Humboldt fellowship response from Mentors

[Vani]

Thanks PG!

I am not aware of those grants that you mentioned, I will search for them. May be those are national grants or something? That only people from Germany or Europe can apply?

In my application, I have made a cover letter, wherein I write my introduction first, give some brief about my university.Then I write about Humboldt fellowship,attach a detailed file for that. Afterwords I come back to my research, explain a little bit of what we are trying to do in lab. Then I attach my CV which contains all details.

Is there anything that is missing out here?

I will go through the networking tips, thank you for the information.

[Chris]

Hi Vani, if I understand the situation correctly, you are a junior faculty member in India and want to get some international research experience. Maybe something like a one-year sabbatical to learn more research techniques, expand your research program and connect international collaborators. Is that correct? Is there a specific reason that you are targeting Germany for this? As others have mentioned, there are other fellowship programs in addition to the Humboldt that could help you meet these goals.

I would suggest that you take the long view of this goal. I think you would have better luck making a research connection with someone first. Perhaps there are people doing the kinds of work you want to do in your network? Or perhaps you could attend a few international conferences to meet people? When I get cold emails from people wanting to do something like this, I am not inclined to agree because I have no idea what the person is like (not only how they are in the lab, but also whether they are nice and good to work with, etc.). However, I would think much more seriously about it if we had met at a conference or if another colleague I respect vouched for them. Rather than seeing the Humboldt application as the end goal, make expanding your research connections and network the goal, and you may then find more than one way to achieve your objective of getting international research experience.

[Vani]

Hi Vani, if I understand the situation correctly, you are a junior faculty member in India and want to get some international research experience. Maybe something like a one-year sabbatical to learn more research techniques, expand your research program and connect international collaborators. Is that correct? Is there a specific reason that you are targeting Germany for this? As others have mentioned, there are other fellowship programs in addition to the Humboldt that could help you meet these goals.

I would suggest that you take the long view of this goal. I think you would have better luck making a research connection with someone first. Perhaps there are people doing the kinds of work you want to do in your network? Or perhaps you could attend a few international conferences to meet people? When I get cold emails from people wanting to do something like this, I am not inclined to agree because I have no idea what the person is like (not only how they are in the lab, but also whether they are nice and good to work with, etc.). However, I would think much more seriously about it if we had met at a conference or if another colleague I respect vouched for them. Rather than seeing the Humboldt application as the end goal, make expanding your research connections and network the goal, and you may then find more than one way to achieve your objective of getting international research experience.

Hi Chris,

Yes you got it right. I exactly want to go for a sabbatical to get some international exposure and expand the area of my research. The reason for applying for Humboldt fellowship is because there is option for experienced researchers (Up to 12 years of PhD.

I will target the international conferences as you mentioned. So far I was thinking that I should go to give some oral presentation , for that my work should be strong with good publications etc. I think both are connected like you said. First thing is to get the network.

Thanks a lot!! I got the idea where I was going wrong.

[D Babri]

Thank you PG for your response.

Yes I understand that they might be getting many applications that's why the response is negative. But to have funding in hand, first requirement is to get approval from the mentor. Once the mentor agrees then only I can apply for fellowship.

I am trying to find some network now.

But other than that what is it that grabs attention of somebody. Like If somebody applies to you and you don't know the person, on what basis you will entertain that person. I am having Decent publications like in FEBS letters, Biotechnology advances etc. However they will be noticed only if somebody sees them (I am worried that some might not even open my resume).

Is it the way of writing the cover letter? Is it giving too much information or less information?

I am sorry to bother that much. I am just trying to find a way out.

Thanks a lot!