Gerda Henkel Research Scholarship 2026 – Historical Humanities

Scholarship Description

The Gerda Henkel Research Scholarship is a prestigious funding programme offered by the Gerda Henkel Foundation to support outstanding postdoctoral researchers in the Historical Humanities. The Foundation focuses on Archaeology, History, Historical Islamic Studies, Art History, History of Law, Prehistory and Early History, and History of Science. Applications from neighbouring disciplines are possible if the core research question is historically oriented.

The Gerda Henkel Foundation was established in 1976 and is one of Germany's major private foundations dedicated to promoting research in the historical humanities. The Foundation supports excellent researchers regardless of their nationality or location. No institutional affiliation is required to apply for a research scholarship.

Research scholarships finance the applicant's own working hours (personal scholarship) for a period of one to 24 months. Travel and material expenses may be requested in addition. The Foundation offers two levels of funding: for Postdocs (PhD received within the last 10 years) and for scholars with Post Doctoral Lecture Qualification (habilitation or equivalent).

Scholarship Location

The scholarship is tenable worldwide. Applicants may conduct their research at any location of their choice, including archives, libraries, museums, universities, or research institutions. No institutional affiliation is required. The Foundation provides an overseas bonus for scholars spending more than four weeks abroad for research purposes.

Scholarship Deadline

The Foundation committees meet twice a year to consider applications. The next application deadline is:

Host Institution

The Gerda Henkel Foundation – one of Germany's major private foundations dedicated to promoting research in the historical humanities. The Foundation is based in Düsseldorf, Germany, but supports researchers worldwide.

Level and Fields of Study

Level: Postdoctoral Research (full-time scholarships only).

Eligible Fields (Historical Humanities):

• Archaeology
• History
• Historical Islamic Studies
• Art History
• History of Law
• Prehistory and Early History
• History of Science

Neighbouring disciplines are possible if the core research question is historically oriented. The Foundation does not support projects in modern history after 1945 unless they have a clear historical perspective and are of exceptional academic merit.

Target Group

The scholarship supports postdoctoral researchers from all countries. Support does not depend on the applicant's nationality or location. No institutional affiliation is necessary. The Foundation distinguishes between:

• Postdocs – applicants who received their PhD within the last 10 years
• Scholars with Post Doctoral Lecture Qualification – applicants with habilitation or equivalent academic standing (e.g., tenured professor, associate professor, senior lecturer, reader, or positively evaluated junior professor)

Scholarship Duration & Amount

Duration: Minimum 1 month, maximum 24 months (full-time only).

Monthly Scholarship Rates (effective from 1 January 2024):

Research Scholarships for Postdocs:

• Monthly scholarship award: €2,760
• Family grant: €480 for first child, €120 for each additional child (children under 18)
• Monthly endowment for scholarships abroad: €690
• Travel aid: as required
• Material aid: as required

Research Scholarships after Post Doctoral Lecture Qualification (Habilitation or equivalent):

• Monthly scholarship award: €3,720
• Family grant: €480 for first child, €120 for each additional child (children under 18)
• Monthly endowment for scholarships abroad: €930
• Travel aid: as required
• Material aid: as required

Additional benefits: Student assistant support may be requested within the project cost calculation.

Scholarship Eligibility

General eligibility:

• Support does not depend on the applicant's nationality or location.
• No institutional affiliation is necessary.
• The applicant must hold a PhD or a formal second academic qualification (habilitation or equivalent).
• Only full-time scholarships are available.
• A scholarship cannot be granted if the person is also receiving a salary or drawing a pension.

For Postdoc applicants (PhD within last 10 years):

• The PhD must have been awarded not more than ten years earlier (date on the doctoral diploma). Periods of absence (parental leave, caring responsibilities, professional training) are factored in on a general basis.
• The dissertation must already have been published at the time of application (full monograph, print or digital). Publishing contracts are not sufficient.
• The research project must differ clearly from the topic of the PhD thesis.
• Any prior Gerda Henkel Foundation research scholarship must have been granted at least five years earlier.
• The last rejected application must have been submitted at least three years earlier.
• Projects that the Foundation has already rejected may not be re-submitted.

For scholars with Post Doctoral Lecture Qualification (habilitation or equivalent):

• The PhD publication and 10-year restriction do not apply.
• The research project must differ clearly from prior work.
• Same waiting periods apply for previous funding or rejections (5 years for previous scholarship, 3 years for rejected application).

What is considered equivalent to habilitation? In higher education systems without a formal second qualification, the Foundation regards the holding of a permanent (tenured) professorship or other permanent higher education teaching position at a mid-level or senior rank (e.g., Associate/Full/Distinguished Professor, Senior Lecturer, Reader, Professor) as equivalent. A positively evaluated junior professorship is also recognised as equivalent.

Application Procedure

1. Check eligibility – Ensure you meet the criteria for your applicant category (Postdoc or Post Doctoral Lecture Qualification).
2. Prepare application documents (in German or English):
   • Description of the research proposal (max. 8 pages, font size at least 11, line spacing 1.5) – plus bibliography if necessary (not included in page limit)
   • Time schedule and working plan – including information about necessary travel to archives, libraries, museums, or other destinations
   • Detailed cost calculation – all costs in euros (travel, local transportation, lodging, material costs, scholarships, allowances). No flat-rate daily allowances or hotel expenses
   • Tabular curriculum vitae with list of publications
   • Copies of academic certificates (Master's, PhD, professorship, etc. – do not send Bachelor certificates)
   • One letter of recommendation (maximum two) – must be uploaded via the online recommendation form by the referee, with personal signature
3. Complete the electronic application form – Available on the Gerda Henkel Foundation website. Complete the form in one session (recommended). You can reopen and continue editing for ten days via a personal link.
4. Upload all documents as PDF files – Each file max. 6 MB. One document per upload field. Do not upload protected PDF documents.
5. Submit before the deadline – 20 November 2026 for the spring 2027 committee meeting. For smaller funding amounts (max. €30,000), applications can be submitted at any time (simplified procedure, 3–4 months deliberation).
6. Wait for decision – The Foundation committees meet twice a year (spring and autumn). Successful applicants are notified after the committee meeting.
7. Accept the scholarship – Send a signed letter of acceptance with bank details and desired start date.

Important notes:

• Simultaneous applications to more than one of the Foundation's funding programmes are not permitted.
• Incomplete submissions will not be considered and will be put back to the next selection round.
• The Foundation does not provide detailed reasons for rejecting applications due to the high number of applications and reviewer confidentiality.
• The use of generative AI is permitted but must be documented transparently in the application form. The complete preparation of an application using AI without your own academic review and control is not permitted.

Official Website & Application Links

Gerda Henkel Foundation – Research Scholarships Official Page

Contact: [email protected]

Programme Lead (Research Scholarships): Thomas Podranski, M.A.

Project Manager: Oleg Golberg

Phone (Foundation office): +49 (0)211 7970