Call for Applications: Internet and Society Fellowship 2026

The Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG) has officially opened applications for the Internet and Society Fellowship 2026, offering researchers worldwide an opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary exploration at the intersection of society, technology, and democratic governance.
Application Deadline: 31 January 2026

In 2026, the fellowship returns as a six-week, in-person programme held in Berlin from 1 June to 18 July 2026. A central highlight of the fellowship is a dedicated one-week sprint connected to the institute’s new research focus, Democratic Change and Knowledge. Applicants are encouraged to clearly articulate how their research aligns with this theme and how their academic perspective can enrich ongoing discourse within the institute.

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About the Internet and Society Fellowship

The HIIG fellowship provides a unique environment for scholars to pursue their research while contributing to broader conversations on digital transformation, democratic practices, and knowledge systems. Over six weeks, fellows will benefit from both independent research opportunities and collaborative engagements with HIIG’s vibrant research community.

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What Fellows Can Expect

Fellows will be integrated into the institute’s international academic environment and have opportunities to:

• Pursue their own research projects

• Collaborate with HIIG researchers and other fellows

• Present research in internal seminars, workshops, or discussions

• Contribute to publications such as the Digital Society Blog

• Participate in webinars, peer-learning sessions, and knowledge exchanges

• Join a “Fellow Coffee Talk” with senior researchers and directors

• Work with experts during the one-week sprint focused on Democratic Change and Knowledge

• Attend the Long Night of the Sciences, exploring HIIG’s research and community

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Key Research Area for 2026: Democratic Change and Knowledge

The 2026 fellowship revolves around the research theme Democratic Change and Knowledge, which examines how knowledge, expertise, and scientific understanding shape democratic decision-making amid growing digital complexity.

This focus area addresses critical questions such as:

• How declines in trust in scientific expertise influence democratic institutions

• What institutional or legal frameworks can reinforce knowledge-based democratic processes

• How AI-based technologies impact accountability and responsibility in governance

• How expertise should inform liberal democratic practices

• How science can better engage citizens to foster trust and strengthen democratic resilience

• How societies can build pluralistic, future-oriented knowledge systems

This interdisciplinary theme draws from political science, law, media studies, and sociology, and is designed to deepen understanding of how expertise and democracy interact in the digital age.

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Important Details to Consider

• Duration: Six weeks (1 June – 18 July 2026)

• Format: Fully in-person fellowship in Berlin

• Extension: Fellows may extend their stay beyond the programme duration

• Sprint Participation: Mandatory one-week sprint during the fellowship

• Funding: The fellowship is unpaid

• Support: HIIG provides office desk space and supports collaborative workshops and event formats

• Event Participation: Fellows will be invited to join the Long Night of the Sciences

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Qualifications

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

• Junior Fellows: Master’s degree with ongoing or planned PhD

• Senior Fellows: Advanced PhD candidates or postdoctoral researchers

• Demonstrated research experience

• Strong alignment with the theme Democratic Change and Knowledge

• Fluency in English

• A clear research idea to pursue during the fellowship

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Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit:

1. Curriculum vitae

2. Motivation letter (1 page) outlining research background, interest in the programme, and expectations

3. Research idea outline (maximum 1 page), including:

   • Connection to the fellowship’s 2026 theme

   • Research idea to be developed during the fellowship

   • Expected outcomes or deliverables

4. Optional: One writing or work sample (English or German) related to the research area

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How to Apply

The applications must be submitted via the official application form by 31 January 2026, 11:59 p.m. CET.

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