months.

The current monthly fellowship amounts are:

• €3,000 for postdoctoral researchers
• €3,600 for experienced researchers

Additional support can include travel, health insurance assistance, family benefits and language preparation.

This is research funding, not an ordinary master's scholarship.

Humboldt applicants need a host

An important part of the Humboldt Research Fellowship is finding an appropriate academic host in Germany.

The Humboldt Foundation states that applicants are generally responsible for identifying a suitable researcher who can host their proposed project and provide the required research facilities.

This means applicants should not begin by sending hundreds of identical messages saying:

“Dear Professor, please give me a fellowship.”

Instead, research potential hosts carefully.

Look at:

• their research area
• current projects
• recent publications
• laboratory or department
• whether your proposed project genuinely fits

Then contact the person with a specific explanation of your research interests.

Current Humboldt application situation

Applicants should also check the live programme status rather than relying on an old deadline.

As of September 2026, the Humboldt Foundation states that the current application round has reached its maximum number of applications and that the next call will open on 15 November 2026.

Under the revised system, the programme now operates three calls per year, each linked to a later selection meeting.

This is a useful reminder that fellowship application systems can change.

An article saying “Humboldt has no deadline” may no longer reflect the current procedure.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships

Another major research fellowship route is the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowship, usually abbreviated as MSCA PF.

The programme is funded through the European Union's Horizon Europe research framework.

It supports researchers who already hold a PhD and want to develop their careers through international, interdisciplinary and sometimes intersectoral mobility.

MSCA fellowships support research across academic fields rather than being restricted to one scientific discipline.

The 2026 MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship call

The 2026 MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship call opened on 9 April 2026 and had a deadline of 9 September 2026 at 17:00 CEST.

The call had a budget of approximately €399.05 million and was expected to fund nearly 1,600 projects.

Because that deadline has now passed, applicants planning for the next cycle should wait for the official next call rather than submitting based on an old 2026 advertisement.

MSCA is not a traditional student scholarship

One of the most important things to understand about MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships is that the application involves both:

the researcher

and

the host organisation

The proposal is built around a research project and host institution.

This is very different from applying for admission to a master's degree and then requesting a tuition scholarship.

Postdoctoral applicants need to think about:

• research proposal quality
• host expertise
• training
• career development
• methodology
• impact
• mobility
• implementation

The fellowship is designed around developing a researcher, not simply paying university tuition.

Doctoral opportunities can also be called fellowships

The word fellowship is also frequently used for PhD funding.

A doctoral fellowship may provide:

• tuition coverage
• monthly stipend
• research costs
• conference funding
• insurance
• relocation assistance

But some PhD opportunities are not formally called fellowships at all.

They may instead be advertised as:

• doctoral researcher
• PhD position
• research assistant
• studentship
• doctoral scholarship
• funded doctoral vacancy

Applicants interested in research careers should search using several of these terms.

Postdoctoral fellowships

Postdoctoral fellowships are designed for researchers who have already completed a doctorate or are close to satisfying the fellowship's doctorate requirement.

They can help researchers:

• become more independent
• develop new research expertise
• publish
• build an international network
• move into a new research field
• prepare for academic positions
• establish collaborations

A postdoctoral fellowship is not simply “another degree after a PhD.”

The fellow is usually working primarily as a researcher.

Career stage matters

Many fellowships calculate eligibility based on:

• date of PhD completion
• years of research experience
• years since graduation
• professional experience
• current academic position

Always read how the programme defines these terms.

For example, the Humboldt programme currently distinguishes postdoctoral researchers from experienced researchers and has specific career-stage requirements for each route.

Do not assume that “I finished my PhD five years ago” automatically places you in one category.

Use the programme's definition.

Mobility rules are common

International fellowships often have mobility requirements.

A programme may restrict applicants who have already spent too much time in the host country.

This exists because many fellowships are intended specifically to encourage international movement.

For example, current Humboldt requirements generally prevent applicants from having lived in Germany for more than a total of 90 days during the 18 months immediately before application, subject to the programme's detailed rules.

Applicants who have already been studying or working in the intended host country should check mobility rules very carefully.

Do not confuse nationality with residence

Fellowships sometimes distinguish between:

• nationality
• country of residence
• country where you studied
• host country

These are not always treated the same way.

A Gambian citizen studying in Indonesia, for example, may be evaluated according to nationality for one fellowship and current residence for another.

Another programme might determine mobility eligibility based on where the applicant has physically lived during a specific period.

Read the definitions before applying.

Professional fellowships

Professional fellowships can operate very differently from research programmes.

They may target people working in:

• government
• business
• journalism
• NGOs
• education
• health
• technology
• entrepreneurship
• community development

Selection may focus heavily on what the applicant has already accomplished professionally.

