Hector Research Career Development (RCD) Award 2026

The Hector Fellow Academy is now accepting applications for the Hector Research Career Development (RCD) Award. The application period runs from 1 September to 30 October 2026.

The award supports outstanding researchers in the natural and engineering sciences, medicine, and psychology who are on their career path between postdoc and professorship. It is open to W1 professors and junior group leaders. Each year, three researchers are honoured with €25,000 each.

Eligibility requirements include an excellent doctorate (obtained no more than seven years ago), a fixed-term position at a German university or comparable research institution, and substantive or formal eligibility to supervise doctoral candidates.

Further information and application: hector-fellow-academy.de/karriereentwicklung
Call for applications (PDF): Hector RCD Award 2026
Previous awardees: hector-fellow-academy.de/hector-rcd-awardees