The Helmholtz Visiting Researcher Grant offers doctoral researchers and postdocs the opportunity to do a fully-funded short-term research stay at one of the 18 Helmholtz Centers. The program is promoted by the Helmholtz Information and Data Science Academy (HIDA).
Insight into the Helmholtz Association
The aim of the program is to enable new research collaborations, to foster knowledge exchange, and to explore new or emerging research topics in the field of information and data sciences. The program addresses researchers in both academia and industry whose research has a strong link to the (applied) information and data sciences. It offers researchers the opportunity to get to know the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers.
HIDA is tasked to support the mission of the Helmholtz Association – solving the major challenges facing society, science and the economy by conducting top-level research in strategic programs within six research fields: Energy, Earth & Environment, Health, Aeronautics, Space and Transport, Matter, and Information.
Information on the next application rounds will be published on this website.
How Does the HIDA Visiting Research Grant Work?
We offer financial support for a self-organized research stay in a department/working group in one of the 18 Helmholtz centers. Your research must have a strong link to the field of (applied) information & data sciences.
- Who can apply: Postdocs and doctoral researchers from (inter-)national research organizations and researchers from industry (Master's degree with at least 3 years of research experience, or PhD). If you are a postdoc at one of the Helmholtz centers and are interested in a research stay at another Helmholtz center, please apply for the HIDA Trainee Network.
- Duration: HIDA offers funding for a research stay of 1-3 months.
- Funding: You receive a research grant from the hosting Helmholtz center (2,860 EUR per month plus allowances).
- Further questions? This presentation summarizes the most important info about the two HIDA Research Grants, Trainee Network and Helmholtz Visiting Researcher Grant.
Application
- Step 1 Contact a research group at one of the 18 Helmholtz centers to discuss the possibility of a 1- to 3-month research stay.
- Step 2 You and the hosting Helmholtz center (e.g. head* of the corresponding research area or group) can apply for a Helmholtz Visiting Researcher Grant to financially support your stay.
- Step 3 Prepare for your stay and get inspired by the fascinating world of Helmholtz research!
Before you apply, please read our application guidelines carefully. The review process may take approximately four to five months, depending on the number of applications the program receives. Please plan your research stay accordingly.
Note: In view of the ongoing pandemic, it is possible to plan the research stays - where possible and reasonable in terms of content - also virtually or, however, hybrid (with individual working meetings and presence phases), provided that this is done by mutual agreement between the applicant and the host. The fellowship rates will then be adjusted accordingly. HIDA also endeavors to approve research stays that cannot take place in presence due to the pandemic situation at another time where possible.
Find a Suitable Project and Host
Are you looking for an interesting project and a suitable host or hostess to provide expert guidance? Learn more about how to proceed and who to contact here:
Become a Host
If you would like to host a visiting scientist for a short research stay in your group, please register here on our list of Helmholtz hosts!
Any Questions?
Take a look at our FAQs or send us an email at hida@helmholtz.de. You can also get in touch with the contact persons at the Helmholtz centers. For more information on funding opportunities, click here.
Selection
All applications are reviewed by a selection committee. This committee consists of the HIDA Steering Committee, which is composed of representatives from the Helmholtz Research Fields and the Helmholtz Information & Data Science Schools, and other experienced Helmholtz researchers.
To be awarded the grant, the motivation of the applicant, the quality and originality of the project as well as the basic feasibility within the time frame of the planned research stay are particularly important. Furthermore, a relation to the field of Information & Data Science as well as the added value for the research portfolio of the Helmholtz Association must be clearly recognizable. The funding commitment is made in coordination with the Helmholtz centers.
Have you successfully applied for the Helmholtz Visiting Researcher Grant? Learn more about the next steps in this document.
Final Report and Certificate
After the research stay, applicants are requested to send HIDA a report on their activities at the hosting Helmholtz center. The final report should be submitted to HIDA within 3 months after the end of the research stay. Upon receipt of the final report, HIDA will issue a certificate of participation in the Helmholtz Visiting Researcher Grant if requested.
Do you have further questions about the application process or the program?
Feel free to contact us.
Contact
Stefanie Gruber-Sliva
Networks & Mobility Program Manager
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