by German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina (Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina) · Global research institutions outside the applicant's home country (or within Germany for foreign applicants)
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
🏆 Fully Funded🟩 Active🎓 Postdoctoral🌍 Germany📌 Merit-based / Research Fellowship
Monthly basic stipend (approx. €1,750 to €2,300) plus host-country specific purchasing power adjustment
Duration
12 to 24 months
Deadline
Applications accepted year-round; Selection committee meets four times per year
Level
Postdoctoral
Acceptance
Varies (Estimated 15-25%)
Difficulty
High
Quick Summary
Leopoldina Postdoctoral Stipend (Leopoldina-Postdoc-Stipendium), administered by German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina (Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina), is one of the funding options available to early-career postdoctoral researchers in Germany. The award covers Provides a comprehensive monthly stipend adjusted for local costs, travel expenses, research material costs, and family/childcare supplements. and is open to postdoctoral students studying natural sciences, medicine, history of science, and related interdisciplinary fields. The scholarship runs for 12 to 24 months. Eligibility is generally based on targeted at early-career scientists (within 7 years of PhD) from DACH countries for international research or international scientists for German research, with exceptional publication records. The application deadline is Applications accepted year-round; Selection committee meets four times per year, with an acceptance rate of approximately Varies (Estimated 15-25%). Applicants are encouraged to review the official eligibility criteria carefully before starting their application.
✨ Should I Apply for Leopoldina Postdoctoral Stipend (Leopoldina-Postdoc-Stipendium)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
72%
Eligibility Match
18%
Win Probability
7/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
30-45 hrs
Time Required
Competitive
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Monthly basic stipend (approx. €1,750 to €2,300) plus host-country specific purchasing power adjustment
⏳
Duration
12 to 24 months
📅
Deadline
Applications accepted year-round; Selection committee meets four times per year
🔬
Fields
Natural Sciences, Medicine, History of Science, and related interdisciplinary fields
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 30 to 40 stipends per year
🌏
Study Country
Germany
🏛️
Provider
German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina (Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina)
📊
Acceptance
Varies (Estimated 15-25%)
The Leopoldina Fellowship Programme supports early-career scientists by providing stipends for research stays abroad or for international researchers in Germany. It focuses on fostering the next generation of top-tier scientists in natural sciences and medicine.
👥 Who Should Apply
Targeted at early-career scientists (within 7 years of PhD) from DACH countries for international research or international scientists for German research, with exceptional publication records.
🏛️ Host University
Global research institutions outside the applicant's home country (or within Germany for foreign applicants)
🤝 Sponsor
German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
🔬 Fields of Study
Natural Sciences, Medicine, History of Science, and related interdisciplinary fields
✨ Key Benefits
Provides a comprehensive monthly stipend adjusted for local costs, travel expenses, research material costs, and family/childcare supplements.
Provided (Monthly basic allowance plus supplements for dependents if applicable)
Total Award
Monthly basic stipend (approx. €1,750 to €2,300) plus host-country specific purchasing power adjustment
✈️ Travel: Yes (One-time travel allowance for the fellow and accompanying family members)🏠 Accommodation: Included in the monthly stipend and purchasing power adjustments💊 Health Insurance: Fellows must arrange their own; stipends are intended to cover these costs🔄 Renewable: No💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Not applicable (Postdoctoral research level)
🏠 Living Stipend
Provided (Monthly basic allowance plus supplements for dependents if applicable)
🏡 Accommodation
Included in the monthly stipend and purchasing power adjustments
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes (One-time travel allowance for the fellow and accompanying family members)
💊 Health Insurance
Fellows must arrange their own; stipends are intended to cover these costs
🎁 Other Benefits
Monthly research cost allowance (approx. €250), childcare supplement, and potential funding for return phases
🔄 Renewable
No
📋 Renewal Conditions
Extensions are generally not granted except for exceptional cases such as parental leave
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
PhD obtained within the last 7 years, outstanding academic records, and German, Austrian, or Swiss citizenship/residency (for going abroad) or international status (for coming to Germany)
🎓 Academic Level
Postdoctoral
📊 Minimum GPA
Not specified; focus is on the quality of the doctoral thesis and publications
🗣️ English Requirement
Proficiency in English or the language spoken at the host institution is required
🍢 Age Limit
No strict age limit, but restricted to early-career researchers
💼 Work Experience
Required (Previous research at the doctoral level and a strong publication record)
🏆 Leadership
Evidence of scientific independence and potential for future leadership in academia
💰 Financial Need
No
🎯 Target Students
Early-career Postdoctoral researchers
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Comprehensive research proposal and career plan required)
Rec Letters
Yes (Two reference letters and a letter of invitation from the host institution)
Interview
No (Selection is primarily based on written applications and external peer review)
Application Fee
Free
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Yes (Two reference letters and a letter of invitation from the host institution) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
Proficiency in English or the language spoken at the host institution is required
Interview: No (Selection is primarily based on written applications and external peer review)
Min GPA: Not specified; focus is on the quality of the doctoral thesis and publications
📋 Application Process
Identify a member of the Leopoldina Academy relevant to your field to act as a mentor/supporter for your application.
💡 Insider Tip: Ensure your research proposal is highly innovative and clearly explains why the specific host institution is critical for your project.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
Open year-round
⏰ Deadline
Applications accepted year-round; Selection committee meets four times per year
🎤 Interview
No (Selection is primarily based on written applications and external peer review)
🎓 Study Starts
Flexible, typically within 6 to 12 months of approval
Open year-round
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
Applications accepted year-round; Selection committee meets four times per year
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
No (Selection is primarily based on written applications and external peer review)
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
Flexible, typically within 6 to 12 months of approval
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Academic excellence, scientific quality and originality of the research project, and the suitability of the host laboratory.
Targeted at early-career scientists (within 7 years of PhD) from DACH countries for international research or international scientists for German research, with exceptional publication records.
This scholarship covers: Provides a comprehensive monthly stipend adjusted for local costs, travel expenses, research material costs, and family/childcare supplements.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is Applications accepted year-round; Selection committee meets four times per year. Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Competitive. Acceptance rate: Varies (Estimated 15-25%). Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
No
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Proficiency in English or the language spoken at the host institution is required, Yes (Two reference letters and a letter of invitation from the host institution) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.