Wilhelm und Else Heraeus Research Fellowships

The Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Foundation awards up to five Research Fellowships each year with the aim of supporting the research of young scientists in the field of physics. The two-year fellowships of 100,000 euros are awarded to outstanding researchers at an early stage of their careers who are distinguished by their creativity, innovation and research achievements as the next generation of leaders and have the potential to significantly advance their field. The funds are freely available for research activities, but not for their own salaries.

Nomination requirements

• Researchers must hold a doctorate in physics or a related subject area, with a maximum of six years' experience.
• Researchers must be employed at a university or non-university research institution in Germany for the duration of the fellowship and have career prospects in Germany.
• Researchers must not hold a permanent professorship on 1 October of the year of nomination.

Nomination

Candidates must be nominated by a dean of a university or the board of directors of a non-university research institution. Self-nominations are not possible.

Required documents

• A letter of nomination describing the researcher's achievements to date and outlining future development prospects.
• Curriculum vitae including a list of all scientific publications and presentations as well as naming three representative publications that emphasise independent research.

Nominations in German or English (one pdf file) should be sent to the Foundation's Managing Director Dr Stefan Jorda, jorda(at)we-heraeus-stiftung.de, by 31 May 2026.