Alexander von Humboldt Foundation was founded in 1860 with a view to supporting German scientists' research visits abroad. After the financial breakdown in 1923, the Foundation closed down to be reopened in 1925 with a view to aiding non-German scientists so they could attend post-graduate studies in Germany. After the fall of the German Reich in 1945, the Foundation stopped operating.

On December 10th 1953, the Foundation was re-established, this time by the Federal Republic of Germany. The Foundation's seat was in Bonn-Bad Goedesberg.

So far, over 20,000 scientists from 125 countries have been sponsored.