HIAS appoints outstanding scholars and artists from all parts of the world, who are granted full freedom to pursue their own research projects under excellent on-site conditions in Hamburg for a period of three to ten months.
HIAS aims to provide scholars and researchers, as well as artists, and cultural practicioners of distinction with a space of intellectual freedom in which to pursue their own projects, unencumbered by their usual professional obligations.
The appointment of fellows is conducted mainly via calls for applications. Nominations may also be made by affiliates of HIAS member institutions, as well as personally by members of the Institute’s Executive Committee. HIAS seeks to create a group of fellows that is as diverse and stimulating as possible in terms of academic or artistic disciplines, countries of origin, and career stages. HIAS places particular emphasis on supporting promising early-career scholars as well as emerging artists and cultural practitioners.
Tandem Partnership
Outstanding local scholars and researchers serve as tandem partners in order to facilitate and ensure the fellows’ integration into Hamburg’s academic community. Thus, direct access to specific local research infrastructure, if desired, can be provided.
Andrea Frisch, Fellow 2021/2022 of the ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS in Hamburg, about her experiences with her tandem partner Markus Friedrich of Universität Hamburg:
Utmost Freedom and Flexibility
HIAS’ research profile is not limited by any specific disciplinary foci. A fellow’s research and stay is characterized by a maximum of freedom. Fellows are only expected to stay in Hamburg for the entire duration of their fellowship and to interact with each other, for example by participating in events organized by the Institute for its fellows. In order to provide ideal conditions for communication and cooperation with local scholars and scientists, HIAS follows the academic year in Hamburg, which usually runs from mid-October to the end of January (winter semester) and from mid-April to mid-July (summer semester). A fellowship therefore begins no earlier than September 1 and ends no later than June 30 of the following year.
Lutz Rademacher, Fellow 2021/2022 funded by Universität Hamburg, about his experience at HIAS:
Housing
The fellows are housed in Universität Hamburg’s guesthouse, which offers fully furnished apartments for single tenants, couples, and families of up to four. All units are equipped with a kitchenette, a half or full bath, and WiFi connection.
The guesthouse is centrally located. It is an essential feature of the neighborhood that everything is within walking distance. Nearby shops, restaurants, bars, and various cultural institutions make up its urban environment.
It is about half a kilometer (a third of a mile) away from an international train station and about a twenty-minute drive from Hamburg’s international airport.
Urban Wiesing, Fellow 2021/2022 funded by the Joachim Herz Foundation, and Oliver Schmidtke, Fellow 2021/2022 funded by the Universität Hamburg, about their experience at HIAS:
Services for Families
HIAS welcomes accompanying life partners and children of fellows. The HIAS team assists fellows in finding suitable schools and day care facilities. Both the HIAS head office as well as the guesthouse are located in a leafy neighborhood adjacent to Universität Hamburg’s main campus in the city center with excellent access to public transportation as well as numerous playgrounds and daycare facilities within walking distance.
Racha Kirakosian, Fellow 2021/2022 of the Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Hamburg, about her experiences as a young mother at HIAS:
Library Service
Each scholar has access to digital databases through their private workstation. In addition, the HIAS team is happy to assist in researching and obtaining literature and other media.
Working Facilities
HIAS provides each fellow with a private furnished workspace. IT Services offer fellows individual service and support. Personal devices can be connected to the network.
Matthew Gandy, Fellow 2021/2022 funded by the Universität Hamburg, about his experience at HIAS:
Financial Arrangements
The main value of a fellowship is the opportunity to pursue one’s own research project free from normal professional obligations, while enjoying interdisciplinary impulses and making many new contacts. Nevertheless, a fellow’s stay at HIAS should not result in any financial loss. The details of each fellowship will be determined in an individual financial agreement that HIAS will enter into with each fellow, taking into account each fellow’s unique situation with respect to their particular career stage, home institution, and country.