The KWI International Fellowship Program welcomes outstanding researchers from around the world
working in the humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences. We particularly encourage applications from scholars whose research projects align with KWI’s research agenda and contribute
to ongoing conversations at the institute.
Application Deadline:
- 17 August 2026 (midnight CET)
Tell Me About the Fellowship Program:
The Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities (KWI) in Essen offers 6‑month international fellowships (April 1 – September 30, 2027) for outstanding researchers in the humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences. KWI provides a space for independent, innovative research and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, with current focus areas including science studies, visual literacy, aesthetic practices, and cultural/social dialogues.
Fellowship Details:
- Monthly allowance: €3,000 (pre‑tax).
- Travel support: partial reimbursement for arrival/departure.
- Infrastructure: office space, library services, event and research management, and technical support.
- Expectations:
- Presence at least 3 days/week.
- Active participation in colloquia, lectures, conferences, and reading groups.
- Contribution to the KWI Blog.
- Publications must acknowledge KWI.
- Optional: Organize a workshop during fellowship.
Type:
- Postdoctoral Fellowship | Humanities & Social Sciences | KWI Essen
Who can apply?
Applicants must:
- Hold a PhD in humanities or social sciences.
- Have up to 6 years of postdoctoral experience (PhD completed in 2021 or later).
- Be at the R2 level of the European Framework for Research Careers.
- Explain career breaks (e.g., care responsibilities, scholar at risk) in the cover letter if applicable.
- Be from any country worldwide.
- German nationals eligible only if employed at an international institution.
- Apply individually (no group/team applications).
How Are Applicants Selected?
- Selection by committee of KWI governing board and director.
- Based on project proposal relevance to KWI’s agenda, originality, and feasibility.
Which Countries Are Eligible?
- Global – open to all nationalities.
Where is the fellowship taken?
- KWI Essen, Germany – with opportunities to collaborate across the University Alliance Ruhr (Duisburg‑Essen, Bochum, Dortmund) and nearby universities in Cologne, Düsseldorf, Münster, Bielefeld, and Folkwang University of the Arts.
What is the benefit of the fellowship program?
- Financial support (€3,000/month).
- Research infrastructure and academic networking.
- Opportunity to collaborate with Ruhr Alliance universities and cross‑border initiatives in Belgium/Netherlands.
- Immersion in a vibrant cultural hub (Ruhr Area).
How Long Will the Fellowship Last?
- 6 months (April 1 – September 30, 2027).
Required Documents:
- CV.
- List of publications.
- PhD certificate.
- Project proposal (max. 5,000 characters).
How to Apply:
- Prepare all documents in one PDF file (max. 20 MB).
- Submit electronically to [email protected].
- Ensure proposal length does not exceed 5,000 characters.
- Deadline: 17 August 2026 (midnight CET).
Visit the Application Webpage for Details
FAQs About the KWI International Fellowships
What distinguishes the “KWI International Fellowships” from the “Thyssen@KWI Fellowship”?
Our KWI International Fellowships are specifically designed for outstanding international researchers in the humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences who have completed a PhD and have up to 6 years of post-doctoral experience.
The Thyssen@KWI Fellowship is open to exceptional researchers of all nationalities who have completed a PhD and have several years of post-doctoral experience. Applicants for this fellowship are expected to propose a project that differs from their doctoral research.
HOW SHOULD I SUBMIT MY APPLICATION?
To submit your application, please send it digitally to [email protected]. When applying for the KWI International Fellowships, please use the subject line „KWI INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS.“ For the Thyssen@KWI Fellowship, please use the subject line “THYSSEN@KWI-FELLOWSHIP.”
Your application should include a CV, a list of publications, a digital copy of the PhD certificate, and a proposal outlining your KWI project (up to 5,000 characters including spaces). Incomplete applications or those submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
Upon receipt of your properly submitted application, you will receive a confirmation of receipt.
SHALL I SEND MY APPLICATION IN ONE SINGLE FILE?
Yes, applications must be submitted as ONE SINGLE PDF file, with a maximum file size of 20 MB.
CAN I SEND MY APPLICATION IN OTHER FILE FORMATS?
Please send your application in PDF format only, as word files or other file formats may get rejected.
YOUR CALL ASKS FOR A PROPOSAL OF UP TO 5,000 CHARACTERS. DOES THIS MEAN 5,000 WORDS?
The project proposal should be up to 5,000 characters, including spaces, not 5,000 words. To determine the character count (including spaces) of your proposal, please use the “word count“ feature available in your word processor.
ARE GERMANS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
The KWI INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS primarily address international researchers. Researchers of German nationality are only eligible to apply if they are currently employed at an international institute.
The THYSSEN@KWI FELLOWSHIP addresses international researchers as well as researchers of German nationality if they can demonstrate excellent international contacts and work experiences.
IS THIS FELLOWSHIP OPEN TO SCHOLARS AT ALL STAGES OF THEIR CAREERS, OR IS IT LIMITED TO RECENT PHDs?
The KWI INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS are designed for research fellows who have completed a PhD and have up to six years of post-doctoral experience. It is important that the PhD be completed at the start of the fellowship, and applicants are required to submit a PhD certificate with their application.
The THYSSEN@KWI FELLOWSHIP is open to researchers who have completed a PhD, and there is no limit on the number of postdoctoral years of experience required. Applicants for this fellowship are expected to propose a project that differs from their previous PhD research.
If I haven’t completed my PhD yet, can I still apply for the International Fellowship?
For the International Fellowship, it is required that the PhD be completed at the start of the fellowship. Therefore, at the time of application, you will need to have submitted your PhD thesis and/or have a viva date (oral examination) that is expected to be scheduled before the fellowship begins. Candidates are also requested to provide a PhD certificate. A letter from the department or institute confirming the thesis submission/expected viva date can be provided as an alternative.
What types of projects are suitable for this fellowship?
The fellowship is open to various project possibilities, such as finalizing a manuscript, developing a new research project, or preparing a grant application. It is essential that the proposed research project aligns with KWI’s programmatic agenda.
HOW LONG WILL THE EVALUATION PROCESS TAKE?
Decisions will be announced roughly 4 months before the beginning of the fellowship.
Will I receive feedback if my application is rejected?
Regrettably, due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual feedback on applications or projects. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
DOES THE FELLOWSHIP INCLUDE A FAMILY ALLOWANCE OR COVER TRAVELING EXPENSES?
While fellows are welcome to bring their families, the fellowship does not include an additional family allowance. Travel expenses for the fellow’s arrival and departure to/from KWI may be partially reimbursed, but this does not extend to the fellow’s family or relatives. KWI provides a separate parent-child office that can be booked for hours or days to accommodate fellows with children.
I HAVE MISSED THE DEADLINE. CAN MY APPLICATION STILL BE CONSIDERED?
We do not accept applications that are sent to us after the deadline.
CAN I RESEND THE APPLICATION IF I FIND A MISTAKE IN THE MATERIAL?
You may send us an updated version of your application during the application period. Once the evaluation process is underway, we do not accept corrections to the application materials.
CAN I UPDATE MY APPLICATION AFTER THE APPLICATION PERIOD HAS ENDED?
We will not update application materials after the deadline; however, if you wish to inform the committee of significant developments relating to your career progress, you may notify us by e-mail. We will pass relevant information on to the committee.
