HEIDELBERG LAUREATE FORUM FOUNDATION
Heidelberg Laureate Forum (HLF)
full · bachelors, masters, phd
- Fully fundedTravel, accommodation, meals & insurance
- ~200 researchersSelected participants per year
- 8 daysForum length (13-20 September)
- ~EUR 2,000-3,500 (est.)Estimated value of travel & stay covered
- All nationalitiesWho may apply
- 4 groupsUndergrad, master's, PhD and postdoc
At a glance
full
Funding
€4k
Max amount
Feb 11, 2027
Deadline
Open to all nationalities
Country
Heidelberg Laureate Forum Foundation
Provider
The Heidelberg Laureate Forum (HLF) is a fully funded, week-long networking event held each year in Heidelberg, Germany, for selected young researchers in mathematics and computer science. The 12th edition ran from 13 to 20 September, and around 200 young researchers are chosen each year to spend the week with laureates of the field's top awards, including the Abel Prize, the Fields Medal and the Turing Award. The forum mixes lectures, panel discussions, workshops and informal networking so that students and early-career researchers can engage directly with top scientists and with peers from around the world. Full funding for selected participants covers international travel to and from Germany, visa costs and an invitation letter, accommodation for the duration of the event, all meals including lunches, dinners and coffee breaks, shuttle transport within Heidelberg, and travel health insurance. Applications are open to undergraduate and pre-master students, master's and PhD students, and postdocs who completed their doctorate within the last 5 years, in all nationalities. The application deadline is in early February (around 11 February) and selected participants are notified by late April. Confirm the exact next-cycle dates and the full list of covered costs on the official HLF website before applying.
What's covered
- International travel — Travel expenses to and from Germany for the forum, with the total value of travel and stay estimated at ~EUR 2,000-3,500 (est.) per participant.
- Accommodation — Hotel accommodation in Heidelberg for the full duration of the event, plus a hotel confirmation letter.
- Meals — All meals during the forum, including lunches, dinners and coffee breaks.
- Visa support — Visa costs and support, including an official invitation letter to assist with the visa application.
- Local transport — Shuttle bus service within Heidelberg between the venue and accommodation.
- Insurance — Travel health insurance for the period of participation.
How to apply
Applicants complete the online application on the official HLF website during the application window and submit documents appropriate to their participant category.
- Confirm your category — Identify whether you apply as an undergraduate/pre-master, master's, PhD student, or postdoc (within 5 years of your PhD) in mathematics or computer science.
- Prepare your documents — Assemble a CV, a motivational statement, a letter of recommendation, and a list of awards and scientific achievements; PhD and postdoc applicants also prepare a thesis summary, transcripts and publications list.
- Complete the online application — Submit your application through the official HLF application portal before the deadline.
- Submit before the deadline — Apply before the early-February deadline (around 11 February); late applications are not accepted.
- Await the decision — Applications are reviewed from mid-February to mid-April and acceptance or rejection notifications are sent by the end of April.
Eligibility
FieldMathematics, computer science or a closely related discipline.
Undergraduate / pre-masterBachelor's-level and pre-master students currently enrolled in a relevant programme.
Master's / PhDMaster's students in a relevant programme and PhD students in related disciplines.
PostdocsPostdoctoral researchers who completed their PhD within the last 5 years.
NationalityOpen to applicants of all nationalities.
Selection is competitive and capped at roughly 200 participants per year; PhD and postdoc applicants must submit additional documents such as a thesis summary and list of publications.
Eligible countries
Open to all nationalities
Deadlines
Forum (September 2026)~11 February 2026 (est.)
Following edition~February 2027 (est.)
Selection
Applications are assessed during a reviewing phase from mid-February to mid-April by a scientific committee that weighs the candidate's academic record, motivational statement, letter of recommendation and scientific achievements. Around 200 young researchers across the undergraduate, master's, PhD and postdoc categories are selected, and acceptance or rejection notifications are sent by the end of April.
Verified sources
- Heidelberg Laureate Forum - official siteheidelberg-laureate-forum.orgofficial
- HLF application portalapplication.heidelberg-laureate-forum.orgofficial
About the provider
The Heidelberg Laureate Forum is organised by the Heidelberg Laureate Forum Foundation, established in 2013 and based in Heidelberg, Germany. It brings together laureates of the Abel Prize, Fields Medal, ACM A.M. Turing Award and Nevanlinna Prize with selected young researchers in mathematics and computer science each year.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the Heidelberg Laureate Forum?
+
It is a fully funded, week-long event in Heidelberg, Germany, where around 200 selected young researchers in mathematics and computer science meet laureates of the Abel Prize, Fields Medal and Turing Award for lectures, discussions and networking.
When does the forum take place?
+
The forum runs for about 8 days in mid-September; the 12th edition was held from 13 to 20 September.
What does the funding cover?
+
It covers international travel to and from Germany, visa costs and an invitation letter, accommodation, all meals, shuttle transport within Heidelberg, and travel health insurance, with a total value estimated at ~EUR 2,000-3,500 (est.).
Who can apply?
+
Undergraduate and pre-master students, master's students, PhD students, and postdocs who completed their PhD within the last 5 years, all in mathematics, computer science or related fields.
Which nationalities are eligible?
+
The forum is open to applicants of all nationalities.
How many participants are selected?
+
Around 200 young researchers are selected each year across the four participant categories.
What documents do I need to apply?
+
A CV, a motivational statement, a letter of recommendation, and a list of awards and achievements; PhD and postdoc applicants also submit a thesis summary, transcripts and a publications list.
What is the application deadline?
+
The deadline is in early February (around 11 February); confirm the exact next-cycle date on the official HLF website.
When will I hear back?
+
Applications are reviewed from mid-February to mid-April and acceptance or rejection notifications are sent by the end of April.
How do I apply?
+
Complete the online application through the official Heidelberg Laureate Forum application portal before the deadline.
Which airport should I use to attend?
+
The recommended airport is Frankfurt am Main International Airport (FRA); participants should arrive in Heidelberg on the first day of the forum.
Where can I confirm the latest details?
+
Confirm the next edition's dates, deadlines and the full list of covered costs on the official Heidelberg Laureate Forum website before applying.