The Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) offers the Lesia Ukraїnka Fellowship for scholars in the humanities and social sciences, prioritizing research connected to Ukraine, feminism, literary history, anti-imperialism, and disability studies. Fellowships provide a three-month residency in Vienna with stipends of EUR 2,750–3,300/month. Applications close January 16, 2026.

Overview

The Lesia Ukraїnka Junior Visiting Fellowship supports outstanding scholars exploring global cultural, social, or political issues related to Ukraine. The program provides residency at IWM Vienna, access to research facilities, and integration into the institute’s academic community.

Fellowship Details

Duration: Continuous three-month term between September 2026 and June 2027
Residency Benefits:
- Office space and internet access
- Research facilities and administrative support
- Participation in IWM academic activities
Monthly Stipend:
- Postdoctoral researchers: EUR 3,300
- Doctoral candidates: EUR 2,750
Stipend covers living expenses, including travel, accommodation, health insurance, utilities, transport, telecommunications, and research costs

Eligibility

Scholars in humanities or social sciences
Doctoral candidates must be enrolled in a program; postdocs must have defended their PhD no earlier than 16 January 2022
Applicants currently based in Ukraine or with projects connected to Ukraine are prioritized
Only one fellowship application per academic year
Previous IWM residents of the same fellowship must wait two academic years to reapply

Research Focus Priorities

Feminism and gender studies
Literary history
Anti-imperialism
Illness or disability
Global cultural, social, or political issues connected to Ukraine

Application Requirements

All documents must be submitted in English via the online form in a single PDF:

Letter of Motivation
Project Description: Up to 550 characters (including spaces)
Project Proposal: Up to 7,500 characters (including spaces) detailing objectives, current research, methodology, and work plan
Curriculum Vitae with publications
Two Recommendation Letters submitted directly by referees
File names must use Latin characters only

Key Dates

Application Deadline: 16 January 2026, 23:59 CET
Notification of Decision: 30 April 2026
Decisions by the expert jury are final and not subject to feedback

How to Apply

Prepare all required documents in English
Compile into a single PDF
Submit exclusively through the IWM online application portal
Ensure recommendation letters are submitted directly by referees
Await notification of the jury’s decision by 30 April 2026

Why This Fellowship Matters

The Lesia Ukraїnka Fellowship enables scholars to advance research on Ukraine-related global issues while benefiting from an international academic environment in Vienna. Fellows gain resources, mentorship, and connections that enhance the impact and visibility of their research in the humanities and social sciences.