Common criteria can include:

• work experience
• leadership
• measurable impact
• community involvement
• future potential
• communication ability

Academic grades may still matter, but they may not be the main selection factor.

Leadership needs evidence

Many fellowship applicants describe themselves as leaders without demonstrating it.

Statements such as:

“I am a passionate and transformational leader.”

do not prove anything by themselves.

A stronger application gives an actual example.

Explain:

• what problem existed
• what responsibility you took
• what you did
• who was involved
• what changed
• what you learned

Leadership does not require a senior job title.

Starting a community project, managing a student organisation, building a business or improving a process can all demonstrate leadership when explained clearly.

Impact should be specific

Professional fellowships often want to know what difference you have made.

Avoid vague statements like:

“I helped many young people.”

Instead, explain what happened.

For example:

“I organised four application workshops for secondary-school graduates and created a guide that participants could use after the sessions.”

If genuine numbers are available, include them.

Do not invent numbers simply because quantitative results look impressive.

Future plans matter

Many fellowship programmes invest in people because they expect the experience to create future impact.

Applicants may therefore need to explain:

• what they want to achieve
• why the fellowship is necessary
• how they will use the experience
• who could benefit afterward

The strongest answer usually connects your past, present and future.

For example:

What I have already done → what I still need to learn → how this fellowship fills that gap → what I plan to do afterward

That structure is much stronger than simply saying you want international exposure.

A fellowship application should not be generic

Fellowship committees read large numbers of applications.

Generic statements become obvious quickly.

Avoid paragraphs such as:

“This prestigious fellowship will allow me to meet diverse people, broaden my horizons and become a global leader.”

Those phrases could belong to almost anyone.

Instead, explain why the specific programme matters to your work.

Mention:

• relevant training
• host institution
• research facilities
• fellowship community
• programme structure
• specific skills you want to develop

Personal story is useful when relevant

Applicants sometimes think a successful fellowship essay needs to begin with a dramatic life story.

It does not.

Use personal background when it genuinely explains:

• your motivation
• an obstacle you overcame
• your professional direction
• why a particular problem matters to you

Do not manufacture hardship.

A simple, genuine professional story can be more persuasive than an exaggerated emotional narrative.

Research proposals need a clear question

For research fellowships, the research proposal can be one of the most important parts of the application.

A good proposal should explain:

• research problem
• existing knowledge
• gap
• research question
• methodology
• expected contribution
• timeline
• feasibility

The reader should understand what you actually intend to investigate.

Avoid choosing an enormous topic that cannot realistically be completed during the fellowship.

Fellowship duration should match the project

If a fellowship supports six months of research, the proposal should be achievable within six months.

Do not design a project requiring three years of data collection.

Think carefully about:

• data access
• ethics approval
• equipment
• fieldwork
• travel
• participant recruitment
• analysis
• writing

A technically impressive proposal can still be weak if it is impossible to complete.

Your host should make sense academically

For host-based fellowships, the institution should not be selected only because of ranking.

A good host may offer:

• specialised equipment
• expertise
• datasets
• archives
• laboratory facilities
• research networks
• methods you need to learn

Explain why that environment adds something you cannot easily obtain elsewhere.

For the Humboldt Research Fellowship, applicants have considerable freedom to select a researcher at a German university or research institution, making host selection an important part of the process.

Contact potential hosts professionally

If a fellowship requires a host, your first email does not need to contain your entire life story.

A useful message usually includes:

• your name
• current institution or role
• research area
• proposed project
• why you contacted that particular researcher
• what fellowship you intend to apply for

Attach a concise CV where appropriate.

Do not send large attachments without explanation.

Most importantly, do not send the same generic message to dozens of researchers.

Publications may matter

Academic fellowship applications can ask for:

• full publication list
• selected publications
• conference papers
• research outputs
• doctoral dissertation information

For example, Humboldt requires applicants to provide a publication list as well as selected key publications as part of the research fellowship application.

Do not exaggerate your role on a publication.

If you were one of several authors, present the citation accurately.

Research integrity matters.

No publications does not always mean no chance

Publication expectations depend heavily on career stage and programme.

A fellowship for experienced postdoctoral researchers may reasonably expect a substantial research record.

A leadership fellowship for early-career professionals may not care about publications at all.

Do not judge yourself against applicants from a completely different fellowship category.

Read the selection criteria.

Recommendation letters

Fellowship references can be particularly important because programmes often invest significant funding in a relatively small number of people.

Choose referees who can discuss:

• your work
• academic ability
• research potential
• professionalism
• leadership
• character

depending on the fellowship.

Give referees enough time.

Send them:

• your CV
• fellowship description
• project summary
• submission deadline
• important selection criteria

A referee can write a stronger letter when they understand what you are applying for.

