Guide

Humboldt Fellowship Deadlines 2027: Three Calls, a Hard Cap, No Fixed Closing Date

There is no classic deadline any more. Each call opens on a fixed date and shuts when 800 applications arrive. Here is the 2026–2027 calendar and how to plan backwards from it.

ScholarshipUnion Editorial 3 min read Updated Oct 6, 2026

The Humboldt Research Fellowship used to accept applications at any time. Since 2026 it runs three calls a year, matching the three selection meetings. Every date on this page comes from the official programme page, checked on 6 October 2026.

The standing call schedule

Call opens	For the selection meeting	Earliest start of fellowship
15 March	November (same year)	February (following year)
15 July	March (following year)	May (following year)
15 November	July (following year)	September (following year)

Each call opens about eight months before its meeting. There is no published closing date. A call closes when it reaches the cap of 800 applications (the foundation says “currently”, so the number could change).

The 2026–2027 calendar with real dates

Call	Status on 6 Oct 2026	Selection meeting	Earliest start
15 March 2026	Closed	November 2026	February 2027
15 July 2026	Full — cap reached	March 2027	May 2027
15 November 2026	Opens next	July 2027	September 2027
15 March 2027 (expected)	Standing schedule	November 2027	February 2028
15 July 2027 (expected)	Standing schedule	March 2028	May 2028

The 2026 dates are published explicitly. The 2027 rows follow the foundation’s standing schedule (“15 March … 15 July … 15 November”); confirm them on the official page before planning around them.

A full call means wait

When we checked on 6 October 2026 the July 2026 call had already hit 800 applications and the portal showed: “no new applications can be created at present. The next call will open on November 15, 2026.” The foundation does not publish how fast each call fills, but by our check the July call was full less than three months after it opened. Have everything ready on the day a call opens.

What happens to a draft when a call closes

If you already started an application when the cap is reached, you can save it and keep working on it, but you cannot submit until the next call opens. Your host, if they have already received the file, can keep working on their part too.

The foundation also protects you on eligibility: if you could not submit before the portal closed, your application counts as received on the closing date — as long as you submit no more than 14 days after the next call opens. That matters if you are near the 4- or 12-year limit or the 90-day Germany rule.

From submission to decision

1
Day 0
You submit; your host is notified
The host gets a link to your file and must upload a statement and confirmation of facilities. Until they do, the foundation has not received your application.
2
4–8 weeks
Formal and completeness check
Ineligible files are rejected. Complete files get a proposed selection date. Ambiguities usually push the decision to the next meeting.
3
About 3–6 months
Peer review
Usually two independent reviewers, or a peer-circle panel in some disciplines.
4
March, July or November
Selection meeting
The committee votes. Applicants and hosts are emailed in the days after the meeting.
5
About 4 weeks later
Grant documents
Return the online acceptance form within four weeks of receiving them.
6
2–12 months after selection
Fellowship starts
Usually at least two months after approval (three if you need a visa), and no later than 12 months, preceded by a language course if you want one.

Planning backwards for a September 2027 start

When	What to do
Now – October 2026	Shortlist hosts; send first emails with a one-page project idea. Ask two expert reviewers early.
October – early November 2026	Agree the outline and length of stay with your host. Prepare the 2-page CV and publication lists in the foundation’s sample format.
Before 15 November 2026	Start the online form, send reviewers their upload links, and warn your host the statement request is coming.
15 November 2026 onward	Submit as soon as both reviews are in. Chase your host’s upload — the file is not received until they finish.
July 2027	Selection meeting. Decision by email shortly after.
From September 2027	Earliest start (later starts allowed up to 12 months after selection).

The programme information PDF (January 2026) still advises submitting four to seven months before the selection date. Under the call system, the practical rule is simpler: be ready to submit on the opening day.