The purpose of the Association is to foster the aims of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation by making the Foundation's programs more visible to young researchers in Canada. It is further the purpose of the Association to nurture scholarly exchanges with Germany by, for example, encouraging Canadian scholars to invite Lynen fellows to do research in Canada and by periodic invitations to German scholars to visit Canada to present their work.
Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) was a nature researcher and explorer, universal genius and cosmopolitan, scientist and patron. His lengthy Latin American journey from 1799 to 1804 was celebrated as the second scientific discovery of South America. Members of natural science disciplines such as physical geography, climatology, ecology or oceanography see Humboldt as their founder. The masterpiece of his advanced years, the five-volume "Cosmos. Draft of a Physical Description of the World," has remained unique in its comprehensive approach. Alexander von Humboldt not only invested his heritage in his own studies but also selflessly sponsored other young scholars and talents, among them Justus von Liebig and Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy.
Every year the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation enables more than 1 800 researchers from all over the world to work together with German colleagues in Germany. The Humboldt Network connects more than 20,000 Humboldtians in 130 countries.
