The deadlne of the HIAS call for applications for individual research fellowships (3-10 months) for the academic year 2025/26 (Sept 25-June 26) has expired.
The call was open to applicants from all disciplines & research areas and from all countries.
-The Call for Fellowships for the academic year 2026/27 will be published here in the fall of 2024.-
The fellowship program is aimed at outstanding scholars (minimum requirement: doctorate) as well as artists and cultural professionals of all career levels and nationalities. The most important prerequisites for a research fellowship at HIAS are substantial scientific or artistic achievements, intellectual curiosity and an above-average interest in other disciplines. Ideal candidates are individuals who reflect the basic assumptions of their discipline and are open to engage with topics and ways of inquiry beyond the confines of their own discipline. They should also be willing to cooperate with scholars or cultural professionals in Hamburg. Desirably, the applicant enriches both the fellow group and the city of Hamburg as a hub of science and culture with innovative impulses and strengthens their internationality with their own networks.
Since HIAS attaches great importance to equal opportunity, it particularly welcomes applications by early career researchers and emerging artists and cultural professionals as well as by individuals from usually underrepresented regions of the world.
During their fellowship, the fellows live and work in Hamburg. Therefore, only projects that can be carried out on site at HIAS or in laboratories of local cooperation partners are suitable.
To ensure that the fellows enrich the Hamburg science location with their external perspective and expertise, researchers from within the metropolitan region of Hamburg are not eligible for a HIAS fellowship.
The academic year at HIAS begins on 1 September and ends on 30 June of the following year. Applicants can choose between a period of stay of 3 to 10 months. A fellowship can also be started or ended during the academic year, but not during the months of July or August.
HIAS offers:
Utmost freedom and flexibility:
The fellows can pursue their own research projects unimpeded by their usual professional obligations while enjoying interdisciplinary impulses and making many and diverse new contacts. For this, HIAS either pays a stipend to the fellow or reimburses the home institution’s costs of a teaching replacement, following the idea of “no loss no gain”.
Excellent working conditions:
The fellows are offered a fully equipped workspace in the center of Hamburg and continuous assistance by the HIAS staff, for example regarding literature procurement or the organization of workshops (however, HIAS can neither provide an artist studio nor finance one). In order to be fully integrated into the academic or cultural landscape of Hamburg, each fellow will be accompanied by a so-called collaboration partner (a scholar/cultural professional based at one of HIAS’ nine member institutions).
Academic and cultural program:
Fellows attend the weekly colloquia and lunches and are offered participation in additional cultural and scientific excursions.
Excellent and family friendly living conditions:
The fellows are housed in the centrally located guesthouse of Universität Hamburg, which offers fully furnished apartments with cooking facilities. HIAS welcomes accompanying life partners and children and assists in finding suitable schools and day care facilities.
Application
Applications can be uploaded in English as a single PDF file via our application form by April 15, 2024.
An application should comprise the following documents:
- Cover letter with relevant personal data, the desired period of stay as well as possible academic collaboration partners from Hamburg
- List of the most important publications (highlighting the most relevant contributions for the intended research project) (max. 3 pages)
- CV including prizes and other awards
- Description of the planned project (max. 3 pages)
- Description of the planned project for an audience outside the field (max. 1 page)
- Letter of recommendation from a Hamburg cooperation partner, if applicable
By submitting an application, the applicant consents to the purpose-related processing of their personal data contained therein. This data will be passed on to the HIAS committees and, if necessary, to external reviewers.
Evaluation
Evaluation criteria of previous academic or artistic performances are:
- Publications (articles in first authorship, monographs, publications or reviews in relevant academic journals or arts pages and art journals)*
- Prestigious prizes and awards
- Memberships
- Exhibitions in renowned museums or art institutions
- Concerts or performances at renowned stages
- For applicants working in the humanities, social sciences and natural/life sciences: doctorate (minimum)
- Very good knowledge of English
* HIAS takes into account the respective career stage and particularly examines the future potential of early career researchers. Early career researchers are expected to have already published an above-average number of articles in renowned journals according to their discipline; the publication of a monograph is not obligatory. However, a doctorate is required for fellows working in academia.
Evaluation criteria for the intended HIAS project are:
- Is the research project suitable for opening up new questions and ways of thinking?
- Does it offer opportunities to connect with other disciplines or people from outside the discipline?
