Support for Ambitious Young Researchers on the Path to a Professorship
The new application phase for the Hector Research Career Development Award has begun. The award is aimed at W1 professors (with or without tenure track) and junior research group leaders in the natural and engineering sciences, medicine, or psychology who work at universities or research institutions in Germany and have already demonstrated promising scientific achievements. The application deadline is October 30, 2025.
Winners of the Hector RCD Award receive a one-time research grant of €25,000 as well as funding for a doctoral position. In addition, they become members of the Hector Fellow Academy for five years, gaining access to a valuable research network.
Candidates with the following qualifications can now apply for the Hector RCD Award:
- W1 assistant professors (with or without Tenure Track) or own junior research group leaders in natural or engineering sciences, medicine or psychology (e.g. Emmy-Noether Programme (DFG) or similar)
- Doctorate or PhD-equivalent less than seven years prior the application with exceptional results
- Temporary employment at a German university, Fraunhofer-Institute, Helmholtz-Center, Leibniz-Institute or Max Planck Institute
- Formal or content-related right to supervise a doctorate
For more information on the award and all application details, please click here.
With this award, the Hector Fellow Academy supports the academic careers of outstanding researchers in the natural and engineering sciences, medicine, and psychology. Established in 2020, the award has already recognized 17 excellent early-career researchers. Their fields of research range from biology, physics, chemistry, and engineering to mathematics, computer science, medicine, and psychology. Their projects stand out for fresh ideas and innovative research approaches.