The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung), which was established by the Federal Republic of Germany on 10 December 1953, promotes academic cooperation between excellent scientists and scholars from abroad and from Germany. Its research fellowships and research awards allow foreign scientists to come to Germany to work on a research project they have chosen themselves together with a host and collaborative partner. As an intermediary organisation for German foreign cultural and educational policy, the Foundation promotes international cultural dialogue and academic exchange.

Every year, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation enables more than 2,000 researchers from all over the world to spend time researching in Germany. The Foundation maintains a network of more than 25,000 Humboldtians from all disciplines in over 130 countries worldwide - including 49 Nobel Prize winners.

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation's Ambassador Scientists (Vertrauenswissenschaftler) disseminate information about Germany as a research location at universities and research institutions at home and abroad, focussing particularly on the Foundation's sponsorship programmes and international network. They work for the Foundation in an honorary capacity as alumni, hosts or reviewers. They also advise the Humboldt Foundation and other German funding organisations on local programme promotion and networking. They are points of contact for Humboldt alumni and Humboldt associations.

I am appointed to be an Ambassador Scientist of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation from March 2010 to February 2016.