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We are pleased to announce that the application phase for the Hector Research Career Development (RCD) Award of the Hector Fellow Academy (HFA) is now open. From September 1 to October 30, 2025, outstanding early-career researchers are invited to apply for this prestigious award.

Supporting Excellence in a Key Career Transition

Since 2020, the Hector RCD Award has been presented annually to support exceptional researchers in the fields of natural and engineering sciences, medicine, or psychology during the crucial stage between postdoc and professorship. The award is aimed specifically at W1 professors and junior research group leaders and comes with funding of €25,000.

So far, 17 scientists have been honored with the award, advancing both their research projects and their academic visibility.

👉 Call for Applications

About the Hector Fellow Academy

The Hector Fellow Academy was founded in 2013 by Hans-Werner Hector, co-founder of SAP, with the mission to strengthen Germany as a hub for cutting-edge research, foster interdisciplinary exchange, and contribute to solutions for global challenges.

The Academy unites the recipients of the Hector Science Award—renowned researchers from the natural and engineering sciences, medicine, and psychology. Besides supporting collaborative projects, the Academy is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of researchers. Alongside its PhD funding program for outstanding master’s graduates, the Hector RCD Award is a central element of this mission.

Spread the Word

We kindly invite you to share the call for applications within your networks and encourage eligible candidates to apply. Detailed information and the application portal can be found directly on the Hector Fellow Academy website.

Motherhood – as well as other forms of unpaid care work – is still often seen as a disadvantage in academia. Those who have children or take on care responsibilities are quickly perceived as less flexible, less productive, less competitive. But what if we turn this perspective around?

The pilot project “Motherhood and Academia” aims to highlight the strengths, skills, and experiences that caregivers bring with them – and how these can enrich academic work. Motherhood does not only mean interruption or burden, but also resilience, creativity, organizational skills, empathy, and fresh perspectives on socially relevant questions.

Invitation to join the conversation

Our next network meeting on September 19, 2025, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. will focus on exactly these questions:

• What competencies arise from motherhood and care work?

• How can they be made visible and valued?

• And how can they inspire a different, more inclusive understanding of academia?

👉 Spontaneous participation is warmly welcome:
Zoom link
Meeting ID: 668 5098 4389
Passcode: 773037

Upcoming sessions

• October 28, 2025, 12:00–1:30 p.m.
  How do you do it? Role models: Who or what inspires you?

• November 2025 (tba)
  How do you do it? Role models edition. Mothers in academia share their journeys

About our use of language

We deliberately use the terms “motherhood” and “mothers” in a broad and reflective sense. Motherhood is diverse: not only cis women are mothers, not all mothers have given birth, and not all who have given birth are mothers. Anyone who is read as female will at some point in life be confronted with the topic in different ways – regardless of whether they have children or want them.

This project aims to create a space that is open to people with a wide range of experiences: to everyone who identifies as a mother, as well as to those who experience or are confronted with motherhood without identifying as a mother themselves.

Get involved

This series thrives on exchange. Ideas, impulses, and topic suggestions are always welcome – for upcoming meetings, blog contributions, or collaborations.

We are excited to share two outstanding opportunities for international researchers: the Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Azrieli International Visiting PhD Fellowship. Both programs are designed for exceptional researchers aiming to advance their work at leading academic institutions in Israel.

Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellowship (2026–27)

This fellowship supports postdoctoral researchers from all disciplines who wish to further their research in Israel. Benefits include:

• A monthly stipend of 14,000 ILS

• A duration of up to three years

The online application is now open and closes on November 19, 2025. Please note: candidates must secure an academic sponsor in Israel before applying.

Azrieli International Visiting PhD Fellowship (Spring 2026)

This fellowship enables PhD candidates to undertake short-term research stays at leading Israeli institutions. Benefits include:

• A monthly stipend of 12,000 ILS

• Duration of up to four months

The application deadline for the Spring 2026 cohort is October 27, 2025. Applications for the Fall 2026 semester will open in March 2026. An academic sponsor in Israel is required.

About the Azrieli Foundation

For over 35 years, the Azrieli Foundation has been dedicated to strengthening communities and improving lives through strategic and impactful giving. The foundation supports initiatives in education, science & healthcare, research, and the arts, in both Canada and Israel.

For more information, visit: azrielifoundation.org

We encourage all international researchers to explore these exciting opportunities and submit their applications. Please help us share these fellowships with potential candidates!