The Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS) at the University of Freiburg, Germany, offers prestigious fellowship programmes for researchers worldwide. These fellowships provide a collaborative environment, access to university resources, and financial support to focus on innovative research projects. Fellows will receive a research cost contribution, a mobility allowance (if applicable) and travel costs of the inbound and the outbound journeys (if applicable). Fellowships will allow researchers to conduct their own research projects.
Below, we break down the three main programmes: Early Career, Senior, and Sustainable Governance Fellowships, including eligibility, benefits, and application details. For more fellowships, please visit here.
1. FRIAS Early Career Fellowship Programme
This programme supports early-career researchers in all disciplines to conduct research at the University of Freiburg.
Eligibility
- Scientists who completed their PhD within the last 8 years (as of application date).
- At least 6 months of research/study at academic institutions in a country different from where the first academic degree was earned.
- Disciplines: All fields supported by the University of Freiburg.
Interested in More Fellowships? Follow links below
Funding Duration
- 4 to 10 months
Application Deadline
- 12 September 2025, 1:00 PM (for the 2026/27 academic year)
2. FRIAS Senior Fellowship Programme
This programme is for experienced researchers looking to advance their projects with the support of Freiburg’s academic community.
Also check: Deakin University Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Eligibility
- Scientists with a PhD and at least 8 years of post-doctoral experience.
- At least 6 months of research/study at academic institutions in a country different from where the first academic degree was earned.
- Disciplines: All fields supported by the University of Freiburg.
Funding Duration
- 3 to 8 months
Application Deadline
- 12 September 2025, 1:00 PM (for the 2026/27 academic year)
3. FRIAS Sustainable Governance Fellowship Programme for Researchers from Africa
This programme supports researchers from African institutions focusing on humanities and social sciences, fostering collaboration with Freiburg academics.
Eligibility
- Scientists with a PhD, at least 8 years of post-doctoral experience, and based at an African institution (open to all nationalities).
- At least 6 months of research/study at academic institutions in a country different from where the first academic degree was earned.
- Disciplines: Humanities and social sciences only.
Also check: Asia in the World Fellowship Programme 2026/2027
Funding Duration
- 6 months
Application Deadline
- 12 September 2025, 1:00 PM (for the 2026/27 academic year)
Application Requirements (All Programmes)
- Online Form: Candidate/project info, abstract, layman’s abstract, motivation statement, ethical issue table
- Attachments:
- Project proposal
- CV
- Publication list (PDF):
- Early Career: Max. 8, 4 post-2021, peer-reviewed
- Senior: Max. 15, 10 post-2019, peer-reviewed
- Sustainable Governance: Max. 8, 5 post-2016, peer-reviewed, 1 co-authored
- PhD diploma (PDF)
- Experimental scientists only: Letter of support (host lab in Freiburg, PDF), experiment sketch/timetable (PDF)
- Sustainable Governance only: Letter of Cooperation (from Freiburg professor, PDF)
- Evaluators: Contact info for 2 evaluators (Early Career/Senior only)
See also: KAUST Global Fellowship Program for Postdoctoral Researchers
How to Apply
You can access the online application form via the FRIAS website for detailed instructions. The application link is attached below
