KWI International Fellowships 2026 in Germany | Fully Funded Research Opportunity
Are you a postdoctoral researcher seeking to explore an exciting academic opportunity in Europe? The KWI International Fellowships 2026 in Germany offer a prestigious, fully funded 6-month research fellowship designed for scholars in the humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences. Hosted by the Kulturwissenschaftliches Institut Essen (KWI), this fellowship is open to talented researchers around the world, providing a supportive environment to develop and refine academic projects.
Applications for the 12th cohort of the KWI Fellowship are now open for the period of April 1 to September 30, 2026. This is an ideal opportunity for academics with a PhD and up to six years of postdoctoral experience.
Fellowship Overview
- Host Country: Germany
- Host Institute: Kulturwissenschaftliches Institut Essen (KWI)
- Duration: 6 months (April 1 – September 30, 2026)
- Funding Type: Fully Funded
- Monthly Stipend: €3,000
- Application Deadline: August 29, 2025
- Eligible Candidates: International postdoctoral researchers
Fellowship Highlights
The KWI International Fellowship supports innovative and independent academic projects aligned with the institute’s interdisciplinary research focus. Selected fellows will receive:
- A monthly stipend of €3,000 (pre-tax), covering accommodation, insurance, and living expenses.
- Partial reimbursement of travel expenses for arrival and departure.
- Access to private office space, research infrastructure, technical and administrative support, and library services.
- Involvement in public academic events, colloquia, and research networking opportunities.
- Opportunities for collaboration within the Ruhr Alliance of universities.
Please note that additional travel for conferences must be covered from the stipend.
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Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the KWI International Fellowship 2026, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Hold a PhD with up to 6 years of postdoctoral research experience.
- Propose a research project that aligns with KWI’s current interdisciplinary agenda.
- Be available to attend the institute at least three days a week.
- Actively participate in academic activities such as colloquia, lectures, and discussion groups.
- Contribute to the KWI Blog and public research outreach.
- Conduct entry and exit interviews to assess academic progress.
- German citizens may only apply if they are affiliated with international institutions.
- Publications resulting from the fellowship must credit KWI.
Teaching is not mandatory, but fellows can engage in lectures or seminars at local universities if interested.
Required Application Documents
Candidates must submit the following documents in a single PDF file (max 20 MB):
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- List of academic publications
- PhD certificate
- Project proposal (max 5,000 characters)
How to Apply
Follow these steps to apply for the KWI Fellowship 2026:
- Compile all required documents into one PDF (max 20 MB).
- Submit your application via email to: international.fellowship@uni-due.de
- Applications must be submitted in English.
- Do not send application links or files hosted elsewhere due to IT security policy.
- Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
- Final selection will be made by a committee from KWI’s governing board.
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for the KWI International Fellowships 2026 is August 29, 2025, at 24:00 CET. Early applications are highly recommended due to the competitive nature of the fellowship.
Why Apply for KWI Fellowships?
The KWI Fellowships in Germany offer more than just funding. They are designed to support the academic freedom and creativity of researchers. Fellows benefit from a vibrant intellectual community, international exposure, and an opportunity to develop interdisciplinary research with global impact.
Whether you’re exploring the intersections of culture, communication, or social sciences, this fellowship positions you at the heart of one of Europe’s most dynamic academic institutes.