- Can a suitable tandem partner be identified for this project in Hamburg?
- Is the research project feasible within the framework of HIAS and in Hamburg?
Furthermore, the evaluation will take into account the applicant’s ability to enrich the group intellectually, socially and through their background and perspectives.
We look forward to receiving your application. Please fill out the application form and upload your file there.
Further calls:
Open Call for Constructive Advanced Thinking (CAT) Program 2025-27
As member of the Network of European Institutes for Advanced Study (Netias) HIAS joins the Open Call for the CAT Program 2025-27
Deadline 15 September, 2024
Goals
The aim of the CAT initiative is to foster networks of excellent early-career researchers dedicated to devising new ideas to understand and to tackle current or emerging societal challenges. Although the programme has a strong focus on the societal relevance of the projects, it is entirely blue sky, bottom-up and non-thematic. CAT encourages a collaboration with stakeholders outside academia (industry, policymakers, NGOs…) who are willing to support or engage in innovative research initiatives.
In order to engage in fruitful discussions and mature their ideas, the groups will be given the opportunity to meet for short stays in different participating institutes, and to be put in contact with the institutes’ fellows and local research communities.
With few guidelines and a very light application process, CAT is designed to maximize the creativity of research groups. This call has been incubated in the Network of European Institutes for Advanced Study (NETIAS) and also involves institutes beyond the network. The collaboration between several institutes in different countries aims at giving these groups access to a great variety of high-level thinkers and researchers in order to go beyond the current frontiers of knowledge and to develop highly innovative ideas on how to address very complex societal issues.
Support
CAT will provide teams of early-career researchers (three to five persons) time and space for thought and discussion in the best research environments Europe has to offer. The groups may include one representative of a stakeholder organization related to the theme of the project. During a period of up to three years, teams will benefit from a series of short stays (i.e. between one and two weeks, two to three times a year, for a maximum of six stays) in institutes participating in the program (see list below). Online meetings and digital research stays at the institutes are possible alternatives to onsite stays and can complete the work and time plan of CAT groups.
CAT will cover travel and accommodation expenses for the team meetings/short work stays in the participating institutes. CAT will not fund salaries or research related expenses.
The participating institutes will support the teams by connecting them with the most knowledgeable and experienced researchers onsite as well as digitally, and by helping them valorise the obtained results through their legitimating channels. During their stay, CAT teams will benefit from the institutes’ amenities and conviviality for work and exchanges. Discussions at the institutes will provide a unique sounding board for innovative ideas and will give valuable feedback.
Obligations for CAT groups
At mid-term, the continuation of the institute’s support to the team’s work will be subject to approval after evaluation of a short progress report.
At the end of their project, in addition to the organization of (a) final meeting(s) presenting the results, the CAT teams will be expected to produce a final report in the form of a text, video, website or other media, that will be made public.
In keeping with the policies of the participating institutes, the researchers keep the intellectual property rights to their work.
Eligibility criteria
The project must address emergent societal issues.
- The Principal Investigator (team leader) must have a stable research position in a European (EU as well as UK and associated countries) higher education and/or research institution for the entire duration of the project.
- S/he must have obtained a PhD between January 2015 and September 2024.
- No team member should have obtained his/her PhD before January 2015. Doctoral researchers may also participate.
- The eligibility can be extended beyond 10 years after the PhD for any member of the group for certain properly documented circumstances such as maternity and paternity leaves, clinical training, long-term illness, national service, natural disaster or seeking asylum.
- There is no specific diploma or age requirement for representatives of stakeholder organizations.
- Each team should include participants from at least two different countries (current workplace, including non-European countries; any nationality).
- The team of 3 to 5 persons (stakeholders included) must be fully constituted, with CVs of all members named in the proposa
Applications
Please submit your application documents in English as PDF files (the various parts of the application may be sent as one PDF) here. Applications should include the following materials:
- a 300-word abstract;
- a 3000-word max project proposal (references not included in the count) OR a video of 15 min max (in this case, please include the web link in the abstract), describing the team’s research question and how it plans to address it. The team’s motivation as well as the societal issues addressed and the interdisciplinary aspects of the project should be specified;
- a work plan for the whole project duration, including meetings (tentative dates and possibly preferred hosting IAS) and activities with an indicative calendar;
- a short description of the team
- CVs for each participant and an indication of where they will travel from to the meetings;
- letters of support: at least two letters from academic researchers; additional letters from a stakeholders outside academia are encouraged.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Deadline for applications: 15 September 2024, 15:00 CET
Here is the link to the application plattform.
