Call for Applications: Internet and Society Fellowship 2026 at HIIG
The Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG) has officially opened applications for its Internet and Society Fellowship 2026, offering an exciting opportunity for researchers from around the world to engage deeply with some of the most pressing questions at the intersection of society, technology, and democratic governance. Scheduled to take place in Berlin, Germany, this prestigious fellowship is designed for innovative scholars eager to exchange ideas, advance their research, and contribute to interdisciplinary debates shaping the digital age.
The application deadline is 31 January 2026, and interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply early.
About the HIIG Fellowship Programme
In 2026, the HIIG Fellowship Programme returns in a new six-week, in-person format, running from 1 June to 18 July 2026. This immersive programme brings fellows into HIIG’s vibrant research environment, combining independent research time with collaborative and participatory formats. Fellows will be fully integrated into the institute’s academic life and will have multiple opportunities to interact with researchers, research directors, and fellow scholars from diverse disciplines.
A central component of the 2026 fellowship is a mandatory one-week collaborative sprint, closely linked to HIIG’s new research focus area: Democratic Change and Knowledge. Applicants are expected to clearly explain how their work connects to this focus area and how their own disciplinary or regional perspective can enrich the broader discourse.
What Fellows Can Expect
Successful applicants will join an international and interdisciplinary research community and actively participate in ongoing HIIG activities. During the six-week fellowship, fellows will have the opportunity to:
- Pursue their own independent research project in a supportive academic environment
- Collaborate closely with HIIG researchers and fellow scholars
- Present their work through internal talks, workshops, or seminars
- Contribute to open-access publications or the Digital Society Blog
- Take part in webinars, peer-learning sessions, and knowledge exchange formats
- Engage informally with research directors and senior researchers during Fellow Coffee Talks
- Participate in a one-week intensive sprint with experts focusing on democratic change and knowledge
In addition, fellows will be invited to attend The Long Night of the Sciences, a major public science event in Berlin, offering a unique opportunity to explore HIIG’s projects and connect with the wider research community.
Key Research Focus for 2026: Democratic Change and Knowledge
The central theme of the 2026 fellowship, Democratic Change and Knowledge, explores the evolving role of knowledge and science in democratic self-determination—particularly in the context of digital transformation. As misinformation, contested facts, and populist narratives increasingly challenge public discourse, the programme seeks to better understand how democratic societies can maintain resilient, evidence-based decision-making processes.
This research focus examines how expertise can continue to inform democratic opinion formation in times of epistemic uncertainty. Drawing on perspectives from political science, law, sociology, and media studies, the fellowship aims to identify both the risks of epistemic crises and strategies for strengthening democratic institutions in the digital age.
Key questions of interest include:
- How does declining trust in scientific expertise affect democratic institutions and processes?
- What legal and institutional frameworks can safeguard a stable knowledge base for democracy?
- How do AI-based systems influence accountability and responsibility in democratic decision-making?
- What role should expertise play in a liberal democracy?
- How can science engage more effectively with citizens to strengthen trust and inclusion?
- How can science contribute to an open, pluralistic, knowledge-based democratic order?
Applicants whose research addresses one or more of these questions are particularly encouraged to apply.
Fellowship Conditions and Important Considerations
– The fellowship runs for a fixed duration of six weeks (1 June – 18 July 2026).
– An extension beyond the fellowship period is possible at the fellow’s own initiative.
– Participation in the one-week sprint is mandatory (exact dates to be announced).
– The fellowship is unpaid, but HIIG covers the office desk fee and supports collaborative workshops and exchange formats.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is open to researchers at different career stages who meet the following criteria:
- Junior Fellows: Master’s degree with a PhD in progress or planned
- Senior Fellows: Advanced PhD candidates or postdoctoral researchers
- Demonstrated research experience
- A clear research focus aligned with Democratic Change and Knowledge
- Fluency in English
- A well-defined research idea to work on during the fellowship
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following documents:
– An up-to-date curriculum vitae
– A one-page motivation letter outlining interest in the HIIG Fellowship, research background, and expectations
A research idea outline (max. 1 page) including:
- Research interest and its connection to the fellowship’s focus area
- The specific project to be pursued during the fellowship
Intended outcomes or deliverables
– (Optional) One relevant writing or work sample in English or German
– Applications must be submitted online via the official application form by 31 January 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (CET). Applicants are advised to consult the FAQ before applying. For further inquiries, contact application@hiig.de.
This fellowship represents a valuable opportunity for researchers passionate about democracy, knowledge, and digital society to engage with leading scholars in Berlin and contribute to globally relevant debates.
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