Einstein Fellowship 2026 supports outstanding young thinkers who, in addition to producing superb work in their field, wish to pursue a project in a different discipline — following the example set by Albert Einstein. The fellowship includes living accommodations for six months in the garden cottage of Einstein’s summerhouse in Caputh, Brandenburg, only a short distance away from the universities and academic institutions of Potsdam and Berlin.
The Einstein Fellowship is made possible through generous support from the Wittenstein Foundation. It was previously funded by the ZEIT Foundation Ebelin and Gerd Bucerius (2007–2009) and the Daimler and Benz Foundation (2010–2022). The fellowship is hosted by the Einstein Forum in Germany.
Benefits of Einstein Fellowship 2026
- Living accommodations for six months in the garden cottage of Einstein’s summerhouse in Caputh, Brandenburg
- Stipend of 10,000 euros
- Reimbursement of travel expenses
Eligibility Criteria for the Einstein Fellowship 2026
- Candidates must be under 35
- Hold a university degree in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences
- Proposed project must be significantly different in content, and preferably field and form, from the applicant’s previous work
- The fellowship is not meant to fund dissertation research
- A successful application must demonstrate the quality, originality, and feasibility of the proposed project, as well as the superior intellectual development of the applicant
How to Apply for the Einstein Fellowship 2026
- Submit a CV
- Submit a two-page project proposal
- Submit two letters of recommendation
- All documents must be received by May 15, 2026
- Use the online application form at https://www.einsteinforum.de/fellowship/
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Einstein Fellowship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply.
What kind of project can I propose?
Your proposed project must not be part of your dissertation or thesis, and the application documents must be in English. There are no other limitations as long as you can defend your idea as interesting, original, and feasible. Note that the Einstein Forum does not have specialized infrastructure like supercomputing or laboratory facilities.
How different should my proposed project be from my previous work?
There is no hard and fast rule. You need to demonstrate that you have not already done work directly related to your proposed project, such as master’s theses, published essays, or books. You should have already given significant thought to your project idea.
Can I propose two projects?
The fellowship is awarded for just one project. We recommend focusing on strengthening just one proposal rather than submitting multiple projects.
Should I include my recommendation letters in my application, or should my referees send them separately?
We will accept both. Referees who want to send us recommendation letters directly should email them to [email protected].
Is TOEFL/IELTS required?
We require only the documents indicated in the application form. We do not require TOEFL/IELTS results, as your application should already reflect a mastery of English.
When will I hear back about my application?
We will acknowledge receipt of your submission as soon as possible. The application review and interview process will begin in June, and final decisions will be issued by the end of July.
When does the fellowship take place?
Although the exact dates are flexible, the ideal time for the six-month fellowship is during the spring, summer, and/or fall.
Is a stay in the garden cottage at Einstein’s summerhouse mandatory?
Yes. Einstein Fellows are expected to reside in the cottage.
What may the stipend be used for?
The stipend is intended to cover living expenses and project expenses incurred during your fellowship period.
Can my family come? Does the fellowship cover travel expenses of family members?
Your family may accompany you during the fellowship period, though the fellowship will not cover their travel expenses.
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