The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation welcomes 74 top international researchers from 25 countries as part of the new “1000 People Plus” programme. The programme, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, enables additional funding for the first time: 66 Humboldt Research Fellowships, five Humboldt Research Awards and three Bessel Research Awards. The scholarship recipients come from Chile, China, Canada and the USA, among others.

The additional funds will enable the foundation to respond to the high demand and numerous outstanding applications. Further selections will follow in the coming months, and additional formats and programme lines are to be implemented from 2026.

The program, which was launched in July 2025, offers international researchers at various career levels a safe space for academic freedom and prospects in Germany. It strengthens the research location and drives the high-tech agenda forward. The initiative is based on offers from the Humboldt Foundation, the German Research Foundation and the German Academic Exchange Service.

The Federal Minister emphasises that the scholarship recipients enrich the German science system with their expertise and strengthen international competitiveness. The high demand underlines the attractiveness of the programme and the advantages of the academic freedom anchored in Germany.

The president of the foundation emphasizes the variety of reasons for applications, including academic freedom, attractiveness of the location and international cooperation. The flexible offers enable temporary stays and long-term cooperation.

Grantees report on Germany’s leading role in areas such as magnetic resonance imaging and industry-academia partnerships that promote independent thinking and interdisciplinary work. Other motives include the importance of academic freedom for ethical research, access to modern facilities, and the possibility of working protected from political interference in other countries. Proximity to sources and contacts as well as the opportunity to solve environmental problems in cooperation also play a role.

The Humboldt Research Fellowship supports postdocs and experienced researchers in projects in Germany for up to 24 months with lifelong alumni measures. The Humboldt Research Award honours international executives with 80,000 euros and a research stay. The Bessel Research Award honors top young researchers with 60,000 euros and a stay.

Every year, the foundation enables more than 2000 researchers from all over the world to spend time in Germany and maintains a network of more than 30,000 members in over 140 countries, including 63 Nobel Prize winners.

PREVIEW: The German Congress of Laboratory Medicine (DKLM) 2025 promises exciting insights into the interface between science and clinical practice. Under the motto “Science for Precision Medicine”, the German Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL) and the Umbrella Association for Technologists and Analysts in Medicine Germany (DVTA) invite experts from research, clinics and industry to meet on October 23 and 24 at the Congress Center Leipzig (CCL). The two-day event is aimed at laboratory physicians, biomedical analysts and decision-makers to discuss current advances in diagnostics and strengthen networks. The ceremonial opening of the congress will take place on 22 October with the presentation of the MedLabAwards in the Salles de Pologne.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

Gender Notice. The personal designations used in this text always refer equally to female, male and diverse persons. Double/triple naming and gendered designations are used for better readability. ected.