Applications are now open for the Andreas Tietze Memorial Fellowship 2027 in Turkish Studies, an international research opportunity hosted by the Department of Near Eastern Studies at the University of Vienna in Austria.
The annual fellowship provides advanced doctoral candidates and postdoctoral or early-stage researchers with an opportunity to spend between one and three months in Vienna, where they can pursue an original research project in Turkish Studies while becoming part of the University of Vienna’s academic community.
Selected fellows will receive a monthly scholarship of €1,500 to help cover their living expenses in Vienna. They will also receive access to a workplace with internet connectivity, the University Library, and the wider scholarly resources available in Vienna.
The application deadline for the Andreas Tietze Memorial Fellowship 2027 is 30 November 2026.
Researchers interested in Turkish Studies, particularly those whose projects would benefit from conducting research in Vienna, are encouraged to consider this opportunity carefully and prepare the required application documents before the deadline.
About the Andreas Tietze Memorial Fellowship in Turkish Studies
The Andreas Tietze Memorial Fellowship in Turkish Studies was established by the Department of Near Eastern Studies at the University of Vienna to commemorate the life, scholarship, and academic legacy of Andreas Tietze (1914–2003).
Tietze was a distinguished Austrian Turcologist who was born and educated in Vienna and became internationally recognized for his contributions to Turkish Studies.
His academic career extended across Austria, Turkey, and the United States.
From 1938 to 1958, Tietze worked at Istanbul University after taking refuge from the Hitler regime. He later continued his academic career at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he was associated with the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures.
After spending decades in Turkey and the United States, Tietze returned to the University of Vienna in 1973. He remained a faculty member within Near Eastern Studies until his retirement in 1984.
His extensive scholarship covered a remarkable range of subjects, including lexicology, etymology, history, and folk dancing. He also received numerous awards recognizing his significant contributions to Turkish Studies.
The fellowship bearing his name seeks to continue this academic legacy by supporting promising researchers whose work contributes to Turkish Studies and the scholarly environment of the University of Vienna.
What Is the Andreas Tietze Memorial Fellowship 2027?
The Andreas Tietze Memorial Fellowship 2027 is an annual research fellowship designed for advanced doctoral researchers and postdoctoral or early-stage researchers undertaking research on a specific topic within Turkish Studies.
The fellowship is particularly suitable for researchers whose projects would benefit from spending time in Vienna and making use of the academic resources available at the University of Vienna and other major research institutions in the Austrian capital.
Successful applicants will spend one to three months at the University of Vienna.
During their stay, fellows are expected to pursue their research while actively participating in the academic activities of the Department of Near Eastern Studies.
Research Areas Supported by the Fellowship
Applicants must be working on a research topic connected to Turkish Studies.
The Department particularly welcomes projects that complement or expand its existing areas of research.
Priority or particularly welcomed areas include:
- Environmental history
- History of technology
- Digital humanities
- Consumption history
- History of tourism
- Cultural heritage
Importantly, applicants should not assume that their project must fall exclusively within one of these fields.
The fellowship explicitly states that it is not limited to these research areas.
Researchers working on other original topics within Turkish Studies may therefore submit applications, provided their proposed research is academically strong and suitable for the fellowship.
This broad scope creates room for scholars from different disciplinary and methodological backgrounds to propose projects that contribute to a deeper understanding of Turkey, Turkish history, culture, society, heritage, language, or related areas of Turkish Studies.
Opportunity to Develop External Research Grant Proposals
The fellowship is not restricted to researchers who want to complete a conventional research project during their stay.
Applications are also welcomed from researchers who intend to use their time at the University of Vienna to develop external research funding proposals.
Examples of external funding programs mentioned by the University include:
- European Research Council funding
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Austrian Science Fund funding
This makes the fellowship particularly valuable for early-career researchers who are preparing for the next stage of their academic careers and want to develop a competitive research funding proposal within a supportive academic environment.
Applicants pursuing this route should clearly explain their plans in their application, including where they intend to submit their research funding proposal.
Andreas Tietze Memorial Fellowship 2027 Financial Support
Successful fellows will receive a monthly scholarship of €1,500.
The same monthly amount applies to both:
- Doctoral candidates
- Postdoctoral researchers
The scholarship is intended to help fellows meet their living expenses while residing in Vienna for the duration of the research fellowship.
Because the fellowship can last between one and three months, the total scholarship support will depend on the approved duration of the fellow’s stay.
For example:
- A one-month fellowship would provide €1,500 in scholarship support.
- A two-month fellowship would provide €3,000 in scholarship support.
- A three-month fellowship would provide €4,500 in scholarship support.
Applicants should therefore consider their expected living expenses and proposed duration when planning their research stay.
Are Travel Expenses Covered?
Applicants should pay particular attention to the fellowship’s travel funding arrangements.
The Department of Near Eastern Studies states that it is unable to reimburse travel expenses to and from Vienna from the fellow’s country of residence.