A famous referee is not automatically better

A professor who supervised your work closely may provide a much better reference than a famous academic who barely remembers you.

Fellowship committees want evidence.

A letter saying:

“I strongly recommend this excellent candidate.”

is weaker than a letter explaining what you did and why your performance stood out.

Choose relevance over prestige.

Interviews

Many competitive fellowships include interviews.

Questions can cover:

• your motivation
• research proposal
• professional experience
• leadership
• ethical challenges
• future plans
• host choice
• impact
• weaknesses in your proposal

Review your application before the interview.

You should be able to explain everything you submitted.

Do not memorise long answers word for word.

You may sound more natural if you understand the key points and answer the actual question being asked.

Be prepared to defend your project

For research fellowships, interviewers may challenge your methodology.

They may ask:

• Why this method?
• Why this sample?
• Why this host?
• Can this be completed within the fellowship?
• What happens if the data are unavailable?
• What is genuinely new?

This is not necessarily a sign that they dislike your proposal.

They may be testing whether you understand your own research design.

Fellowships can include much more than a stipend

When comparing programmes, look beyond the monthly payment.

A fellowship package can potentially include:

• stipend
• travel allowance
• health insurance
• family allowance
• relocation support
• research expenses
• language course
• conference funding
• childcare support
• accommodation

For example, the Humboldt Research Fellowship combines its monthly fellowship with additional benefits that can include family support, insurance subsidies, travel allowances and language preparation.

The entire package matters.

Large monthly amount does not automatically mean better funding

A €3,000 stipend in one country and a €2,000 stipend in another cannot be compared without considering:

• taxes
• rent
• insurance
• whether the amount is salary or fellowship funding
• family expenses
• accommodation
• other benefits

Always calculate the actual living situation.

Also check whether the fellowship amount is taxable in the host country.

Do not assume that every stipend is tax-free.

Salary and fellowship stipend are different

Some research programmes employ the researcher under an employment contract.

Others provide a fellowship or stipend.

These arrangements can affect:

• taxation
• pension contributions
• social insurance
• employment rights
• parental benefits

Applicants should read the financial conditions carefully.

The highest number on paper may not produce the highest amount available for personal spending.

Family considerations

Postdoctoral and professional fellows are often older than regular students and may have partners or children.

Before relocating, check:

• dependent visas
• health insurance
• childcare
• school costs
• family allowances
• accommodation size
• whether the fellowship supports dependants

Some programmes provide family benefits, while others fund only the fellow.

For example, Humboldt provides additional family-related support under applicable conditions.

Fellowships can require relocation

A research fellowship may require the applicant to physically move to another country.

That means the real preparation may include:

• visa
• residence permit
• accommodation
• insurance
• bank account
• tax registration
• university registration
• family relocation

Do not begin these processes before receiving the required official documents, but research them early enough to understand the likely timeline.

Visa approval is separate from fellowship selection

Being selected for a fellowship does not automatically guarantee entry into the host country.

You may still need to qualify for the relevant:

• visa
• residence permit
• researcher permit
• work authorisation

The fellowship provider or host institution may assist, but immigration authorities make the final decision under the applicable rules.

Do not resign from employment or buy non-refundable travel before understanding the immigration timeline.

Pay attention to start dates

Research fellowships can have restrictions on when the project may begin.

For example, Humboldt's new call structure links each application round with a later selection meeting and an earliest possible fellowship start date.

This matters if you are planning around:

• graduation
• current employment
• another research contract
• family commitments
• immigration processing

Read the programme timeline, not only the application deadline.

Deadlines may change when application limits are reached

Some programmes can close earlier than applicants expect.

The Humboldt Foundation's current process limits each call to a maximum number of applications, and the current round has already reached that limit.

This means applicants should not assume that they can always wait until the last advertised period to submit.

Prepare early.

Do not submit incomplete applications

Major fellowships can reject applications for formal reasons before academic review.

The Humboldt Foundation specifically warns that applications missing important documents or failing to follow required formats may be rejected without further review.

Before submission, check:

• document format
• page limits
• signatures
• references
• host documents
• certificates
• publication lists
• file names
• required fields

A strong research proposal cannot save an application that is formally incomplete.

Use page limits properly

If a programme asks for a two-page CV, submitting a six-page CV does not demonstrate greater achievement.

It demonstrates that you did not follow instructions.

Competitive fellowships often assess whether applicants can communicate complex information concisely.

Use the space strategically.

Prioritise what matters for that fellowship.

Watch the time zone

Fellowship deadlines may be stated in:

• Central European Time
• British time
• local host-country time
• UTC
• another specified time zone

For example, the 2026 MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship deadline was 9 September at 17:00 CEST.

