HIAS IFSH Fellowship 2026 invites outstanding scholars with a doctorate to undertake a 3–9 month on-site research stay in Hamburg, combining independent research with interdisciplinary exchange at IFSH and HIAS. The fellowship supports projects that can be carried out on-site and requires collaboration with an IFSH tandem partner.
The programme is offered by the Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities (HIAS) in cooperation with the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH). Fellows benefit from an academic programme, a tandem structure with IFSH, and access to local research networks and infrastructure in Hamburg.
HIAS IFSH Benefits
- Fellowship is funded by IFSH either through a stipend to the fellow or by reimbursement of the home institution’s costs of a teaching replacement.
- Fellows are offered a fully equipped workspace in central Hamburg and continuous assistance by the HIAS and IFSH teams.
- Each fellow is accompanied by an IFSH-based academic tandem partner and gains access to relevant local research networks and infrastructure.
- HIAS will support fellows in identifying and connecting with potential cooperation partners at its member institutions.
- Fellows are expected to attend weekly lunches and colloquia/dinners at HIAS as part of the academic programme.
- Fellows may be housed in the University of Hamburg guesthouse; HIAS and IFSH assist accompanying partners and children in finding accommodation, schools, and daycare facilities.
HIAS IFSH Eligibility Criteria
- Doctorate (minimum) in the humanities, social sciences, or natural/life sciences
- Publications in relevant academic journals or comparable publication outlets
- Interdisciplinary and international research profile
- Relevant experience in research on the fellowship programme’s core research topics
- Prestigious prizes and awards
- Very good command of English
- Applicants from within the metropolitan region of Hamburg are not eligible
- All fellows are expected to collaborate with a tandem partner from IFSH
Eligible Fields
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.
How to Apply for HIAS IFSH
- Applications can be uploaded in English as a single PDF file via the application form by November 16, 2026.
- Cover letter stating desired period of stay, possible academic tandem partner(s) from IFSH, possible (partial) financing through sabbatical or paid leave, and how your research profile would enrich the fellow group, IFSH, and the Hamburg research environment.
- Letter of intent from your prospective tandem partner, if already available (1 page) — only requested if already acquainted.
- List of most important publications (max. 2 pages).
- CV including prizes and awards.
- Description of the planned project (max. 3 pages).
- Project description for a non-specialist audience (max. 1 page).
- Optional link to an online video/talk/lecture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the HIAS IFSH Scholarship 2026. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply based on the official programme information.
Who is eligible to apply for the HIAS IFSH Fellowship?
Applicants must hold a doctorate (minimum) in the humanities, social sciences, or natural/life sciences. The programme looks for publications in relevant outlets, an interdisciplinary and international research profile, relevant experience on the programme’s core topics, prestigious prizes or awards, and a very good command of English. Applicants from the Hamburg metropolitan region are not eligible.
What research topics does the fellowship prioritise?
The programme particularly welcomes projects addressing societal perspectives on peace and security, political violence, fascism, polarisation, radicalisation, great power conflict, arms dynamics, strategic stability, emerging technologies and cybersecurity, European security architecture, climate change and security, polycrisis, disaster response, crisis resilience and civil protection, and interdisciplinary projects connecting these areas.
What funding and benefits are provided to fellows?
The fellowship is funded by IFSH either through a stipend to the fellow or by reimbursement of the home institution’s costs of a teaching replacement. Fellows receive a fully equipped workspace in central Hamburg, continuous assistance from HIAS and IFSH teams, an IFSH-based academic tandem partner, and access to local research networks and infrastructure.
How long can the fellowship period be and when can it start?
Applicants must indicate a preferred period of at least three and no more than nine months. The academic year normally runs from 1 October to 30 June; July to September are not fellowship months. The earliest possible start date for the fellowship is in October 2027.
What is required in the application file?
Applications must be uploaded in English as a single PDF file and include a cover letter (stating desired period, possible IFSH tandem partners, any partial financing, and how the applicant enriches the group), a letter of intent from a tandem partner if available, a list of key publications (max. 2 pages), a CV with prizes and awards, a project description (max. 3 pages), a project description for a non-specialist audience (max. 1 page), and an optional link to an online video or talk.
What are the project evaluation criteria?
Project evaluation considers whether the project opens up new questions and ways of thinking, benefits from interaction with other disciplines, addresses the programme’s core research topics, fits an Institute for Advanced Study environment, allows identification of a suitable IFSH tandem partner, and is feasible within HIAS, IFSH, and Hamburg’s research environment.
Are non-academic professionals eligible to apply?
Yes. Applications from artists, policymakers, and other professionals may be considered if their work is closely related to the programme’s research focus and engages substantively with scholarly inquiry. Academic applicants must hold a doctorate; for non-academic applicants the programme considers the relevance and scholarly engagement of their work.
What obligations do fellows have during their stay?
Fellows are expected to actively participate in the academic programme, including attending weekly lunches and colloquia/dinners at HIAS. They must carry out research on-site in Hamburg and collaborate with an IFSH tandem partner. Active engagement in interdisciplinary exchange with other fellows and scholars is required.
Is accommodation provided or supported?
Fellows may be housed in the University of Hamburg’s centrally located guesthouse, which offers fully furnished apartments with cooking facilities, subject to availability. HIAS and IFSH also assist accompanying life partners and children in finding suitable accommodation, schools, and daycare facilities.
What is the application deadline and how do I submit?
Applications must be uploaded in English as a single PDF via the application form by November 16, 2026. Use the official application link provided on the IFSH jobs page to submit your application before the deadline.
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