Harvard University homepage
HARVARD.EDU

Opportunity: Heidelberg Harvard Explorer Seed Fund

Sponsor: Heidelberg University

Project timeline: 21 months. April 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027

Internal deadline to request the required letter from the Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs: 02/18/2026 @ 11:59 PM

Heidelberg submission deadline: 02/28/26.

Note– The application must be formally submitted by a project-leading professor (PI) of Heidelberg University. However, the project may be jointly led by project-leading professors from both institutions.

Timeline:

Applications must be entered in GMAS and undergo review by the appropriate sponsored research office (OSP/ORA/SPA).

  • 01/09/26 open in HUFP
  • 02/18/26 @ 11:59 pm. Close
  • 02/20/26 OSP submission deadline
  • 02/28/26 Submission deadline/responsible party Heidelberg PIs

Description:

As part of the institutional partnership between Heidelberg University and Harvard University, and supported by the State of Baden-Württemberg through its Global Partnership in Science program, Heidelberg University is launching the Heidelberg | Harvard Explorer Seed Fund for the funding period April 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027. This program supports transatlantic collaboration with Harvard University by funding outstanding research and cooperative activities through joint projects.

Through targeted measures to intensify partnership activities, the fund provides new impetus for collaborative projects. The focus is on individual research stays by Harvard University researchers at Heidelberg University as well as academic events, targeting both leading and early-career researchers. The program aims to further strengthen the international excellence of both institutions.

Applicants from Harvard University must include in the materials provided to the Heidelberg PI a Letter of Support from the Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs at Harvard University.

For instructions on how to explore a stay at Heidelberg University, download application templates, and request a letter from the Vice Provost for International Affairs, select “Apply” at the following link, https://btly.communityforce.com/4pyqsjd

Requests for letters will be processed on a rolling basis and returned to the email address associated with the PI’s profile in HUFP.

Heidelberg Harvard Explorer Seed Fund website

Heidelberg Harvard Explorer Seed Fund FAQs