FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

3. WHO CAN APPLY?

• Applications are open to faculties, institutes, and central academic units of Heidelberg University. The application must be led by a professor holding a permanent position at Heidelberg University and affiliated with the applying faculty or institute.

4. WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR HARVARD RESEARCHERS?

• Only Harvard researchers with a current Harvard appointment are eligible to participate on a project as part of the Harvard team. This may include appointments at Harvard-affiliated hospitals with prior institutional approval.

5. CAN VISITING SCHOLARS ALSO BE INVOLVED IN TEACHING ACTIVITIES DURING THEIR STAY?

• Yes. Research stays funded under this program may include teaching activities such as guest lectures, seminars, or contributions to courses.

6. CAN FOLLOW-UP APPLICATIONS BE SUBMITTED UNDER THE EXPLORER SEED FUND?

• Follow-up applications under the Explorer Seed Fund are possible, provided they expand the scope of an already funded project and demonstrate a clearly successful initial implementation phase.
• Continuation funding may be granted for activities that build substantially on prior results and further develop the established collaboration.
• In justified cases, a transition from the Explorer Seed Fund to the Strategic Partnership Grant may also be possible, if the collaboration has developed sufficient depth and strategic relevance to be supported under the SPG framework.

7. WHAT ARE THE MONTHLY FELLOWSHIP AMOUNTS?

• Doctoral researchers: € 1.400 based on DAAD research fellowships.
• Early-career researchers: € 3.000
• Senior researchers € 3.600
• Increase of individual rate for fellows is possible through additional third-party funds of the receiving institute.
• For stays of less than one month, the fellowship is calculated on a pro rata basis according to the number of weeks
• Fellowships are free of income tax.

8. WHO IS CONSIDERED AS AN EARLY-CAREER RESEARCHER?

• Graduates and young researchers within five years after completing their doctorate (excl. recognized interruption periods, e.g., parental leave).

9. HOW DO THESE FELLOWSHIP AMOUNTS COMPARE TO POSTDOCTORAL SALARIES IN THE UNITED STATES?

• Fellowship amounts in Germany are typically lower in gross terms than postdoctoral salaries in the United States. However, they are paid tax-free and correspond broadly to the net income of postdoctoral researchers within the German academic system. In addition, cost of living, particularly for healthcare and housing, is generally lower and more predictable than in many U.S. metropolitan areas. The fellowship is designed to provide competitive financial support within the German and European research context while offering a high degree of academic flexibility.

11. WHO QUALIFIES FOR FAMILY SUPPORT?

• Child benefit replacement: EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals may claim child benefit under German law. Others can apply for the program’s replacement payment.
• Health insurance allowance: €130/month per accompanying partner and child, upon proof of full private health insurance coverage.
• Partner allowances are only granted if the partner has no independent income.
• Family support apply to fellowship stays of at least one month.

13. CAN DOCTORAL RESEARCHERS EARN A PHD AT HEIDELBERG UNDER THIS PROGRAM?

• No, the program funds temporary research stays only; it does not support doctoral degrees at Heidelberg.

14. SHOULD EXACT TRAVEL DATES BE INCLUDED IN THE APPLICATION?

• Not required, but the planned duration must be specified for budget purposes.

15. HOW SHOULD THE BUDGET PLAN BE STRUCTURED?

• Use the program’s budget template and detail costs by category.
• Please note: Prior to application submission, all project teams are requested to arrange a consultation with the Heidelberg | Harvard Cooperation Team to review and discuss a draft of the proposed budget plan.
   

17. WHAT ARE THE SELECTION CRITERIA?

• Qualification and complementarity of partners: How well do the expertise and strengths of Heidelberg and Harvard participants complement each other? Are relevant prior work and resources contributed by both sides
• Academic potential of the collaboration: How original and promising is the research question? Is there clear potential for follow-up projects?
• Contribution to sustainability of the partnership: How likely is the collaboration to continue beyond the Strategic Partnership Grant?
• Support for early-career researchers, equality, and diversity: Are junior researchers actively involved? Are diversity aspects (e.g., gender, origin, discipline) considered and promoted?

18. HOW IS THE PROJECT IMPLEMENTED?

• Approved projects receive a funding notice. Funds are administered by the applying faculty, institute, or central academic unit.

19. HOW ARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY QUESTIONS ADDRESSED IN THE COLLABORATIONS?

• Intellectual property matters are addressed in the Program Agreement and in the Project Agreement. Intellectual property matters, in particular those arising in connection with third-party funding applications, joint research projects and publications, can additionally be resolved as needed following a positive funding decision in a separate agreement after consultation with the Harvard Office of Technology Development and the Research Department of Heidelberg University.

20. WHO IS CONSIDERED A PROJECT ASSISTANT?

• A project assistant may be designated in the application and, if the project is approved, will manage project administration tasks (e.g., adjusting budgets, requesting funds, preparing expenditure reports). The project assistant can also be appointed after approval. 

21. WHAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE BUDGET FOR FELLOWSHIPS?

• The full amount of the fellowships, including travel lump sum and allowances are subject to 19% VAT. Please note: These tax payments are not deducted from the monthly fellowship. The respective costs are to be paid by Heidelberg University.

22. WHICH INSURANCES ARE MANDATORY FOR HARVARD RESEARCHERS?

• Recognized German health insurance is required.
• Private liability insurance is recommended.
• Costs must be covered by fellowship funds.
• Social insurance contributions are generally not required.

24. WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR HARVARD RESEARCHERS?

• Only Harvard researchers with a current Harvard appointment are eligible to participate on a project as part of the Harvard team. This may include appointments at Harvard-affiliated hospitals with prior institutional approval.
• Eligibility will be confirmed by Harvard as part of its internal review process prior to proposal submission.

25. Contact For Questions

• Questions can be directed to the International Relations Division at 

  harvard-cooperation@uni-heidelberg.de