Do not simply read “September 9” and assume you can submit until midnight in your own country.

Convert the deadline before the final day.

Submit before the final hour

Technical problems can happen.

Possible issues include:

• slow portals
• upload errors
• referee delays
• host documents not submitted
• file-format problems

The MSCA application guidance itself recommends submitting before the deadline rather than leaving the proposal until the last moment.

Finishing early also gives you time to review the application with a clearer head.

Fellowship scams

Prestigious fellowships attract fake advertisements.

Be cautious if someone offers:

• guaranteed fellowship selection
• guaranteed host acceptance
• guaranteed visa
• a fellowship slot for payment
• direct selection without the official process

Also check email domains carefully.

A message pretending to come from a famous foundation but using an unrelated Gmail address should immediately raise questions.

Applications should normally use official systems

A fellowship may be discovered through:

• The Scholarship Circle
• social media
• university mailing lists
• scholarship groups
• academic networks

But the final application should follow the instructions from the official programme provider.

For example, Humboldt requires applications through its own online system.

MSCA applications are submitted according to the European Commission's official call process.

Never send sensitive documents to a random person simply because they shared the opportunity.

Do not pay someone to invent your research proposal

Professional editing and feedback can be useful, but the intellectual content of a fellowship application should remain yours.

You should personally understand:

• your research question
• methods
• literature
• expected contribution
• timeline

If an interviewer asks why you selected a particular methodology, you need to answer it yourself.

A proposal that sounds sophisticated but cannot be defended will create problems.

Using AI responsibly

AI tools can help with tasks such as:

• brainstorming structure
• checking clarity
• identifying grammatical issues
• organising preparation

But applicants should check each programme's current rules before using AI to produce application material.

Research fellowships increasingly have policies around research integrity, authorship and generative AI.

Your application should remain accurate and genuinely represent your ideas.

Never allow a tool to invent:

• publications
• research results
• awards
• experience
• references

Rejection is common

Prestigious fellowships can be extremely competitive.

A rejection does not necessarily mean the applicant is unqualified.

It can result from:

• competition
• project fit
• limited funding
• host fit
• proposal weaknesses
• strategic priorities

Where feedback is available, use it.

Improve the proposal and consider whether another fellowship may fit your profile better.

Do not build your entire plan around one fellowship

Apply strategically to several suitable opportunities when possible.

For a researcher, that might include:

• Humboldt
• MSCA
• university fellowships
• national research council funding
• research institute positions

The applications should still be tailored.

Sending one proposal unchanged to every programme is rarely effective because evaluation criteria differ.

Keep a fellowship tracker

Maintain a simple record containing:

• fellowship name
• provider
• country
• target group
• funding
• duration
• host requirement
• deadline
• references
• documents
• application status
• result

This is especially useful because fellowships often involve several people, such as hosts and referees.

A missed referee deadline can destroy an otherwise complete application.

What applicants should check before applying

Before applying for a fellowship, confirm:

• target career stage
• eligible nationality or residence
• degree requirement
• professional experience requirement
• mobility restrictions
• host requirement
• fellowship duration
• monthly funding
• research expenses
• travel support
• insurance
• family support
• visa requirements
• required references
• application deadline
• deadline time zone
• earliest start date

For research fellowships, also check whether you need a completed PhD before applying or only before the fellowship begins.

How to use the fellowship listings below

The opportunities listed below are categorised as fellowships available through The Scholarship Circle.

Because fellowships are so diverse, do not assume every listing is suitable simply because it appears under this category.

Open the individual opportunity and check:

• whether it is academic or professional
• who can apply
• whether a host is required
• funding
• duration
• destination
• application requirements
• official deadline

Then verify the information through the official programme provider.

Final advice

Fellowships can provide opportunities that go far beyond paying tuition.

They can give researchers access to specialised institutions, allow professionals to develop leadership skills and help academics build international collaborations.

But the category is extremely broad.

The most important first question is not:

“Is this fully funded?”

It is:

“What is this fellowship designed to support, and am I actually part of its target group?”

For researchers, programmes such as the Humboldt Research Fellowship and MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships demonstrate how competitive international fellowships combine funding with research mobility, host collaboration and career development. The Humboldt programme currently provides €3,000 per month for postdocs and €3,600 for experienced researchers, while its next application call is scheduled to open on 15 November 2026.

The 2026 MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships call closed on 9 September 2026 after offering €399.05 million in funding, so applicants interested in a future round should follow the official MSCA announcements for the next call rather than relying on the expired 2026 deadline.

Use the fellowship listings below to discover opportunities that fit your career stage, then verify eligibility, funding and application procedures directly with the official provider.

Last reviewed: September 10, 2026