Gerda Henkel Foundation
Research Scholarships (Forschungsstipendien): €2,760/month for postdoctoral researchers (after completing the doctorate), €3,720/month for habilitated scholars (both include family allowances: €480 for the first child, €120 for each additional child). Small/short-term group projects can use a simplified procedure for up to €30,000; larger group research projects (covering personnel, travel and materials costs) may reach a total budget of up to €250,000.
Researchers from any country may apply, regardless of citizenship or place of work (including researchers based in Uzbekistan), but only within the field of “historical humanities” — archaeology, history, art history, legal history, prehistory and early history, Islamic history, and history of science — and only if they already hold a PhD or an equivalent qualification (habilitation). Doctoral candidates cannot apply on their own (only through the separate “Promotionsförderung” programme).
Applications are submitted online via the official website gerda-henkel-stiftung.de (under the “Forschungsstipendien” / “Forschungsprojekte” sections) by the fixed twice-yearly deadlines.
Periodic
Fixed deadlines apply twice a year (typically in May and November); the next deadline is 20 November 2026 (for the Foundation's spring 2027 committee meeting). IMPORTANT UPDATE: as of 1 July 2026, the simplified any-time application procedure for individual research scholarships (“Forschungsstipendien”) has been discontinued — applications under this track are now accepted only within the two fixed annual deadlines. A simplified fast-track review remains available for smaller group research projects (up to €30,000).
TWAS + UNESCO
TWAS covers travel costs to the host centre of excellence and provides a monthly allowance of USD 300 for local living expenses; the host centre covers accommodation, meals and research infrastructure. Associateship status is granted for a 3-year term, during which the associate may visit the centre twice (2-3 months each visit); the term may be renewed for a further 3-year period if funds permit.
OeAD — Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
The grant provides a stipend of EUR 1,300 per month during the research stay in Austria, plus assistance with accommodation and health insurance. Grant duration ranges from 1 to 9 months and cannot be extended.
European Commission
The total budget of a consortium project can range from several hundred thousand to several million euros. Under the Widening Participation instruments (Teaming, Twinning, ERA Chairs), a partner organisation may receive over €100,000; the exact amount depends on the terms of the specific call.