Grant opportunity
KWI International Fellowships 2027
KWI is offering six-month international fellowships in Essen for postdoctoral humanities, cultural studies and social-science researchers whose projects connect with KWI's research agenda.
- Funder
- Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities Essen (KWI)
- Applications due 17 August 2026 at 24:00 CET
- Applications due 17 August 2026 at 24:00 CET: Aug 17, 2026
- Award
- Six-month fellowship from 1 April to 30 September 2027 with EUR 3,000 monthly allowance and possible partial travel reimbursement
- Applicant
- Outstanding researchers from around the world in the humanities, cultural studies and social sciences who completed a PhD in 2021 or later; German nationals may apply only if currently employed at an international institution.
- Discipline
- Humanities, Arts and Culture
- Region
- Germany / Global
- Posted
- Jul 10, 2026
Call summary
Overview
The KWI International Fellowship Program welcomes researchers from around the world for a six-month residential fellowship at the Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities in Essen.
Who can apply
Applicants must have completed a PhD in the humanities or social sciences and have up to six years of postdoctoral experience. For this call, applicants who completed their PhD in 2021 or later are eligible, with career breaks considered where explained. The programme is open globally; German nationals are eligible only if employed at an international institution.
What it supports
- Residential fellowship at KWI from 1 April 2027 to 30 September 2027
- Research linked to KWI's programme in the humanities, cultural studies and social sciences
- Participation in KWI colloquia, lectures, conferences, reading groups and academic events
- Contribution to the KWI Blog and possible workshop activity
Funding and duration
- Selected fellows receive a fellowship contract and a monthly allowance of EUR 3,000 before tax.
- Partial reimbursement of travel expenses for arrival at and departure from KWI is possible.
Applications due 17 August 2026 at 24:00 CET
Applications due 17 August 2026 at 24:00 CET: Aug 17, 2026
How to apply
Send one single PDF file of up to 20 MB to international.fellowship@uni-due.de with the required CV, publication list, PhD certificate and project proposal by 17 August 2026.
Call details
Source-based overview
KWI invites applications for International Fellowships from 1 April to 30 September 2027. The fellowship is for individual researchers whose work aligns with KWI's agenda and contributes to the institute's interdisciplinary conversations. Fellows are expected to use the residency for independent research, join academic life at KWI, contribute to the KWI Blog, and engage with the wider academic landscape in the Ruhr area.
Eligibility
Applicants must have completed a PhD in the humanities or social sciences and have up to six years of postdoctoral experience. For this call, applicants who completed their PhD in 2021 or later are eligible, with career breaks considered where explained. The programme is open globally; German nationals are eligible only if employed at an international institution.
Funding and benefits
Selected fellows receive a fellowship contract and a monthly allowance of EUR 3,000 before tax.
Partial reimbursement of travel expenses for arrival at and departure from KWI is possible.
Themes and supported activities
Residential fellowship at KWI from 1 April 2027 to 30 September 2027
Research linked to KWI's programme in the humanities, cultural studies and social sciences
Participation in KWI colloquia, lectures, conferences, reading groups and academic events
Contribution to the KWI Blog and possible workshop activity
Deadline and timeline
Applications due 17 August 2026 at 24:00 CET: Applications due 17 August 2026 at 24:00 CET: Aug 17, 2026.
Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.
How to apply
Send one single PDF file of up to 20 MB to international.fellowship@uni-due.de with the required CV, publication list, PhD certificate and project proposal by 17 August 2026.
Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.