✨ Should I Apply for Leopoldina Postdoctoral Stipend (Leopoldina-Postdoc-Stipendium)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Monthly basic stipend (approx. €1,750 to €2,300) plus host-country specific purchasing power adjustment
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Deadline
Applications accepted year-round; Selection committee meets four times per year
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Fields
Natural Sciences, Medicine, History of Science, and related interdisciplinary fields
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Awards/Year
Approximately 30 to 40 stipends per year
🏛️
Provider
German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina (Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina)
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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.
🎯 Target Students
Early-career Postdoctoral researchers
🏷 Tags
Postdoc
Germany
Science
Research
Fellowship
International Exchange
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Not applicable (Postdoctoral research level)
Living Stipend
Provided (Monthly basic allowance plus supplements for dependents if applicable)
Total Award
Monthly basic stipend (appro
✈️ 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
📋 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
🎯 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)
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.