Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

Bird flu has been spreading rapidly in Germany. How can we prevent regional outbreaks in the future? Our Humboldt Professor for #AI Joacim Rocklöv and his research team at Universität Heidelberg have developed a machine learning model that can predict highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak patterns in Europe. 👇 #vogelgrippe #birdflu #AvHProfessor

International research talents wanted! The Global Minds Initiative Germany offers many opportunities – our new fellows know best. 💡 The new programme of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space enables researchers from abroad to work on innovative research projects, further strengthening Germany as a place of international collaboration and scientific progress. One of the first fellows of the programme is science historian Dr Joris Mercelis. What makes Germany so attractive as a research location? “German sources and contacts are particularly important for my current research projects on the history of chemistry and photography. At the same time, I want to get better acquainted with the German research environment. The programmes of the Humboldt Foundation for experienced researchers clearly distinguish Germany from other European countries that I know, as comparable opportunities for international scientists are rather rare there.” Dr Mercelis (Belgium) is coming from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA, to Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf on a Humboldt Research Fellowship. His research focuses on the history of technology, science, and capitalism in the modern and contemporary periods. Interested to know why the fellows and award winners of the Global Minds Initiative chose Germany as a research location? Stay tuned for more here on LinkedIn. -------------------------------- The “Global Minds Initiative Germany” aims to offer career prospects in Germany and to intensify international research cooperation. Initiated by the Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt, the programme builds on the prestigious funding opportunities offered by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - German Research Foundation as well as the opportunities for students and doctoral candidates provided by the DAAD Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst.

The question isn’t if #AI is changing the world – but how? At our Bonn Humboldt Award Winners’ Forum, top researchers discuss current developments in artificial intelligence. In his opening remarks at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn yesterday, the Humboldt Foundation’s Secretary General, Zanner Markus, emphasised the role AI plays for the Foundation and for the German scientific landscape. He praised the visionary work of the Humboldt Professors for AI, who are leading the way into the future. In his keynote lecture on responsible AI, Kristian Kersting, expert for artificial intelligence and machine learning, highlighted the benefits and current challenges – especially with respect to enhancing public AI research and fostering public–private partnerships. Overall he stressed: "The machine is not perfect, the human is not either, but together they might be perfect." 💡Key questions of the event: What kind of AI do we need and want? How can we separate the hype from serious scientific and technological progress? What are the benefits for society? The Forum aims to offer a platform of exchange by uniting the who’s who of AI research in Germany: Kristian Kersting, Humboldt Professors for AI Holger Hoos, Hector Geffner, Vincent C. Müller, André Platzer, Daniel Rueckert, Angela Schoellig, Heike Vallery, and Angela Yu, Humboldt Professor Oliver Brock, Sofja Kovalevskaja Award winner Milica Gasic, Max Planck-Humboldt Medal winner Sumit Gulwani, and Humboldt Research Award winner Toby Walsh FAA FTSE FRSN. 🤩 A special thank you goes to the host Holger Hoos and the two other members of the Scientific Committee: Oliver Brock and Vincent Müller. Over the next few days, we’ll delve into all things AI with lectures, flash talks and panel discussions. In the words of our Secretary General, Markus Zanner: "The idea for our Award Winners’ Forum is to connect observations, to connect scientific ideas. And most importantly: to connect people!"

📣 Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to connect across disciplines and expand your network! The call is still open until 29 October! To apply for our UK-German Frontiers of Humanities Symposium, simply fill out our application form and submit a CV and a list of key publications.

What happens when curiosity meets opportunity? Molly Taylor-Poleskey, Humboldt Fellow from the USA, values the academic freedom she experiences during her research stay in Germany. As a scholar of early modern history, she embraces the chance to explore the unfamiliar, gain new perspectives, and contribute to a global movement that invests in the future of research. You also want to expand your research through international collaboration? Follow the link in the comments!

International research talents wanted: Here are the first fellows of the Global Minds Initiative Germany! 🎉💚 The new programme of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space enables researchers from abroad to work on innovative research projects, further strengthening Germany as a place of international collaboration and scientific progress.  One of the first fellows of the programme is biomedical engineer Dr Sevgi Gokce Kafali. Why did she decide to apply for a fellowship in Germany? “Germany is one of the leading countries in magnetic resonance imaging research, offering solid industry-university partnerships and technical infrastructure. It provides an open and supportive research environment that encourages independent thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration. This independence is essential for innovative and impactful scientific work, especially in a rapidly evolving field such as artificial intelligence in medicine. During my fellowship, I hope to strengthen my expertise in medical imaging while developing leadership and project management skills.” Dr Kafalı (Turkey) is coming from the University of California, Los Angeles, USA, to the Technische Universität München on a Humboldt Research Fellowship. She is conducting research at the department of Daniel Rueckert, Humboldt Professor for AI in Medicine and Healthcare.  Interested to know why the fellows and award winners of the Global Minds Initiative chose Germany as a research location? Stay tuned for more here on LinkedIn. ----------------------------------- The “Global Minds Initiative Germany” aims to offer career prospects in Germany and to intensify international research cooperation. Initiated by the Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt, the programme builds on the prestigious funding opportunities offered by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - German Research Foundation as well as the opportunities for students and doctoral candidates provided by the DAAD Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst.

