Applications are open for the Senckenberg Global Fellowships, an international research opportunity designed to support highly motivated and talented early-career scientists from the Global South. The programme welcomes doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers who want to undertake high-quality research in collaboration with a scientific host at Senckenberg in Germany. The fellowships are offered for three to six months and aim to strengthen international research cooperation, expand global scientific networks and promote the exchange of knowledge. Fellows gain access to Senckenberg’s extensive research infrastructure, collections, laboratories, libraries and scientific expertise. The current application period runs from 1 September 2026 to 1 October 2026, with applications closing at 12:00 CET on 1 October 2026. What Are the Senckenberg Global Fellowships? The Senckenberg Global Fellowships provide early-career researchers from eligible Global South countries with an opportunity to conduct research in Germany alongside scientists at Senckenberg. The programme is intended for researchers who have a strong project idea that can be implemented together with a scientific host at one of Senckenberg’s research institutions. The fellowship seeks to promote excellent research while creating opportunities for international collaboration and knowledge exchange. Fellows can work with researchers across fields including biodiversity, anthropology, geology, collection-based research, genomics and conservation ecology. Who Can Apply? The programme is specifically aimed at doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers from the Global South. Applicants must identify their current education and professional position and indicate whether they are applying for a PhD or postdoctoral fellowship. The application form accepts candidates with a Master’s or PhD/Dr. qualification, depending on the fellowship category. Eligible applicants must also meet the programme’s Global South requirement. Senckenberg follows the OECD’s list of countries belonging to the Global South for the purposes of the fellowship. The application form includes a wide range of eligible nationalities, including researchers from countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania and many others. Researchers with permanent residence in Germany, EU countries, North America, Australia and similar locations are not eligible, regardless of their nationality. Fellowship Duration and Categories Applicants can apply for different fellowship arrangements depending on their research status and project requirements. Available options include: PhD Fellowship for three months PhD Fellowship of up to six months, where the longer period is essential to the project Postdoctoral Fellowship for three months Postdoctoral Fellowship of up to six months, where justified by the research project Travel expenses Applicants requesting a fellowship of up to six months must explain why the extended period is essential for the proposed project. Research Facilities and Host Institutions One of the major attractions of the Senckenberg Global Fellowship is access to the organisation’s extensive research infrastructure. Fellows can access millions of scientific collection objects, research laboratories, libraries and other research infrastructure. The programme provides an environment where researchers can work alongside scientific staff with expertise across multiple disciplines. Applicants can potentially be hosted at several Senckenberg locations, including: Senckenberg am Meer in Wilhelmshaven; Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre in Frankfurt; Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment in Tübingen; Senckenberg German Entomological Institute in Müncheberg; Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum in Frankfurt; Senckenberg Museum of Natural History in Görlitz; and Senckenberg Natural History Collections in Dresden. What Does the Application Require? Applicants must prepare several important documents and secure support from a scientific host at Senckenberg. The application includes a CV, the certificate of the highest degree, and, where applicable, a doctorate certificate for postdoctoral applicants. A letter of support from the scientific host at Senckenberg is mandatory. The host must explain how the proposed research fits within the Senckenberg research landscape, complements the expertise of the host group and adds value to the organisation and the wider research field. Applicants must also provide a motivation letter and project plan, each limited to 4,000 characters in the online application form. The proposed project should explain its goals, implementation and contribution to the applicant’s research portfolio and development. Selection Criteria Applications are evaluated by a scientific selection committee composed of renowned scientists from the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung. The selection process considers three main criteria: The scientific potential to achieve the objectives of the proposed project; The scientific excellence of the proposed work; and The prospects of developing a follow-up project and securing additional funding. The selection process takes approximately eight weeks after the application deadline. Travel, Funding and Fellowship Conditions The programme does not state a fixed stipend amount in the provided application information. However, travel costs are reimbursed up to a maximum of €1,200 after arrival in Germany. Researchers whose travel costs exceed this amount must secure alternative funding for the difference. Applicants must also confirm that they are not receiving parallel project funding during the fellowship period, as Senckenberg aims to prevent double funding. Once approved, fellows must begin their fellowship within three months. Visa processing delays may qualify for exceptional arrangements, but applicants are advised to plan their timelines carefully. Application Deadline and How to Apply The current application period is 1 September 2026 to 1 October 2026, with the deadline stated as 12:00 CET on 1 October 2026. Interested researchers should complete the online application form, select the appropriate fellowship category, identify a suitable Senckenberg host and upload the required documents. Candidates are encouraged to discuss their proposed research project and desired fellowship period with their scientific host before submitting the application. Final Thoughts The Senckenberg Global Fellowships offer promising doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers from the Global South an opportunity to expand their research experience through international collaboration in Germany. With access to major natural history collections, laboratories, libraries and specialist scientific expertise, the programme can provide an important platform for researchers working in biodiversity, conservation, genomics, anthropology, geology and related fields. Researchers who meet the eligibility requirements and have a strong research proposal developed with a Senckenberg host should prepare their applications early and submit them before the 1 October 2026 deadline. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding. JOIN GSO WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW