KWI International Fellowships
The KWI International Fellowships invite early-career researchers from the humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences to conduct research in Essen, Germany. Selected scholars receive a monthly stipend and comprehensive logistical support.
Overview
The Kulturwissenschaftliches Institut Essen (KWI) International Fellowships offer international researchers an opportunity to pursue independent research within an interdisciplinary environment. Successful candidates join the institute to work on projects aligned with KWI's core research themes, including science studies, visual literacy, aesthetic practices, historical impact constellations, and the dialogue between cultural and social sciences.
Benefits
- Monthly allowance of €3,000 (pre-tax) to cover living costs, rent, and insurance
- Partial reimbursement of travel expenses for arrival and departure
- Fully equipped office space, research infrastructure, and technical support
- Access to library services, event management, and administrative support
Eligibility
- Open to international scholars worldwide in the humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences
- Applicants must hold a completed PhD and possess up to six years of postdoctoral research experience (R2 career stage, calculated from PhD completion in 2021 or later; career interruptions can be explained in the cover letter)
- German nationals are eligible only if they are currently employed at an international institution
- Individual applications only; group or team applications are ineligible
- Proficiency in English is required; knowledge of German is not mandatory
- Research proposals must fit within KWI's programmatic agenda
How to Apply
Candidates must assemble their application materials in English and merge them into a single PDF file (maximum file size 20 MB). Required documents include a detailed curriculum vitae, a publication list, a PhD certificate, and a concise project proposal outlining the planned KWI research project within a 5,000-character limit.
Applications must be submitted electronically via email to [email protected]. Submissions via external platform links are not permitted due to IT safety regulations.
Deadline
The application deadline is 17 August 2026 at 24:00 midnight CET.