Precautions:
1. Your resume must highlight your own characteristics and reflect what you can't reflect on the application form. Don't say some descriptive empty words, such as hard work and correct attitude. There is no need for self-evaluation here. These evaluations are made by the referee.
2. The important evaluation criteria of Humboldt Review Committee are the applicant's research proposal and published papers. The research plan must highlight the personal early accumulation work, preferably based on the further work of the doctoral thesis, and explain where your research plan and your host's research direction are. When writing a research plan, you must think twice, because you should not only impress the reviewers, but also impress your host. In fact, your master is most concerned about your research plan. The documents cited in the application should contain articles sent by you personally. At the end of this article, attach a suggestion on how to write a good research plan, in English, for your reference. I forget where I downloaded it, and I can't give you the reprint address. Please forgive me!
3. The paper focuses on English papers published in international academic journals. Pay special attention to the work of doctoral thesis, and require that the papers related to doctoral thesis be marked in the catalogue of individual published papers. According to my own experience and the experience of other brothers and sisters retrieved, the paper does not win by whether it is an English article or not, by quantity, or by influencing factors. Because the number of papers and influencing factors have a great relationship with the subject. There are only three English articles signed by the first author, and the highest impact shadow is only 1.5. In short, as long as you think your grades are ok, work hard.
4. The three masterpieces should be carefully selected, not only to show their own level, but also to be linked to the research direction of the host as much as possible. You'd better discuss it with the professor.
Letter of recommendation is very important, so we must pay attention to it. Many people think that the evaluation of Humboldt scholarship depends on the research plan and the publication of papers, which ignores the importance of recommendation letters. Personally, I think the recommendation letter is as important as the above two aspects, even higher. As the judges of the foundation, they need to give their opinions within one week (according to the regulations of the foundation). It is difficult for them to master your strength and level in such a short time, and an important basis for them to judge your strength and level is the opinion of the referee. At the same time, the foundation attaches great importance to letters of recommendation from different countries, because it shows that you have certain international influence, which is consistent with the selection goal of the foundation. In addition, if your tutor, a senior scholar in your work unit and another recommender in the recommendation letter are all international celebrities, your success rate will be greatly improved. It would be better if the third referee is from overseas. The most perfect situation is that your tutor, the scholar in your work unit and the third referee are all Humboldt scholars, so your chances of success will increase greatly. The Humboldt Foundation attaches great importance to the opinions of Humboldt scholars. This is not what I said, but what my current host said, which I told me when I was looking for a reference. My referees are all Humboldt scholars, and I also know that there are many Humboldt scholars among the referees, and the probability of winning is very high.
Finally, before carrying out the above-mentioned series of activities, you must get the support of a German professor, otherwise you will not even be qualified to participate in the evaluation. It is easy to choose a German professor. If you are familiar with a German professor, go directly to him. If you are not familiar with it, use the keywords in your research field to search in EI or SCI library, and then send him an email directly to see if your previous work and direction can interest the professor. As long as you indicate in the subject that you want to apply for Humboldt, they will reply to you. In addition, you can also ask the Humboldt Foundation to recommend professors for you, but this will take a long time and may not be appropriate. I tried this method, but so far the Humboldt Foundation has not given me an answer. Fortunately, I found it myself. After finding Professor Host, everything will be logical. Maybe he will help you choose a reference!