To all aspiring students in the humanities and social sciences, do you want to have an immersive research experience in one of the leading interdisciplinary research institutes in Germany through a fully funded fellowship program? Here is some exciting news: applications are now open for the KWI Institute International Fellowships 2026. A prestigious fellowship hosted by the KWI (Institute for Advanced Study in Humanities) located in the Ruhr Area, Germany, offers an incredible and exceptional opportunity to outstanding early-career professionals from around the world to conduct independent and innovative research in the humanities, social sciences, cultural studies, and related fields.
The duration of the KWI fellowship program is 6 months, scheduled from October 1, 2026, until March 31, 2027. The institute offers fellows a wide range of perks and benefits, including a monthly stipend, insurance, travel expenses, modern research infrastructure, dedicated office space, and technical, administrative, and communicative support. The fellowship is open to individuals; applications from groups and teams will not be entertained. The application process for the KWI Internship fellowship is online; no application fee is associated with the programme. Individuals interested in the fellowship need to submit their applications by February 28th, 2026. Learn more about the KWI fellowships below.
KWI International Fellowship 2026 in Germany: Overview
| Host Institute | Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities (KWI) |
|---|---|
| Programme Type | Fellowship |
| Coverage | Fully Funded |
| Duration | 6 Months |
| Fellowship Dates | October 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027 |
| Application Deadline | February 28, 2026 |
Also, Check: Purdue University Research Fellowship 2026 in USA
Research Areas
The KWI fellowship programme is offered in a wide range of research topics within the Cultural studies, Humanities, and social sciences; however, the institute encourages individuals to submita proposal in the following KWI focus research areas:
- Science Studies
- Aesthetic Practice
- Visual Literacy
- Constellations of Historical Impact
- Dialogues between the Culture and Social Sciences
KWI Fellowship Program Eligiblity Criteria
KWI Institute is inviting applications from individuals meeting the following criteria:
- The KWI fellowship is open to all nationals
- Calling applications from excellent researchers holding a minimum PhD degree with up to 6 years of post-doctoral experience
- Applicants’ proposed research must align with the institute’s research areas
- Proficiency in the English language, both spoken and written
- Committed to attending the entire fellowship in Essen, Germany, during the fellowship dates
- German nationals can only apply if they are employed at an international institute outside Germany
Fellowship Coverage
- The KWI institutes offer generous support to their fellows, which includes:
- A competetive monthly stipend of €3,000 to cover health insurance, living expenses, and accommodation forthe program duration
- Reimbursement of round-trip air travel costs to/from Germany
Benefits
- Fellows will carry out dynamic research in state of the art facilities
- The institute offers technical, administrative, and communicative support
- A dedicated office space for the duration of the fellowship
- Access to the institute’s modern facilities
- Fellows can participate in lecture series and seminars if they want
- Broaden their network with international scholars and researchers
- Gain hands-on research experience under the mentorship of KWI experts
- The fellowship will be held in the English language, removing the language barrier for international students
Required Documents
The following documents need to be submitted in English:
- An updated CV/Resume
- List of Publications
- A PhD degree certificate
- Research Proposal aligned with KWI project (Max 5000 Words)
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How to Apply?
The application process for the EWI fellowship is simple and straightforward. Individuals meeting the required criteria need to submit the documents mentioned above in a single PDF file not exceeding 20 MB to the email address international.fellowship@uni-due.de
Note: Incomplete applications and applications submitted after the due date will not be entertained.
Deadline: 28 Februrary 2026, 2026, 24:00 (midnight, CET).
