Einstein Fellowship 2027 in Germany by the Einstein Forum and Wittenstein Foundation
Country: Germany
Location: Caputh, Brandenburg
Organization: Einstein Forum and Wittenstein Foundation
Category: Fellowship
Deadline: May 15, 2026
Duration: Five to six months
The Einstein Forum and the Wittenstein Foundation offer the Einstein Fellowship for outstanding young thinkers who want to pursue a project in a field different from their previous research. According to the official description, the fellowship supports applicants who have produced outstanding work in their area of specialization and who are also interested in interdisciplinary approaches inspired by the example of Albert Einstein.
Fellowship Stay
The fellowship includes living accommodations for five to six months in the garden cottage of Einstein’s own summerhouse in Caputh, Brandenburg. The official page states that the location is only a short distance from the universities and academic institutions of Potsdam and Berlin.
Financial Support
The selected fellow will receive a stipend of EUR 10,000 as well as reimbursement of travel expenses. The FAQ also states that the stipend is intended to cover living expenses and project expenses incurred during the fellowship period.
Eligibility
Candidates must be under 35 and must hold a university degree in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences. The official information also states that it is not relevant whether the applicant has begun working toward, or currently holds, a PhD.
Project Rules
The fellowship is not intended for applicants who wish to complete an academic study they have already begun. The proposed project must not be part of a dissertation or thesis, and no fellowships will be given for dissertation research. The source also states that the proposed project must be significantly different in content, and preferably in field and form, from the applicant’s previous work. It may be the beginning of a longer project and does not need to be fully completed during the fellowship period.
Selection Basis
A successful application must demonstrate the quality, originality, and feasibility of the proposed project, as well as the superior intellectual development of the applicant. The FAQ also notes that there are no limitations on the kind of project proposed as long as the idea can be defended as interesting, original, and feasible during the fellowship period.
Required Documents
Applications for 2027 must include a CV, a two-page project proposal, and two letters of recommendation. The application form page also states that the accepted file format is PDF and that a cover letter is optional.
Language
The FAQ states that application documents must be in English. It also says that TOEFL or IELTS results are not required because the application itself should already reflect mastery of English.
Recommendation Letters
The FAQ explains that reference letters may either be attached to the application or emailed directly by their authors. The application form page also states that recommendation letters can be sent directly by the respective issuers to the Einstein Forum.
Timeline
All documents must be received by May 15, 2026. The FAQ states that the application review and interview processes begin in June, and final decisions are released by the end of July. It also notes that the exact fellowship dates are flexible, but the five- to six-month fellowship period should preferably take place during the summer months and end within the calendar year.
Fellowship Requirement
At the end of the fellowship period, the fellow is expected to present the project in a public lecture at the Einstein Forum and at the Wittenstein Foundation. The FAQ further states that, as part of the fellowship, the fellow is expected to reside in Caputh.
