Deadline: 28-Feb-2026
The KWI Fellowship Programme supports outstanding postdoctoral researchers in the humanities worldwide by offering funding, research infrastructure, and an interdisciplinary academic environment in Germany, with a strong focus on innovative, internationally oriented research aligned with KWI’s thematic agenda.
About the Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities
The Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities (KWI) provides a dynamic space for independent, innovative research in the humanities while actively engaging the public.
KWI promotes interdisciplinary scholarship and dialogue between philology, cultural studies, and the social sciences, with a strong commitment to international collaboration and academic freedom.
A core part of KWI’s mission is the Academy in Exile, which supports scholars whose academic freedom is under threat by offering them a secure research environment.
Key Research Areas at KWI
KWI focuses on interconnected thematic fields that encourage cross-disciplinary inquiry.
Its main research areas include:
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Science studies
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Visual literacy
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Aesthetic practices
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Constellations of historical impact
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Dialogues between the cultural and social sciences
A central objective of the institute is to develop new ways of linking research questions, theories, methods, and concepts across disciplines.
Overview of the KWI Fellowship Programme
The KWI Fellowship Programme is designed for outstanding individual researchers in the humanities.
The programme offers fellows a highly supportive academic environment, enabling focused research while actively participating in the intellectual life of the institute.
Applications from groups or research teams are not eligible, as the fellowship strictly supports individual scholars.
Financial Support and Benefits
Selected fellows will receive a fellowship contract, not a full employment contract.
Fellowship benefits include:
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A monthly allowance of €3,000 before tax, intended to cover living expenses such as rent and insurance
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Partial reimbursement of travel costs for arrival and departure
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Access to modern office space and technical infrastructure
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Comprehensive academic and administrative support
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Library access and research management services
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Communication and event support
Any additional travel costs beyond the partial reimbursement must be covered by the fellow.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the KWI Fellowship, applicants must meet all requirements outlined below.
Academic Qualifications
Applicants must:
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Have completed a PhD
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Have no more than six years of postdoctoral experience, counted from the date of PhD completion
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Hold a PhD awarded in 2020 or later
Career Breaks
Applicants may explain career interruptions in a cover letter, including:
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Care-related responsibilities
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Circumstances faced by scholars at risk
These explanations will be considered during the evaluation process.
Nationality Requirements
The fellowship is open to researchers worldwide.
German nationals are eligible only if they are currently employed at an international institute.
Research Focus and Expectations
The proposed research project must be clearly aligned with KWI’s programmatic agenda.
The fellowship is intended to support research activities such as:
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Completing a book manuscript or special journal issue
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Finalising a research grant proposal
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Establishing a research group
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Developing collaborations with universities within the Ruhr Alliance
Fellows are expected to be present at KWI at least three days per week and to participate in both entry and exit interviews.
Academic Engagement and Responsibilities
Active participation in KWI’s academic life is a core requirement of the fellowship.
Fellows are expected to contribute to:
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Colloquia and academic lectures
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Conferences and workshops
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Reading groups and discussion forums
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The KWI Blog
Teaching is not mandatory, but fellows may optionally participate in lecture series or seminars at nearby universities.
Any publications produced during the fellowship period must formally acknowledge KWI.
Language and Programme Structure
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The fellowship programme operates entirely in English
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Knowledge of German is not required
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Fellows must begin on the fixed start date of October 1, as start and end dates cannot be changed
Application Requirements
Applications must be submitted electronically as a single PDF file.
Key application requirements include:
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Maximum file size of 20 MB
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Application written in English
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Submission as one combined PDF file
The application must include:
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Curriculum Vitae (CV)
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List of publications
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PhD certificate
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Project proposal of up to 5,000 characters
Selection Process
Incomplete applications or those that do not meet submission requirements will not be considered.
Applications will be rejected if they are:
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Submitted after the deadline
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Incomplete
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Sent in multiple files
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Exceeding the project proposal length
Fellows are selected by a committee composed of members of the KWI governing board and the institute’s director.
Why the KWI Fellowship Matters
The KWI Fellowship offers a rare opportunity for postdoctoral researchers to pursue independent, high-level humanities research in a vibrant interdisciplinary environment. By combining financial support, academic freedom, and international collaboration, the programme enables fellows to deepen their scholarship while contributing to critical debates in the humanities and social sciences.
For more information, visit KWI.
