Research fellowships are offered on an international competitive basis. Scholars from developing countries (excluding Egypt, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Turkey, India and the PR of China) may apply. There are no quotas in respect of either country or academic discipline. However, since fellowships are designed to promote the transfer of knowledge and methods and to contribute to further development in fellows' home-countries, they are focussed on humanities and social sicences, political science and economics, projects in the public health sector and in the fields of agriculture, forestry and geosciences, and interdisciplinary projects relating to environmental and resource protection. Up to approx. 50 research fellowships are available per annum (www.avh.de/en/programme/stip_aus/gf_01.htm).