The Jan Patočka Fellowship 2026–2027 is now open for applications. This program gives scholars in the humanities and social sciences a chance to spend five months at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna. Fellows will get a monthly stipend, office space, internet and full school support while working on projects that rethink Europe and link to world debates. The fellowship welcomes research in areas like philosophy, history, geopolitics, modernity, war and technology. It is for ambitious scholars who want to give new ideas about Europe’s future.
Jan Patočka Fellowship Summary
| Country | Austria |
| Location | Vienna |
| Institution | Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) |
| Duration | 5 months |
| Coverage | Funded |
| Deadline | 10 February 2026 at 23:59 CET |
About the Jan Patočka Fellowship
The fellowship is named after Jan Patočka a Czech thinker who loved freedom and truth. The Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna is a place for deep ideas. Fellows work on projects about Europe past, present and future. Topics can include war tech modernity or global views. You join talks seminars and meet other smart people. The goal is to make new thoughts that help the world.
Also See: Ocean Leaders Fellowship 2026 (Fully Funded)
Fellowship Benefits
You get good help to focus on research.
- Monthly stipend EUR 3,300 for postdocs or EUR 2,750 for PhD students.
- Free office with internet.
- Access to library and events.
- Help from staff.
- Chance to give talks.
- No teaching so full time on your work. You must live in Vienna the whole time.
Eligibility Criteria
You can apply for this fellowship if one of these is true:
- You are currently a PhD student in the humanities or social sciences, OR
- You already finished your PhD in these fields within the last 4 years.
- To be clear, your PhD must have been awarded after February 10, 2022.
There are a few key requirements you should know before you apply:
- Only one application per year: You can apply for only one fellowship at the IWM in the same academic year.
- Waiting period if you’ve had a fellowship before: If you have received a resident fellowship from the IWM before, you must wait two academic years before you can apply again for any of their fellowships.
- No repeats for this specific fellowship: If you have already been awarded the Jan Patočka Junior Visiting Fellowship itself in the past, you cannot apply for it again.
- It is open to all countries.
Required Documents
You send online.
- Motivation letter about why IWM helps your work.
- Short project description max 550 characters.
- Full research proposal max 7,500 characters with goals methods and plan.
- CV with your publications.
- Two recommendation letters (referees send direct).
Fellowship Dates / Deadline
Applications open now. Deadline is 10 February 2026 at 23:59 CET. Fellowship starts October 2026. Apply soon to prepare good proposal.
How to Apply For Jan Patočka Fellowship
The process is online. First go to IWM site. Then fill the application form. Next upload motivation short description proposal and CV. Give referee emails so they send letters. Submit before deadline. They read all and pick fellows.
Apply: https://www.iwm.at/calls/jan-patocka-fellowship-26-27