Wir heißen die ersten Geförderten des „1000-Köpfe-Plus-Programms“ willkommen! 💚   Karriereperspektiven in Deutschland bieten und internationale Forschungszusammenarbeit stärken – das neue Programm des Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt ermöglicht es der Humboldt-Stiftung, mehr Forschungsstipendien und -preise zu vergeben. In den kommenden Monaten werden weitere Forschende im Rahmen von „1000-Köpfe-Plus“ ausgewählt. Ab 2026 sind voraussichtlich zusätzliche Formate und Programmlinien geplant.   Bundesforschungsministerin Dorothee Bär betont: „Das 1.000-Köpfe-Plus-Programm haben wir im Sommer gestartet und ich freue mich sehr, dass wir nun bereits die ersten Geförderten in Deutschland begrüßen können. Sie sind ein großer Gewinn für unser Wissenschaftssystem: Mit ihren Erfahrungen, ihrer Expertise und ihren Forschungsvorhaben werden sie den Forschungsstandort Deutschland bereichern und dazu beitragen, unsere internationale Wettbewerbsfähigkeit weiter zu stärken.“    Auch Stiftungspräsident Robert Schlögl freut sich über die positive Resonanz: “Die ersten Rückmeldungen der neuen Geförderten zeigen, was es bei uns weiter zu fördern und zu verteidigen gilt: die Wissenschaftsfreiheit, die Attraktivität des Forschungsstandorts und die weltoffene, internationale Zusammenarbeit.”    Was erhoffen sich die Wissenschaftler*innen von ihrem Forschungsaufenthalt in Deutschland? Und was macht den Forschungsstandort so attraktiv? Lesen Sie mehr in unserer Pressemitteilung (Link im Kommentar) und in den kommenden Tagen auf LinkedIn!    -------------------------------  Das vom Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt ins Leben gerufene Programm baut auf den renommierten Förderangeboten der Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung und der Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - German Research Foundation sowie den Möglichkeiten für Studierende und Doktoranden des DAAD Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst auf. 

How much do you really know about the food on your plate – or how it got there? 🍔🤔 Join us for another highlight of the Berlin Science Week 2025: "Food for Thought", a fun and informative pub quiz, exploring the world of food and agriculture.   ℹ️ 4 November, 6–8 pm | Tipperary Irish Pub, Berlin   Gather the sharpest minds and hungriest thinkers in your friend group to assemble your team of up to 7 members, and compete for victory!   More information and registration: Follow the link in the comments below. #BerlinScienceWeek #BerlinScienceWeek25 ------------------------------- The "Food for Thought" pub quiz is hosted by participants of the #HumboldtResidencyProgramme 2025, which focused on "The Future of Food".

Join us at the Berlin Science Week on 1 November – Hype and Hopes of Longevity: What will really help us live better for longer? Over the past decade, longevity has become a buzzword. But the “better life” is not just about medical interventions, new drugs and diets – it requires a holistic approach to designing healthy and sustainable livelihoods. 💡 At the Inspiration Stage of the #BerlinScienceWeek, Shuyan Liu (Charité Berlin) and Sofia Christensen (freelance journalist based in Berlin) from our #ResearchComLab share their insights on: - What role do mental health and the environment play in extending your health span? - How can we communicate a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of longevity? The audience is invited to imagine what a more sustainable future for all might look like! 🗓️ 1 November 2025 | 4-5 pm | Campus Museum für Naturkunde Berlin ℹ️ Link to the registration in the comments below! We will also present some of the key learnings from the tenth Communication Lab on longevity – a science-media project organised by the Humboldt Foundation in cooperation with the International Journalists' Programmes. More in the comments. We hope to see you there! -------------------------------------------- From 1-10 November, Berlin Science Week presents over 250 events blending science, art, and culture – both in the city and online. #BerlinScienceWeek25

Strong transatlantic connections are immensely important 💪🏼🌎 – it’s great to see so many colleagues in the US engaging with German research funding institutions and the American Friends of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. The Research and Funding Roadshow is part of the federal government's new “Global Minds Initiative Germany,” which aims to offer career prospects in Germany and to intensify international research cooperation. __________________________ The Global Minds Initiative Germany by the Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt builds on the prestigious programmes offered by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - German Research Foundation as well as the opportunities for students and doctoral candidates provided by the DAAD Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst.