Education Level: Postdoctoral, Country: Germany

For international postdoctoral fellows who want to do their teaching and research activities in collaboration with professors at the University of Bonn in Germany. The good news is that there is a fellowship programme known as the Bonn SDG Fellowships which can cover various expenses during their stay at the University of Bonn. Of course, you need to meet eligibility conditions as outlined in this article.

Also check: Google PhD Fellowship Program

Regarding the goal of the funding line, through this fellowship programme, tenured faculty (in the rank of professor) at the University of Bonn can send invitation to international postdoctoral fellows for a joint research project on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as set forth by the United Nations in its Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. The scientists should research and teach together with a professor from the University of Bonn for a period of 1 or 2 semesters.

Concerning the Special Regional Focus, the University of Bonn currently has a large number of collaborations with research institutes and universities in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. As shown by the SDG index, implementing the Sustainable Development Goals poses considerable challenges for several countries in such regions. Based on the 17th Sustainable Development Goal, “Partnerships for the Goals,” researchers in the above-mentioned regions are preferable for the Bonn SDG Fellowships. The goal is to support talented researchers and build and strengthen networks through them.

The funding is for a period of at least three and not more than twelve months.

Related: German Chancellor Fellowship

Benefits

The Bonn SDG Fellowships can cover the following:

❶ A scholarship of € 3,000 per month (additional funds for family members: up to € 300 for a spouse and € 250 per child)

❷ A research expense fees of up to € 500 per month can be submitted to the International Office after the fellowship has been offered. Information on application for the allowance will be provided with your fellowship award.

❸ Travel expenses (depending on country of origin)

It is important to note that insurance benefits are not covered by the scholarship, the International Office cannot provide housing for recipients of the scholarship, and that the funding is for a period of at least three and not more than twelve months. During the calculation of costs, please note the instructions in the financing plan (and use this Excel table, download here).

See also: Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2022-2023

Eligibility Criteria

The Bonn SDG Fellowships are offered to Post-doctoral researchers (with foreign citizenship) who are invited by a professor of the University of Bonn for a joint research project. The fellow should have a long-term affiliation (teach or research) at a university or research institute in the above-mentioned regions beyond her/his fellowship and demonstrate proven expertise in an area of research from the thematic spectrum of the SDGs.

Project proposals for the Bonn SDG Fellowships are evaluated in 2 categories:

❶ Academic Quality and Mutual Benefit (50%): quality of the research project to be worked on during the stay in Bonn; work on a topic  contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as set forth by the United Nations in its Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development; relevance of the research topic to developments in the region of origin; fellow’s integration into the host institute (place of work, integration into existing teaching and research activities); and fellow’s contribution to academic life in Bonn (e.g. via public lectures, colloquiums or seminars).

❷ Strategic Relevance and Potential for Future Cooperation (50%): plans for long-term research relationships between the host institute in Bonn and the fellow and; how the research will be shared with broader academic communities; connection to Bonn’s research profile; Intensity of the existing cooperation.

In case 2 proposals score the same, the category “Academic Quality and Mutual Benefit” will be given priority.

Read also: The PASIFIC Fellowship Programme

Selection Process

Concerning the selection of submitted proposals for the Bonn SDG Fellowships. There will be :

❶ Pre-assessment: anonymous by independent experts from the University of Bonn

❷ Final decision: a committee made up of representatives from all of University of Bonn’s faculties will discuss the shortlist and select the fellowships.

► Depending on the requested amounts, up to 5 projects can be funded

► Approval rate 2021: 35 proposals, 3 grants

Check also: International Fellowships

Important Dates

The closing date to apply for the Bonn SDG Fellowships for funding commencing at the earliest in January, and no later than July 2023 is on May 01, 2022. The application has to be submitted by a full-time professor at the University of Bonn together with the fellow.

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Further Information and Before Applying

Candidates who are interested in the Bonn SDG Fellowships can learn more about the required documents, the application procedure and eligibility criteria among others by visiting the Official Website.