FRIAS Fellowships 2026/27 – University of Freiburg, Germany

About the Fellowship

The Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS) at the University of Freiburg invites applications for its 2026/27 Fellowship Programmes. These fully funded opportunities are open to outstanding researchers from all disciplines and career stages.

FRIAS offers a vibrant interdisciplinary environment that encourages innovation, intellectual exchange, and independent research. In addition, fellows benefit from dedicated time, office space, mobility support, and full access to University of Freiburg resources. Depending on the programme, residencies range from three to ten months, providing an ideal academic setting to advance research. Moreover, FRIAS supports early-career and senior scholars from Germany and around the world. Through its prestigious programmes, FRIAS fosters global collaboration and is committed to promoting research excellence across fields.

Fellowship / Details

Position Title: FRIAS Fellowships 2026/27
Host Institution: Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), University of Freiburg
Administering Body / Funding Agency: University of Freiburg
Location: Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Research Field(s): All disciplines supported at the University of Freiburg; Humanities and Social Sciences (Sustainable Governance Programme)
Fellowship Type: Research Fellowship
Level: Early-career and Senior-level researchers
Fellowship Duration: 3 to 10 months, depending on programme
Expected Start Date: October 2026
Working Hours: Full-time, as per institutional norms
Funding/Compensation: Monthly living allowance, accommodation supplement, mobility/travel allowance, office space, and library access
Required Degree/Diploma: PhD in any discipline supported by the University of Freiburg

Supported Research Fields / Areas

FRIAS Early Career and Senior Fellowships accept proposals from all disciplines, including:

Humanities (e.g. Philosophy, History, Literature, Linguistics, Cultural Studies)
Social Sciences (e.g. Sociology, Political Science, Anthropology, Economics)
Natural Sciences (e.g. Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth Sciences)
Life Sciences and Medicine
Mathematics and Computer Science
Engineering and Environmental Sciences
Law, Education, and Theology
Interdisciplinary or cross-cutting themes

FRIAS Sustainable Governance Fellowship (for Researchers from Africa):

Open to the Humanities and Social Sciences only
Projects must relate to sustainability, governance, development, or policy within African or global contexts

Eligibility & Qualifications

FRIAS Early Career Fellowship

PhD awarded within the last eight years
At least six months of international academic experience (outside country of first degree)

Senior Fellowship

PhD with minimum eight years of postdoctoral experience
At least six months of academic experience abroad

FRIAS Sustainable Governance Fellowship (for African researchers)

PhD with eight years of postdoctoral experience
Must be based at an African institution
At least six months of international academic experience
Research must be in the humanities or social sciences

Fellowship/Job Benefits

Monthly living allowance
Accommodation supplement
Mobility/travel allowance
Office space and library access
Tailored academic and logistical support
Participation in interdisciplinary events and research community

Key Responsibilities

Conduct independent research aligned with your project proposal
Engage with the FRIAS academic community
Participate in seminars, discussions, and scholarly events
Contribute to interdisciplinary exchange
Share research outputs through presentations, papers, or public engagement

Application Process

How to Apply:

Submit your application via the University of Freiburg’s FRIAS fellowship portal

Required Documents:

Project proposal (max. 3000 words)
CV in tabular form
Publication list (PDF):
Copy of the PhD diploma (PDF)
Letter of support (PDF): identifying a host laboratory in Freiburg where the research project can be carried out; only applicable to experimental scientists
Experiment sketch and timetable (PDF): only applicable to experimental scientists, who are required to submit a sketch and timetable of the experiments they wish to conduct in Freiburg