KWI International Fellowships 2027 in Germany

The KWI International Fellowships 2027 offer six-month research stays at the Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities in Essen, Germany. The programme welcomes researchers in the humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences. Selected fellows receive a monthly allowance of €3,000 before tax. The application deadline is 17 August 2026.

Quick Overview

Programme: KWI International Fellowships
Opportunity Type: Research Fellowship
Host Institution: Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities
Location: Essen, Germany
Duration: Six months
Fellowship Period: 1 April–30 September 2027
Financial Support: €3,000 monthly allowance before tax
Deadline: 17 August 2026, 24:00 midnight CET

About the KWI International Fellowships 2027

The Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities, also known as KWI, is an interdisciplinary research institute for the humanities and social sciences. It is based in Germany’s Ruhr Area and provides space for independent research and public engagement.

KWI’s research focuses on areas including science studies, visual literacy, aesthetic practices, historical impact, and dialogue between cultural and social sciences. Applications are particularly encouraged from researchers whose proposed projects align with this agenda and contribute to academic discussions at the institute.

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Financial Support and Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows receive a fellowship contract rather than a full-employment contract. The programme provides:

✓ Monthly allowance of €3,000 before tax
✓ Allowance intended to cover rent, insurance, and living expenses
✓ Possible partial reimbursement of arrival and departure travel expenses
✓ Research infrastructure and office space
✓ Technical support and library services
✓ Event and research management support
✓ Administrative and communication support

Fellows must use their allowance to cover additional travel expenses, including conference-related travel.

Eligibility Criteria

The programme accepts individual applications from researchers around the world.

Applicants must:

• Hold a completed PhD in the humanities or social sciences
• Have no more than six years of postdoctoral experience
• Have completed their PhD in 2021 or later for this call
• Apply as an individual rather than as part of a group or team
• Propose research connected to KWI’s programme agenda
• Have a strong command of English

Career breaks may be explained in the cover letter. KWI may consider care-related career interruptions and circumstances connected with being a scholar at risk.

German nationals may apply only when they are currently employed at an international institution. Knowledge of German is not required.

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Research Projects and Participation Requirements

The fellowship must be dedicated to research connected to KWI’s programme agenda. Applicants may propose different project formats, including:

• Completing a book or special issue
• Finalising a research proposal
• Establishing a research group
• Developing collaboration with University Alliance Ruhr institutions

Fellows must be present at KWI for at least three days each week. They are also expected to participate in entry and exit interviews.

Participants should contribute actively to colloquia, lectures, conferences, reading groups, and other academic events. They must also contribute to the KWI Blog.

Selected fellows may have an opportunity to organise a workshop, depending on available resources and scheduling. Teaching is not required, although fellows may participate in lectures and seminars at surrounding universities.

Publications resulting from the fellowship period should acknowledge KWI.

Fellowship Dates

The fellowship runs from 1 April 2027 until 30 September 2027.

Successful applicants must begin on the announced starting date. The official call states that the fellowship’s start and end dates are not negotiable because of the institute’s semester schedule and programme design.

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Required Documents

Applications must be prepared in English and combined into one PDF file with a maximum size of 20 MB.

The application must contain:

• Curriculum vitae
• List of publications
• PhD certificate
• Proposal outlining the planned KWI project
• Cover letter when relevant career breaks need to be explained

The project proposal must not exceed 5,000 characters.

Application Process

Applicants must combine all required materials into a single PDF file and submit it electronically to:

international.fellowship@uni-due.de

KWI does not accept applications submitted through links to external platforms.

Applications will not be considered when they are:

• Incomplete
• Submitted after the deadline
• Sent as multiple files
• Accompanied by a project proposal exceeding the stated limit

Selection Process

Fellows will be selected by a committee comprising members of the KWI governing board and the institute’s director.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is 17 August 2026, 24:00 midnight CET.

The complete application must reach the official fellowship email address before the stated deadline.

Official Link

Read the official announcement carefully and follow the stated application instructions.

Read the Official KWI International Fellowships Announcement