University of Bonn SDG Fellowship in Germany 2026

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About University of Bonn SDG Fellowship

The Bonn SDG Fellowship Program offers a prestigious opportunity to conduct groundbreaking research aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This program fosters international collaboration, supports cutting-edge research, and strengthens academic networks across continents.

What is the goal of the funding line?

Through this fellowship program, tenured faculty (in the rank of professor) at the University of Bonn can invite 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 one or two semesters.

Special Regional Focus

The University of Bonn currently has a large number of collaborations with universities and research institutes in Africa, Asia and Latin America. As shown by the SDG index, implementing the Sustainable Development Goals poses considerable challenges for many countries in these regions. Based on the 17th Sustainable Development Goal, “Partnerships for the Goals,” researchers in the above-mentioned regions are given preference 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 3 and not more than 12 months.

• School: University of Bonn

Benefits of University of Bonn SDG Fellowship

The funding can cover the following:

• A travel allowance (depending on country of origin)
• A scholarship of €3,000 per month (additional funds for family members: up to €300 for a spouse and €250 per child)
• A research expense allowance of up to €500 per month.

Insurance benefits are not included in the scholarship.

Please note that the International Office cannot provide housing for scholarship recipients.

The funding is for a period of at least 3 and not more than 12 months. When calculating costs please note the instructions in the financing plan (Excel file, download here).

University of Bonn SDG Fellowship Requirements

Who is eligible for funding?

Post-doctoral researchers (with foreign citizenship) invited by a professor of the University of Bonn for a joint research project. The fellow should have a long-term affiliation (research or teach) 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.

Please note that they cannot match and establish contact between interested fellows and faculty at the University of Bonn.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on two key categories:

1. Academic Quality and Mutual Benefit (50%)

• Research Quality: Does the project address key SDG challenges?
• Relevance to the Region of Origin: How does the research help solve local challenges?
• Academic Contribution to Bonn: Will the fellow engage with the university through lectures or workshops?
• Integration into the Host Institute: Is there a clear collaboration plan with the host professor?

2. Strategic Relevance and Potential for Future Cooperation (50%)

• Existing Collaboration: Has the fellow worked with the University of Bonn before?
• Plans for Long-Term Partnerships: Does the proposal outline a strategy for ongoing cooperation?
• Alignment with Bonn’s Research Profile:How does the research fit within the university’s priorities?
• Dissemination of Findings: How will the research be shared with the academic community?

 

Application Date and Process

1. Find a Host Professor: Contact a tenured professor at the University of Bonn whose research aligns with your expertise.
2. Develop a Research Proposal: Work closely with your host professor to draft a compelling proposal.
3. Submit the Application: The professor submits the application along with supporting documents.

What does the application include?

• Online form
• Project description (PDF of max. 8 pages), consisting of:

1. Abstract of the proposed project (up to 250 words)
2. Outline of the research project to be worked on during the fellow’s stay in Bonn; please write your proposal for a multidisciplinary audience
3. Reasons for the fellow’s invitation and a description of his or her contribution to research and teaching at the University of Bonn, an outline of the activities through which the fellow will enrich university life at the University of Bonn during his or her stay there
4. An overview of the collaboration between the applicant and the fellow so far
5. An outline of the integration of the fellow into the host institute (place of work, participation in teaching and research activities)
6. An outline of follow-on value: (a) plan for the outcome of the stay, (b) plan for growing the collaboration in the future.

• Fellow’s CV (PDF)
• A financing plan (please use the following Excel file, download here)

4.Evaluation Process:

• • Pre-assessment: Anonymous review by independent experts.
  • Final Decision: A university-wide committee selects successful candidates.

Application Deadline

31 March, 2025

Scholarship Application Portal

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