Submissions open for Józef Tischner Fellowship Program (Poland)

Deadline: 10-Feb-2026

The Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) invites Polish scholars in the humanities and social sciences to apply for the Józef Tischner Fellowship Program. Fellowships provide 4-month research stays in Vienna with monthly stipends up to EUR 3,300, office space, and full academic integration, supporting both doctoral and postdoctoral candidates.

Program Overview

The Józef Tischner Fellowship Program supports scholars in all academic disciplines within the humanities and social sciences. Selected candidates will spend a term of four consecutive months at the IWM in Vienna between September 2026 and June 2027 as Junior Visiting Fellows, pursuing their individual research projects while joining the IWM academic community.

Fellowship Benefits

• Postdoctoral Fellows: Monthly stipend of EUR 3,300

• Doctoral Fellows: Monthly stipend of EUR 2,750

• Coverage: Stipend includes living expenses and research-related costs; IWM provides office space, internet access, research facilities, and administrative support.

• Community Integration: Fellows are encouraged to participate in IWM events and activities.

• Duration: Begins on the first day of the fellowship month and ends on the last day of the final month.

Eligibility Criteria

• Citizenship/Residency: Must be a Polish citizen or permanent resident of Poland.

• Academic Status:

  • Doctoral candidates currently enrolled in a humanities or social sciences program.

  • Postdoctoral candidates who completed their PhD no earlier than 10 February 2022.

• Application Restrictions:

  • Only one application per academic year.

  • Previous fellowship recipients must wait two years before reapplying.

  • Applicants cannot reapply for the same named fellowship program.

Application Requirements

Applications must be submitted exclusively online. Emailed applications are not accepted. Required documents include:

1. Letter of Motivation

2. Project Description: 550 characters

3. Project Proposal: 7,500 characters detailing objectives, current state of research, methods, and work plan

4. Curriculum Vitae including publications

5. Two Letters of Recommendation submitted directly by referees

• All documents must be in English and uploaded as a single PDF with Latin characters in the file name.

How Applications Are Evaluated

• Eligible applications meeting formal and thematic requirements are reviewed by a jury of experts.

• Scoring considers clarity, originality, feasibility, and relevance of the research proposal.

• Applicants will be informed of results by 30 April 2026.

• The jury is not obligated to provide justification or individual feedback.

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: Tuesday, 10 February 2026, 23:59 CET

• Notification of Results: By 30 April 2026

• Fellowship Period: September 2026 – June 2027 (4 consecutive months per term)

Why This Fellowship Matters

• Provides financial and institutional support for innovative research in humanities and social sciences.

• Integrates fellows into an active academic community at the IWM Vienna, fostering collaboration and interdisciplinary exchange.

• Enables scholars to focus intensively on research while gaining access to state-of-the-art facilities and mentoring.

• Enhances international visibility and career development for Polish scholars in the global academic landscape.

Common Tips for Applicants

• Ensure your proposal is well-structured, detailed, and methodologically sound.

• Include specific objectives, clear work plan, and research relevance.

• Confirm referees submit letters of recommendation directly before the deadline.

• Use Latin characters in the PDF file name and ensure the document is fully in English.

• Apply well before the deadline to avoid technical or submission errors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who is eligible to apply? Polish citizens or permanent residents enrolled in a doctoral program or postdoctoral scholars who earned their PhD after 10 February 2022.
2. What is the duration of the fellowship? Four consecutive months at the IWM in Vienna.
3. What financial support is provided? EUR 2,750/month for doctoral fellows, EUR 3,300/month for postdoctoral fellows; stipend covers living and research expenses.
4. Can previous fellowship recipients reapply? Yes, after a two-year waiting period, but not for the same named fellowship.
5. How should recommendations be submitted? Referees must submit letters directly via the online system.
6. Are multiple applications allowed? No, only one application per applicant per academic year.
7. When will applicants be notified? By 30 April 2026.

Conclusion

The Józef Tischner Fellowship Program offers a unique opportunity for Polish scholars to advance their research in the humanities and social sciences within a dynamic academic environment in Vienna. With financial support, dedicated facilities, and integration into the IWM community, fellows can pursue innovative projects that contribute to academic excellence and international collaboration.

For more information, visit IWM.