Overview
Apply for the Joint Fellowship Program of HIAS and IFSH in Hamburg, Germany. The 3–9 month on-site research fellowship is open to outstanding scholars with a doctorate. Applications close November 16, 2026.
Complete fellowship details
Applications are now open for the Joint Fellowship Program of HIAS and IFSH in Germany. This fellowship invites outstanding scholars to complete a 3–9 month on-site research stay in Hamburg.
The program is designed for researchers with a doctorate and a strong academic record. In addition, fellows will work with an IFSH-based tandem partner and take part in the HIAS academic programme during their stay.
Application Deadline: 16 November 2026
Tell Me About The Award:
The Joint Fellowship Program of HIAS and IFSH offers outstanding scholars an opportunity to undertake a research stay at IFSH, one of Germany’s leading research institutions in peace and security studies, while participating in the interdisciplinary academic environment of HIAS.
The fellowship is based in Hamburg, Germany , and supports independent research projects that benefit from interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration with scholars at IFSH and fellows at HIAS.
Which Fields are Eligible?
The fellowship particularly welcomes projects related to:
Peace and security
Political violence
Fascism
Polarisation
Radicalisation and counterterrorism
Great power conflict
Arms dynamics and deterrence
Strategic stability
Emerging technologies and cybersecurity
European security architecture
European regional security organisations
Future of European security
Climate change and security
Polycrisis
Disaster response and preparedness
Crisis resilience and civil protection
Interdisciplinary projects connecting these areas are particularly welcome.
Applicants from humanities, social sciences, and natural/life sciences may apply.
Artists, policymakers and other professionals may also be considered if their work is closely related to the programme’s research focus and engages substantively with scholarly inquiry.
Type:
Research fellowship.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must:
Hold a doctorate as a minimum requirement for academic applicants.
Have publications in relevant academic journals or comparable publication outlets.
Demonstrate an interdisciplinary and international research profile.
Have relevant research experience in the fellowship programme’s core research topics.
Have a very good command of English.
Be willing to collaborate with an IFSH tandem partner.
Be able to carry out their research project on-site in Hamburg.
Applicants from within the metropolitan region of Hamburg are not eligible .
The programme particularly welcomes applications from female and non-binary scholars, early-career researchers, and individuals from regions that are usually underrepresented in research and academia.
How Are Applicants Selected?
Selection considers both the applicant’s profile and the proposed research project.
Applicant evaluation criteria include:
Doctorate.
Relevant publications.
Interdisciplinary and international research profile.
Relevant research experience.
Prestigious prizes and awards.
English-language proficiency.
Future potential, particularly for early-career researchers.
Project evaluation considers whether:
The project opens up new questions and ways of thinking.
It benefits from interaction with other disciplines.
It addresses the programme’s core research topics.
It fits an Institute for Advanced Study environment.
A suitable IFSH tandem partner can be identified.
The project is feasible within the HIAS, IFSH and Hamburg research environment.
Which Countries Are Eligible?
The source does not specify a list of eligible countries.
It states that diversity in countries of origin is considered in the composition of the fellow cohort and particularly welcomes applicants from regions usually underrepresented in research and academia.
Where Will the Award Be Taken?
The fellowship is based in Hamburg, Germany .
Fellows live and work on-site at HIAS and IFSH and receive a fully equipped workspace in central Hamburg.
How Many Awards?
The source does not specify the number of fellowships available.
What Is the Benefit of the Award?
The fellowship provides:
Funding through a stipend to the fellow or reimbursement of the home institution’s costs of a teaching replacement.
A fully equipped workspace in central Hamburg.
Continuous support from HIAS and IFSH teams.
An academic tandem partner based at IFSH.
Access to relevant local research networks and infrastructure.
Support from HIAS in identifying potential cooperation partners at its member institutions.
Participation in the HIAS academic programme.
Access to interdisciplinary exchange with other fellows and scholars.
Potential accommodation in the University of Hamburg’s centrally located guesthouse, subject to availability.
Support for accompanying partners and children in finding accommodation, schools and daycare facilities.
Fellows are required to participate actively in the academic programme, including weekly lunches and colloquia/dinners at HIAS.
How Long Will the Award Last?
The fellowship period must be:
At least 3 months
No more than 9 months
The earliest possible start date is October 2027 .
The academic year normally runs from 1 October to 30 June of the following year. July, August and September are not fellowship months.
Applicants must indicate their preferred period of stay.
How to Apply:
Applications must be submitted in English as a single PDF file through the application form by 16 November 2026 .
The application should include:
Cover letter stating:
Desired period of stay.
Possible academic tandem partner(s) from IFSH.
Possible partial financing through sabbatical or paid leave, if applicable.
How the applicant’s research profile would enrich the fellow group, IFSH and the Hamburg research environment.
Letter of intent from the prospective tandem partner, if already available (maximum 1 page).
List of most important publications (maximum 2 pages).
CV including prizes and awards.
Description of the planned project (maximum 3 pages).
Project description for a non-specialist audience (maximum 1 page).
Optional link to an online video, talk or lecture.
A letter of intent from a tandem partner is only required if the applicant and prospective partner already know each other and intend to collaborate. Naming a potential tandem partner is sufficient if there has been no prior contact.
👉 Visit the Application Webpage for Details
Tips for this fellowship
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