Global Invisible Fellowship supports research and teaching within CEU’s Global Invisible University initiative, offering residential and non-residential fellowships for scholars in the social sciences and humanities for 2027/28. The fellowship funds research stays, short and long residential terms, and offers specific support for Threatened Scholars.
The program is run in conjunction with the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS CEU) and is integrated into CEU’s research and curricular priorities. Fellows engage in weekly seminars, thematic discussions, and collaborations across CEU’s Vienna and Budapest sites and broader scholarly networks.
Global Invisible Fellowship Benefits
- Senior fellows receive a net monthly stipend of 2,600 Euros.
- Junior fellows receive a net monthly stipend of 1,500 Euros.
- All fellows and their families receive housing at the Raoul Wallenberg Guesthouse.
- Utilities at the Guesthouse will be charged to the Fellows.
- Fellows have access to CEU facilities including seminar and conference space, computer services, and library resources.
- Threatened Scholars hosted as non-residential fellows receive a net monthly stipend of 1,000 Euros and allowance for travel and short-term stays at CEU.
- Residential Affiliated Fellows do not receive a stipend and may or may not receive housing from the Institute.
Global Invisible Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent in the social sciences or humanities at the time of their application.
- Only those with publications in internationally recognized scholarly outlets will be considered.
- Applicants for the Junior Fellowship must have obtained a Ph.D. degree issued in 2018 or later.
- Candidates who obtained their Ph.D. before 2018 are considered “senior” and must apply for the Senior Fellowship.
- Full time CEU employees and students are not eligible to apply for 5 years after the end of their studies/contract (degrees must have been received and contracts must have ended by December 31, 2021 or earlier).
- Part-time/temporary employees of CEU are not eligible for 1 year after their contract ends (their contract must have ended by December 31, 2025 or earlier).
- Scholars currently affiliated with any of CEU’s academic or research units are not eligible to apply.
- Former fellows of IAS CEU are not eligible to apply again for a period of 7 years.
- Reapplication is possible only 3 times within a period of 5 years.
- Applicants are expected to be able to communicate fluently in English.
- All nationalities are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply for Global Invisible Fellowship?
- Prepare your application package: create a single pdf file no larger than 12 MBs containing all your application documents. The name of the pdf file should contain your name and the type of fellowship you are applying to.
- Your application package should contain: a letter of intent (max 1,500 words) including a paragraph on academic freedom and contribution to GIU.
- Include the abstract of your research project (max. 150 words).
- Include a description of your research project (min. 1,000 – max. 2,500 words).
- Include a statement on your teaching experience and teaching philosophy (max. 1 page).
- Include a CV (max. 5 pages).
- Include a list of your most important publications, up to 5 items for junior applicants and up to 15 items for senior applicants.
- References for junior applicants ONLY: the name and email address of two referees (for potential reference).
- Applicants for the Threatened Scholars Fellowship are requested to include a personal statement of risk and/or third-party documentation of the nature of the threat they face.
- Go to the GIU Fellowship Application Form for the Academic Year 2027/28 via the online form link, upload your application package (pdf), and submit your application. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (CET) on 1 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Global Invisible Fellowship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, application requirements, and what to expect during the fellowship.
What is the Global Invisible Fellowship?
The Global Invisible Fellowship is a CEU program run with the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS CEU) supporting research and teaching within the Global Invisible University initiative for 2027/28. It offers residential and non-residential fellowships for scholars in the social sciences and humanities, focusing on thematic areas related to academic freedom, democratization, and crises affecting higher education.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent in the social sciences or humanities at the time of application and have publications in internationally recognized scholarly outlets. Junior Fellowship applicants must have received their Ph.D. in 2018 or later; those with earlier Ph.D. dates should apply for Senior Fellowship. Applicants must be fluent in English.
What are the deadlines and application opening dates?
The deadline for applications to the 2027/28 fellowships is 1 October 2026, with the application form opening on 14 August 2026. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (CET) on 1 October 2026. Successful candidates will be informed in late February 2027; others by the end of April 2027.
What types of fellowships are offered and their durations?
The program offers Junior and Senior Residential Core Fellowships, Residential Affiliated Fellowships, and Residential and Non-residential Fellowships for Threatened Scholars. Residential fellowships can be for 9 months (October–June), 3 months (October–December), 5 months (October–February), or 6 months (January–June). Non-residential Threatened Scholars fellowships run August 2027 to July 2028.
What financial support and housing are provided?
Senior fellows receive a net monthly stipend of 2,600 Euros and junior fellows 1,500 Euros. All fellows and their families receive housing at the Raoul Wallenberg Guesthouse, though utilities are charged to fellows. Threatened non-residential fellows receive 1,000 Euros monthly and allowances for travel and short stays. Residential Affiliated Fellows do not receive stipends.
Are travel and health care covered by the fellowship?
Fellows are responsible for their own travel and health care provisions. The fellowship provides stipends and housing (with utilities charged to fellows) but explicitly states that fellows must cover travel and health care costs themselves.
How are Threatened Scholars defined and supported?
Threatened Scholars are those at risk due to job loss, harassment, legal persecution, or scholars from zones of active military conflict. They must provide a personal statement of risk and/or third-party documentation. Threatened Scholars may be supported as non-residential fellows and receive a monthly stipend and travel allowances.
What are the application materials required?
Applicants must submit a single PDF (max 12 MB) containing: a letter of intent (max 1,500 words), a 150-word abstract, a 1,000–2,500 word project description, a one-page teaching statement, a CV (max 5 pages), a publications list (up to 5 for juniors, up to 15 for seniors), and for juniors two referees’ names/emails. Threatened Scholars must include risk documentation.
How and where do I submit my application?
All applications must be submitted through the GIU online application system. The PDF application package should be uploaded via the online form. The Call specifies the form link and notes you cannot save and return to the form; submit only when all materials are ready. Incomplete or incorrectly submitted applications will not be considered.
When will applicants be notified of the results?
Successful candidates will be informed in late February 2027. All other applicants will be notified of the evaluation results by the end of April 2027 at the latest. The evaluation process results (reviews, scores) will not be shared with applicants.
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