The Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities (KWI) fellowship programme is designed for excellent researchers from the humanities, cultural studies, and the social sciences. Fellowships are for 6 months from 1 October 2026 until 31 March 2027.
KWI in Essen is an interdisciplinary research institute for the humanities and social sciences in the tradition of institutes for advanced study. Currently, research at KWI focusses on the following areas: science studies, visual literacy, aesthetic practices, constellations of historical impact, dialogues between the cultural and social sciences. An important contribution to the scholarly and political work comes from the Academy in Exile, offering research space to colleagues whose academic freedom is threatened.
The institute provides fellows with modern infrastructure, office space, technical support and offers a library service, event and research management as well as administrative and communicative support. The programme is open to individual researchers only; applications from groups or teams will not be considered.
They invite applications from researchers who have completed their PhD and have up to six years of post-doctoral experience. Applicants are welcome to address career breaks (for care-related reasons or for scholars at risk, etc.) in a cover letter. Project proposals should demonstrate a clear alignment with KWI’s research agenda. The KWI International Fellowship Programme is open to researchers from around the world. German nationals may only apply if they are currently employed at an international institute.
Selected fellows will receive a fellowship contract (not a full-employment contract) and a monthly allowance of 3,000 EUR (pre-tax). This allowance is intended to cover rent, insurances and living expenses. Partial reimbursement of travel expenses for arrival at and departure from KWI is also possible. Fellows are responsible for covering any additional travel expenses, such as those related to conferences, using their allowance.
