Germany KWI International Fellowships 2026-2027 | Application Process

The KWI International Fellowship 2026-2027 is a six-month fully funded research stay at the Kulturwissenschaftliches Institut Essen (KWI) in Germany for early-career international researchers in humanities cultural studies or social sciences. Fellows get a monthly stipend (around €3,000), partial travel costs, office space and full support to work on their project from April 1 to September 30, 2026. Open to non-German nationals with PhD and up to six years postdoc experience, your project must fit KWI themes like society change or culture. Applications close around Feb 2026. More details are below.

Key Points:

• Full Research Focus: No teaching or admin tasks just time for your work.
• Top Resources: Use modern tools and join a leading research group.
• Global Applicants: Open to scholars worldwide Germans must be based abroad.
• Mixed Disciplines: Great for those in humanities cultural studies and social sciences.
• Six Months of Research: A full term to work in a smart and inspiring place.

Also See: James Buchanan Fellowship 2026-2027 (Fully Funded)

KWI International Fellowships Summary

About the KWI International Fellowship

KWI is a top institute in Essen for humanities and social sciences. It works like advanced study places where you focus on research. The fellowship brings people from many countries to share ideas. You join talks, workshops and trips. Past fellows worked on topics like digital culture, society problems and art history. The institute has good library, modern offices and events. You live in Essen a nice city with parks and close to big towns.

Fellowship Benefits

You get help to do your work.

• Monthly stipend about €3,000 before tax for living.
• Part pay for travel to and from Germany.
• Free office space and computer help.
• Full library and event support.
• Insurance cover.
• Chance to give talks and write for KWI blog.
• Meet other fellows and experts. No teaching so full time on your project.

Also See: Oxford Accelerator Fellowship Program 2026

Fellowship Opportunities

1. KWI International Fellowship

The fellowship is open to international researchers. They must have a PhD and less than six years of postdoc experience. Germans must be based at an international institution to apply.

2. Thyssen@KWI Fellowship

This fellowship is Funded by the Fritz Thyssen Foundation. It helps scholars who have a few years of post-doctoral experience and strong ties to international research.

Eligibility Criteria

You must:

• Have finished PhD with up to six years postdoc work.
• Come from outside Germany (Germans only if work abroad).
• Have strong project in humanities cultural studies or social sciences.
• Fit KWI current themes (check site).
• Speak English well (main language). Open to all countries.

How to Apply For KWI International Fellowships

Easy by email.

1. Check KWI site for call and form.
2. Write your project to fit their themes.
3. Put all in one PDF.
4. Send to international.fellowship@uni-due.de
5. Use subject like KWI Fellowship Application.
6. They read and pick best.
7. If yes plan your stay.