Einstein Visiting Fellow

This programme gives renowned scientists from abroad the opportunity to cooperate with a Berlin host to set up their own research group. In contrast to typical visiting fellows who stay at an institution for one term, the goal of the Einstein Visiting Fellowship is to integrate researchers into Berlin’s science community on a sustainable basis. The programme thus enables the Berlin universities and Charité – Universitätsmedizin to establish long-term  collaborations with the Einstein Visiting Fellow’s home institution. 

Information & Forms

Eligibility

Clusters of Excellence, Einstein Centers, Einstein Research Units, DFG Research Training Groups, and Collaborative Research Centers if the funding period set out in the proposal does not exceed the duration of their current funding period. The eligibility of entities that are not (or are no longer) receiving third-party funding, or whose focus is creative or artistic, is judged on a case-by-case basis.

Funding period

Up to four years

Volume

Up to €750,000

Forms

Programme information

Application form

Budget plan

Budget plan attachment

Reporting form

Code for funding recipients

Guidelines on Equal Opportunity, Diversity, and Career Support

FAQs about the "Einstein Visiting Fellow"

Yes, if they live abroad and have been engaged in research outside of Germany for five years or longer. 

In addition to Fellow and host, the group must consist of at least two persons engaged in research (excluding student assistants) for the entire funding period. The group members do not have to be funded fully or partially by the Einstein Foundation. Members of the working group have to be allocated at least 75% FTE positions. Scholarships may only be funded in exceptional cases requiring separate justification and authorization from the Einstein Foundation. 

No, as long as this does not impact their research activities.

Compensation is based on the host institution’s regulations for visiting scholars. Please note that the compensation cannot be used to substitute the Fellow’s salary at their home institution. Also, the Fellow’s compensation must not exceed 10% of the total funding assigned to the project. 

As a rule, all positions in the working group need to be advertised. It is not possible to transfer an entire group to Berlin. 

Please contact the Einstein Foundation in good time; the head office judges eligibility on a case-by-case basis. In any case, the application must address the likely development of the research focus in the event that the unit is not renewed.

Fellowships which have been assigned funding for three years in line with the programme guidelines in place until the end of 2022 may apply for a two-year extension. For this extension, up to €330,000 can be released to fund staff positions and directly incurred expenses. Please find the previous programme information leaflet and the application form for extensions on the site Information for Grantees.