Top junior scholars and scientists from all disciplines who come from countries other than Germany, have completed a doctorate with distinction in the past six years, and have published work in prestigious international journals or publishing houses are eligible for the Sofja Kovalevskaja Award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. The award allows recipients to spend five years building up a working group and working on a high-profile, innovative research project of their own choice at a research institution of their own choice in Germany.