Are you a humanities or social sciences researcher with groundbreaking ideas and global ambition? The Kulturwissenschaftliches Institut Essen (KWI) invites outstanding international scholars to spend six dedicated months in Essen, Germany—free from teaching and administrative duties—focusing fully on their next major project. Establish collaborations across the Ruhr region and reimagine academic possibilities with KWI’s fellowship programs.↚
Immerse in Critical Inquiry: KWI International & Thyssen Fellowships 2026
Details
- Fixed term: 1 April to 30 September 2026. No flexible start or end dates allowed.
- Research must align with KWI’s priorities—topics like cultural sociology, science communication, visual culture, literary studies, public humanities, or identities and politics.
- Fellows benefit from interdisciplinary interaction and connections with Ruhr Alliance universities (e.g., Essen, Bochum, Dortmund, Cologne).
Eligibility Criteria
- KWI International: Must hold a PhD and have completed within the past six postdoctoral years; German nationals eligible only if employed at an international institution.
- Thyssen@KWI: Accepts candidates with longer postdoctoral experience and broader academic profiles.
- Research proposals must resonate with KWI’s agenda.
- Strong written and spoken English proficiency is required; German is not necessary.
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Benefits
- Monthly stipend of €3,000 (pre-tax) for KWI International Fellows; €4,000 under Thyssen@KWI.
- Partial reimbursement for travel to/from Essen.
- Full access: private office, library services, tech and administrative support, and event participation.
- No teaching load—dedicated research time.
- Must reside at KWI at least 3–4 days per week and actively engage in academic programming: seminars, the KWI blog, colloquia, and optional workshops.
Why You Should Apply
This fellowship offers an unparalleled environment for independent, high-impact research in humanities and social sciences. With generous funding, world-class resources, and the opportunity to connect with European scholars across disciplines, it’s a unique platform for innovation and academic growth.↚
How to Apply
- Prepare one single PDF (max 20 MB) containing: CV, publications list, PhD certificate, and a research proposal (max 5,000 characters including spaces).
- Use subject line “KWI INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS” or “THYSSEN@KWI FELLOWSHIP” as appropriate.
- Deadline: 29 August 2025 at midnight CET.
- Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.
Immerse in Critical Inquiry: KWI International & Thyssen Fellowships 2026