Successful applications will be notified by the end of January, 2025.
Stays in participating institutes will take place between January 2025 and December 2027.
For further information on the application process and the participating Institutes for Advanced Studies please click here.
FZH-Fellowship in Contemporary Urban History
In cooperation with HIAS, the Research Center for Contemporary History in Hamburg (FZH) invites applications for 2 or 3 fellowships in 2024 on urbanity and urban history in a contemporary historical perspective.
Deadline August 10, 2023
We offer scholars with a track record of relevant research the opportunity to work on their own project in this field in Hamburg. The call is primarily aimed at scholars (PostDoc / Professor) working at universities or research institutions outside of Germany. The duration of the fellowships is up to four months.
We offer Fellows the opportunity to work on their individual research projects and actively engage with the scholarly community at the FZH, the HIAS, and other academic institutions in Hamburg. They participate in public events and colloquia at the FZH and the HIAS and benefit from various opportunities for transdisciplinary exchange and networking. The FZH encourages the use of its research library and its archive as well as other libraries, archives, and research institutions in Hamburg. There are no teaching obligations.
The fellowships entail roundtrip economy travel to Hamburg, a monthly stipend based on current salary, housing at the guesthouse of the Hamburg University – subject to availability – or a housing allowance, and office space. Health insurance assistance can be provided.
Applications inlcuding the following documents may be submitted as a single PDF and in English to strupp@zeitgeschichte-hamburg.de until August 10, 2023:
- A cover letter outlining the applicant’s motivation and the link between his or her research and the thematic focus of the FZH as well as information on the preferred date of the research visit.#
- Description of the planned research project (max. 1,000 words).
- CV including a list of relevant publications
Click here for the entire call.
For further information on the coorperation with FZH, click here.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Christoph Strupp (Email: strupp@zeitgeschichte-hamburg.de; Tel.: ++49 40 43139732).
Fellowship for Ukrainian Scholars / Cultural Professionals at Risk
*** Currently this call is paused until further notice ***
HIAS supports the initiative Science Bridge for Ukraine of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and awards with immediate effect
up to 3 Fellowships for
Ukrainian Scholars / Cultural Professionals at Risk
€ 2,000 / month I Duration 3 – 10 months
As a Fellow, the academic or cultural professional will join the ongoing interdisciplinary and international fellowship programme, which includes the following services:
- an office space in the centre of Hamburg
- technical equipment
- support in research or other tasks
- participation in interdisciplinary colloquia and events
- integration into Hamburg’s scientific or cultural community through a cooperation with Hamburg based colleagues
- advice and support regarding accommodation, childcare and administrative tasks.
In addition, HIAS pays a monthly stipend of about € 2,000 (depending on family status).
The following conditions must be met:
- the applicant is a scientist (from postdoc onwards) or a cultural professional (with a Master’s degree) and can speak English (level B)
- the applicant lives in Ukraine at risk due to the political situation (and has no other residence in Hamburg)
- the applicant has already fled Ukraine or will have to flee Ukraine
- the applicant does not have any employer in Hamburg
- the applicant is willing to continue his/her work in a safe environment and in active exchange with international colleagues.
In order to react as quickly as possible to the political situation, the applicant is not required to submit a detailed application.
Please send the following documents and information informally and in English by e-mail with reference “Ukraine” to application@hias-hamburg.de:
- CV incl. proof of academic degree (scientists from postdoc onwards; cultural professionals from Master’s degree onwards)
- information on a planned scientific or cultural project/ topic at HIAS (maximum one page)
- name of a desired cooperation partner in Hamburg (a scientist or cultural worker from one of Hamburg’s institutions, possible institutions here)
- information about accompanying family members
- information about the current stay
- indication of the desired fellowship period
If you have any questions or require advice, please contact us at geschaeftsstelle@hias-hamburg.de.
CALAS/HIAS Fellowship in Germany 2025 (Hamburg – Kassel)
The Maria Sibylla Merian Centre for Advanced Latin American Studies (CALAS) and the Hamburg Institute for Advanced Study (HIAS) are inviting leading scholars and scientists from Latin American institutions to carry out teaching and research projects for four months in Hamburg and two months in Kassel.
