The Digital Humanism Fellowship offers doctoral and postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to spend three months at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna, Austria. Fellows engage in interdisciplinary research that describes, analyzes, and influences the complex interplay between technology and humankind, striving for a better society while respecting universal human rights. The fellowship is open to all academic disciplines that address digitalization’s societal, economic, and geopolitical dimensions.
The Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) is an independent institute for advanced study in the humanities and social sciences, based in Vienna. Since its founding, the IWM has provided a vibrant intellectual community for scholars from around the world. The Digital Humanism Program at IWM, funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure, aims to foster critical discourse on the ethical, social, and political challenges of the digital age.
Digital Humanism Benefits
- Monthly stipend of EUR 3,300 for postdoctoral fellows or EUR 2,750 for doctoral candidates
- Office space with internet access at IWM
- In-house research facilities and administrative services
- Integration into the IWM community of scholars and participation in institute activities
Digital Humanism Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
- Must be enrolled in a doctoral program or have obtained a PhD not longer than four years before the application deadline (not before 21 September 2022)
- Open to all academic disciplines, but research must focus on digitalization’s intersection with societal, economic, and geopolitical dimensions
- Applications that merely apply digital tools to humanities research (Digital Humanities) will not be considered
- Candidates cannot submit multiple fellowship applications to IWM within the same academic year
- Previous IWM fellows must wait three academic years before applying again
- Two letters of recommendation must be submitted directly by the recommenders before the deadline
- All application documents must be in English
How to Apply for Digital Humanism Fellowship?
- Submit the application via the online form at https://civi.iwm.at/form/app/DH-2026-2027-Spring before 21 September 2026, 23:59 CEST
- Prepare a brief letter of motivation explaining how the project benefits from a stay at IWM and outlining concrete research/writing goals
- Write a project description of max. 550 characters (including spaces)
- Write a project proposal of max. 7,500 characters (including spaces) covering objectives, current state of research, methods, and a work plan
- Prepare a curriculum vitae with a list of publications
- Combine all required documents (motivation letter, project description, proposal, CV) into a single PDF with a filename using only Latin characters
- Ensure two letters of recommendation are submitted by your recommenders via the automatic email link sent after your application submission
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Digital Humanism Fellowship. These answers cover eligibility, funding, application requirements, and other key details to help you prepare a strong application.
What is the Digital Humanism Fellowship?
It is a three-month fellowship at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna, aimed at doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. Fellows pursue interdisciplinary research on the complex interplay between technology and society, focusing on ethical, social, economic, and geopolitical dimensions of digitalization rather than pure Digital Humanities.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be currently enrolled in a doctoral program or have defended their PhD no more than four years before the deadline (i.e., after 20 September 2022). The call is open to all academic disciplines, but research projects must critically address digitalization’s societal implications.
What funding does the Digital Humanism Fellowship provide?
Fellows receive a monthly stipend: EUR 3,300 for postdoctoral researchers and EUR 2,750 for doctoral candidates. They must cover all living expenses (travel, accommodation, health insurance, etc.) from this stipend. Additionally, IWM provides free office space, internet, research facilities, and administrative services.
How long is the Digital Humanism Fellowship and when does it take place?
The Digital Humanism Fellowship lasts three consecutive months between February and June 2027. The exact period is synchronized to overlap with the Senior Digital Humanism Visiting Fellow’s stay. It begins on the first day of the assigned month and ends on the last day.
What documents are required for the application?
You need a letter of motivation, a project description (max. 550 characters), a project proposal (max. 7,500 characters) including objectives, state of research, methods, and work plan, a CV with publications, and two letters of recommendation submitted separately by referees.
Can I apply if I previously held an IWM fellowship?
Yes, but prior IWM fellows must wait three full academic years before applying for another fellowship. For example, if you held a fellowship in academic year 2023-24, you can apply again for 2026-27. Multiple applications in the same academic year are not allowed.
What research topics are eligible?
Projects must examine digitalization’s impact on society, economy, or geopolitics from a humanities or social science perspective. Pure Digital Humanities projects that merely use digital methods for humanities research are not accepted. The program emphasizes shaping technology for human rights and societal well-being.
When is the application deadline and when will I hear back?
The deadline is 21 September 2026 at 23:59 CEST. Applications are evaluated by an expert jury. Applicants will be notified of the decision by email no later than 30 November 2026. The jury does not provide individual feedback.
How should I submit my application?
Applications must be submitted exclusively via the online form (link on the call page). Do not send materials by email. Combine all personal documents into a single PDF with a filename using only Latin characters. Recommenders submit their letters directly through a link they receive after you apply.
Is the Digital Humanism Fellowship open to applicants of any nationality?
The call does not specify nationality restrictions; the selection is primarily based on the project’s quality and thematic fit. As an international institute, IWM welcomes scholars from all countries, provided they meet the academic eligibility criteria.
Discover more from Scholarship Union
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
