Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowships ”To Germany and Back”, UoM, 10 November, 2009 Associate Professor Trevor Finlayson Honorary Principal Fellow School of Physics & Australian Association of von Humboldt Fellows

Who was Alexander von Humboldt? greatest geographer of modern age natural philosopher humanitarian botanist astronomer explorer “The most renowned scientist worldwide in the first half of the 19 th Century” “The last of the greats” Die Ansichten der Natur (Prospects of Nature) Der Cosmos (The Cosmos)

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation 1860 – First funding for “emerging talent” 1923 – Suspension in economic depression 1925 – Formal AvH Foundation by German Foreign Ministry (fellowships for foreign nationals) – Suspension 1953 – Refounding (Heisenberg (President )) 1965 – Postdoctoral fellowships 1975–79 - Feodor Lynen (President) 1979 – Feodor Lynen Research Fellowships 1983 – Formation of regional associations (AAvHFs) “To grant research awards to academically-trained persons of foreign nationality, without regard to gender, race, or ideology, to enable them to carry out research in Germany and to maintain resultant academic contacts”

AvH Foundation Sponsorship Humboldt Research Award Fellowship for Experienced Researchers Fellowship for Postdoctoral Researchers Extension/Renewal of Fellowship

Humboldt Research Award award in recognition of academic achievements to date awardee expected to continue “cutting edge” research achievements eminent foreign researcher at peak of academic career one year in Germany, cooperating on long- term project award valued at €60,000 up to 100 such awards, annually

Fellowship for Experienced Researchers PhD completed less than 12 years ago 6–18 months in Germany open to any nationality and discipline selected German host, in cooperation with whom application is made time in Germany flexible – can be divided into three stays €2,440 per month research costs (€800/mth (science & engineering), €500/mth (humanities & social sciences)) German language course (2 months) and also for marital partner travel expenses, dependents’ allowances (€326/mth for marital partner, €204/mth for each child) up to 600 fellowships, annually (also includes postdocs)

Fellowship for Postdoctoral Researchers PhD completed during last four years 6–24 months in Germany open to any nationality and discipline selected German host, in cooperation with whom application is made €2,250 per month research costs (€800/mth (science & engineering), €500/mth (humanities & social sciences)) German language course (2 months) and also for marital partner travel expenses, dependents’ allowances (€326/mth for marital partner, €204/mth for each child) up to 600 fellowships, annually

Comments from Recent AvH Postdoc AvHF (2007-9) + Extension + Univ of Karlsruhe postdoc remuneration good cf German salary for first-year PhD AvH tour of Germany interesting and a “lot of fun” German research conditions excellent with “lots of money, many conferences and opportunities” AvH postdoc in Germany considered favourably by future employers potential problems for ones spouse/partner since Germany can be “a lonely place” when one is not employed no problems with “limited German language” in University but not so for wife in daily life “A robust scientific discussion in Germany would be called a fight in Australia but there will be no grudges afterwards.” Dr. Jared Cole (Physics) – University of Karlsruhe

Concluding Remark “Being an Humboldtian is something special. That is why we care for every one of you individually and flexibly. We want you and the family accompanying you to feel at home in Germany so that you are able to focus completely on your work.”

Thank you for your attention! Questions? ”To Germany and Back”, UoM, 10 November,