This year’s call for applications is related to the topic of political rights and democracy in Latin America. Latin America’s democracies are facing major challenges: Social inequalities and economic crises are worsening and fuelling political instability; Right-wing extremism and populism exploit this dissatisfaction and run the risk of further polarising Latin America’s societies; Liberal democratic regimes are reaching their limits in terms of regulating political unrest and social tensions and containing the rise of an anti-democratic right. Similar developments can currently be observed in Europe. The aim of the CALAS/HIAS fellowship is to analyze the political, cultural, and social consequences of the (de)-democratizing developments in Latin America from an interdisciplinary perspective. The current escalation of intolerance and discrimination will be examined alongside the radicalization of political, economic, religious, and cultural differences. It will also investigate the emergence and tactics employed by radical right-wing factions openly defying and undermining the principles and mechanisms of the democratic process or how tolerance, dialogue, and inclusive political processes can be strengthened through cultural performance, civil society representation, or social movements, what significance these developments in Latin America have for Europe, and to what extent alternative participatory processes for sustainable development are emerging in the midst of the crisis of democracy.
Researchers from all disciplines and at all stages of their careers, from postdoctoral level onwards, are welcome to apply. This call is open to candidates from all Latin American countries and covers a wide range of disciplines, such as political economy, social sciences, and humanities.
Candidates are required to be internationally recognized in their areas of specialization, to demonstrate creativity and originality in their interdisciplinary approaches, and to show a willingness to integrate into a community of academics, scientists, and researchers. In addition, candidates are expected to interact with the general public through lectures and other similar activities. A solid proficiency in English, both in written and oral expression, is crucial.
The CALAS/HIAS scholarship offers competitive compensation for a four-month stay at HIAS in Hamburg (February to May) and two months at CALAS/CELA at the University of Kassel (June and July), subject to approval of the project extension. This scholarship programme provides a monthly stipend for living expenses, health insurance, working materials, visa, and other associated costs. In Hamburg, an apartment at the Universität Hamburg’s guest house is provided. For those applicants who maintain their salary in a permanent position, the scholarship can be used to fund a teaching replacement during their absence. In addition, the scholarship will cover the costs of airfare to and from Germany.
CALAS/HIAS fellows are required to reside at the respective CALAS or HIAS cities throughout the duration of the scholarship and to participate in the activities and events organized by the corresponding institution.
During the stay, HIAS and the University of Kassel will provide the visiting scholarship holder with a workplace with Internet access and the university’s infrastructure (library, etc.). In addition, they will receive support in finding accommodation, completing bureaucratic formalities on-site, obtaining the necessary visa, etc.
CALAS/HIAS is committed to inclusive and gender parity. Applications from people with special needs are expressly welcomed. CALAS/HIAS also welcomes partners and accompanying children of scholarship holders.
Planned tasks for the CALAS/HIAS fellowship in Hamburg and Kassel:
- Develop a research project that is related to the thematic focus of CALAS and its research
questions. - Publish the results of the research (scientific article/s).
- Teach a Bachelor’s or Master’s course in Social Sciences at the University of Kassel (German or English).
- Carry out at least one public academic activity (lecture or conference) at each host institution
during the stay. - Prepare a 10-page final report on all activities carried out during the period of the fellowship.
Application:
You must fill in the online application form and include the following documents in ENGLISH and SPANISH:
- Motivation letter stating how the project fits into the thematic focus of the call and what your
expectations are. - 2-page curriculum vitae and a list of relevant publications.
- Summary of the research project, including a timeline and work plan, with a maximum of 20
bibliographical sources (max. 8 pages/2,000 words). The proposed project establishes new
perspectives/ways of thinking and shows potential for connections with other disciplines. - Proposal for an interdisciplinary course to be taught (English or German) at the University of
Kassel (max. 1 page with title and short description of the course). - Copy of the most recent academic degree.
Timeline:
Deadline for submission of application: May 31, 2024
Announcement of results: July 31, 2024
Start of the fellowship: February 1, 2025 (February to May in Hamburg; June and July in Kassel).
Further information on the CALAS/HIAS fellowships:
Prof. Dr. Hans-Jürgen Burchardt, Kassel University
E-mail: merian.calas@gmail.com