Early Career Rescue Fellowship Programme (Fully Funded)

Are you an early-career researcher facing challenges due to political restrictions in the USA? The Early Career Rescue Fellowship Programme from Baden-Württemberg, Germany, offers a safe space to continue your work. This program supports postdoctoral researchers with 1-7 years of experience who can’t pursue their research in the USA because of issues like travel bans or canceled funding.

Hosted by three top institutes: Zukunftskolleg Konstanz (ZuKo), Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), and Tübingen College of Fellows (CoF). It’s open to researchers from anywhere in the world.  You can check out more Internships, BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details

• Program Name: Early Career Rescue Fellowship Programme
• Host Institutions: Zukunftskolleg Konstanz (ZuKo), Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), or Tübingen College of Fellows (CoF)
• Duration: 24 months (flexible start between July 1, 2026, and November 30, 2028)
• Funding Type: Fully funded – competitive salary up to ~€6,000/month (pre-tax, experience-based), plus research funds, mobility allowance, relocation support, and family services
• Eligibility: Open to all nationalities
• Application Deadline: January 9, 2026, at 11:00 AM CET

What the Fellowship Offers

This 2-year program provides:

• A 24-month employment contract at your preferred university (between July 1, 2026, and November 30, 2028).
• Monthly salary up to about €6,000 (before taxes and social contributions), based on your experience (per TV-L rules).
• Stay at one of the three Institutes for Advanced Studies.
• Workspace and research infrastructure.
• Support to carry out your project, including local hosts or lab access if needed.
• Extra funding for research, travel, and moving costs.
• Help with career development, networking, language courses.
• Family support, like finding housing and childcare.

Check Also: St. Gallen Global Essay Competition 2026 – Fully Funded Trip to Switzerland

Eligibility Requirements

To apply, you must meet these criteria:

Formal Eligibility

• PhD completed, plus 1-7 years of post-PhD experience (time off for family, health, or non-academic work doesn’t count).
• No permanent professorship.
• Statement in your motivation letter explaining how U.S. political restrictions affect your research.
• Proof of U.S. restrictions (e.g., canceled funding or visa denial for 2025/2026) OR a referee’s letter confirming the threat.
• Choose first and second preferred university/institute, and name one local host at each (no need to contact them yet).
• Propose a project that fits the university’s resources (disciplines, labs, etc.).
• No ethically excluded topics.
• Follow all form and page limits.
• Submit complete application on time.

Also check: Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships 2026 (Fully Funded)

Basic Academic Quality

• At least 3 peer-reviewed publications (e.g., articles, monographs; accepted papers count with proof). A single-authored monograph = 3 publications. Edited volumes or non-peer-reviewed items don’t count.
• Project should have international relevance, not just local.

Check Also: Purdue University Summer Fellowship 2026 (SURF Program)

Application Materials

Apply online via the BITE portal: [Application Form](APPLICATION FORM)

Fill out the form completely. Upload one PDF with these documents (in English, include a table of contents):

1. Letter of Motivation (max 1 page, font size 11, line spacing 1.15): Explain how U.S. restrictions threaten your research and your fit with the hosts.
2. Research Proposal (max 5 pages, including everything, font size 11, line spacing 1.15): Cover:
   • Short summary (max 1 page).
   • Aims and scope.
   • Innovation, originality, and relevance.
   • Methods.
   • Expected impact.
   • Feasibility and timeline.
   • Why the university fits.
   • Ethical issues (if any) and how you’ll handle them.
3. CV (tabular, max 5 pages, font size 11, line spacing 1.15): No publication list here. Include non-academic achievements, childcare periods (to adjust experience years).
4. Writing Sample (max 30 pages): E.g., paper, book chapter, or PhD excerpt. Can be co-authored (clarify your role) or in original language for some fields.
5. Proof of U.S. Restrictions: Document showing cancellation (funding, visa, etc.) for 2025/2026 OR referee’s letter explaining the threat.
6. PhD Diploma Copy: If not in Latin script, include official translation.
7. Optional: Up to 2 Recommendation Letters (not from hosts): Upload yourself or have referees send to [email protected]. Must be recent, on letterhead, signed, and arrive by deadline.

Exceeding page limits means your application won’t be considered.

Application Deadline: January 9, 2026, at 11:00 AM CET

Check Also: ESO Internship Program 2026 in Germany – Fully Funded

Selection Procedure

The process is competitive and based on merit:

1. Eligibility Check: Must meet all formal and quality criteria.
2. Peer Review: Experts assess your CV, career stage, project quality, and feasibility.
3. Final Selection: Committee meets in February 2026. Prioritizes diversity if candidates are equal. You’ll hear back quickly.

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Redress

If you disagree with a decision, file a complaint within 14 days to the Representative for Academic Self-Regulation via: Mihaela Mihaylova Zukunftskolleg, University of Konstanz Box 216, 78457 Konstanz, Germany Email: [email protected]

They’ll investigate confidentially. Expert decisions are rarely overturned.