KWI International Fellowships 2026 – Fully Funded

Applications are now open for the KWI International Fellowships, a prestigious 6-month research opportunity at the Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities (KWI) in Essen, Germany. This fellowship targets early- to mid-career researchers in the humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences, with projects aligned to KWI’s focus areas such as science studies, visual literacy, aesthetic practices, constellations of historical impact, and dialogues between cultural and social sciences. The program runs from October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, and offers a fully funded experience with a monthly allowance to cover living expenses. Eligible applicants include international researchers who have completed their PhD with up to six years of postdoctoral experience (PhDs from 2020 or later); German nationals may apply only if currently employed at an international institute. There is no application fee, and the deadline is February 28, 2026, at midnight CET.

Key Details

• Duration: 6 months, from October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.
• Location: Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities (KWI), Essen, Germany.
• Fields: Humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences, with alignment to KWI’s research agenda (science studies, visual literacy, aesthetic practices, constellations of historical impact, dialogues between cultural and social sciences).
• Funding: Fully funded with a monthly allowance of 3,300 € (pre-tax) for rent, insurances, and living expenses; partial travel reimbursement for arrival and departure.
• Open to all nationalities.
• Application Deadline: February 28, 2026, 24:00 (midnight, CET).
• Application Fee: None.

What This Fellowship Offers

• Monthly allowance of 3,300 € (pre-tax) for rent, insurances, and living expenses.
• Modern infrastructure, including office space, technical support, library services, event and research management, and administrative/communicative assistance.
• Opportunity to dedicate time to research projects like finishing a book, special issue, research proposal, or establishing collaborations with Ruhr Alliance universities.
• Partial reimbursement for travel to and from KWI; fellows cover additional expenses (e.g., conferences) from their allowance.
• Chance to organize a workshop (optional, subject to resources and scheduling).

Also Check: Early Career Rescue Fellowship Programme (Fully Funded)

Eligibility Criteria

• Completed PhD with up to six years of postdoctoral experience (PhDs completed in 2020 or later; postdoctoral experience counted from PhD completion date).
• Address career breaks (e.g., for care-related reasons or scholars at risk) in a cover letter.
• Project proposal must clearly align with KWI’s research agenda.
• Open to researchers worldwide; German nationals eligible only if currently employed at an international institute.
• Individual applications only; no groups or teams.
• Strong command of English required; knowledge of German not necessary.

Also Check: Fully Funded Doctoral Positions at Max Planck Research School, Germany 2026

How to Apply

• Submit a single PDF file (max. 20 MB) electronically to [email protected] ; no links to external platforms due to IT regulations.
• Application must be in English and include: CV, list of publications, PhD certificate, and a project proposal sketching your KWI project (max. 5,000 characters).
• Incomplete, late, multi-file, or over-length proposals will not be considered.
• Selection by a committee including KWI’s governing board and director.
• For further questions or FAQs, contact [email protected].

Also Check: World Leaders Convention 2026 in Brussels, Belgium