This means successful applicants will generally need to make their own arrangements for the cost of traveling to Austria and returning to their country of residence.
Prospective applicants should factor airfare and other transportation expenses into their financial planning before applying.
Research Facilities and Benefits for Selected Fellows
Financial support is only one component of the fellowship.
Successful fellows will also receive access to important research infrastructure at the University of Vienna.
The fellow will be provided with:
- A workplace for the duration of the research project
- Internet access
- Full use of the University Library
- Access to the Department’s academic environment
- Opportunities to interact with an international academic community
- Access to Vienna’s broader scholarly and archival resources
The opportunity to conduct research in Vienna may be especially important for applicants whose projects depend on materials that are difficult to access elsewhere.
Access to Vienna’s Major Research Resources
Vienna is home to numerous important academic, archival, and cultural institutions.
The fellowship specifically highlights the rich scholarly resources available in the city, including the:
- Austrian National Library
- Habsburg Archives
Access to these and other resources can make the fellowship particularly valuable for scholars undertaking archival, historical, cultural, or interdisciplinary research.
Applicants whose projects specifically require access to materials located in Vienna should explain this clearly in their research proposal.
Doing so can help demonstrate why spending time at the University of Vienna is important for successfully carrying out the proposed research.
Duration of the Andreas Tietze Memorial Fellowship 2027
The fellowship lasts for a minimum of one month and a maximum of three months.
Applicants should design a realistic research plan that can be meaningfully undertaken within this period.
The available duration provides some flexibility. Researchers undertaking a focused archival project may require only one month, while projects involving extensive source consultation, collaboration, proposal development, or other activities may benefit from a longer stay.
Available Fellowship Starting Dates in 2027
Successful fellows are expected to begin their fellowship on one of four specified dates in 2027.
The available commencement dates are:
- 1 March 2027
- 1 May 2027
- 1 September 2027
- 1 November 2027
Applicants should consider which period best suits their research plans and personal circumstances.
Regardless of the selected commencement period, fellows are expected to reside in Vienna throughout the fellowship.
Residency Requirement in Vienna
The Andreas Tietze Memorial Fellowship is intended to support an actual research stay in Vienna rather than a remote research arrangement.
During the fellowship period, the selected researcher is expected to reside in Vienna.
This requirement allows fellows to benefit fully from the Department’s academic community, University facilities, libraries, archives, seminars, and other scholarly resources.
Applicants should therefore be prepared to relocate temporarily to Vienna for the approved one-to-three-month fellowship period.
Academic Participation Requirements
Fellows are expected to do more than independently conduct their research.
During their stay, they are expected to participate actively in the academic life of the Department of Near Eastern Studies.
The fellow will also be expected to present their research project.
The presentation could take different forms, including:
- A public lecture
- A discussion session
- Participation in a seminar
- Another comparable academic event
These activities provide fellows with opportunities to receive feedback on their research, exchange ideas with other scholars, expand their academic networks, and contribute to the intellectual life of the Department.
Who Can Apply for the Andreas Tietze Memorial Fellowship 2027?
The fellowship targets researchers at advanced doctoral and early postdoctoral stages of their academic careers.
Applicants must fall within one of the eligible academic categories.
Advanced Doctoral Candidates
Applicants who are currently pursuing a doctorate must have reached an advanced doctoral stage, specifically ABD status.
ABD generally refers to doctoral candidates who have completed the major requirements of their doctoral program other than completing and defending the dissertation.
Postdoctoral and Early-Stage Researchers
Postdoctoral or early-stage researchers may also apply.
However, applicants in this category must have received their PhD no more than five years ago.
Researchers who completed their doctorate more than five years ago would therefore not meet the stated postdoctoral eligibility requirement.
English and German Language Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English.
Knowledge of German is considered an advantage but is not stated as a mandatory eligibility requirement.
Applications may be prepared in either:
- English, or
- German.
The University recommends that applicants use whichever of these two languages they are most proficient in.
This allows candidates to present their academic background, research project, methodology, and objectives as clearly and convincingly as possible.
Original Research Project Requirement
Applicants must propose an original research project.
The project should be connected to Turkish Studies and should demonstrate a clear research purpose.
A strong project proposal should explain the research question or problem, methodology, sources, and the importance of conducting the project.
Applicants should also consider explaining why the University of Vienna and its scholarly resources are particularly relevant to their research.
Application Documents Required for the Fellowship
All required application materials must be combined and submitted as one single PDF file.
Applicants should carefully check their documents before submission because failure to follow the required format could negatively affect the application.
The required documents are as follows.
1. Cover Letter
Applicants must submit a cover letter.
According to the fellowship instructions, the cover letter should explain where the applicant intends to submit a research funding application and describe how the proposed project aligns with the Department’s:
- Research interests
- Mission
- Goals
Applicants should use this document to clearly establish the relationship between their own research objectives and the academic environment of the Department of Near Eastern Studies.
2. Curriculum Vitae
Applicants must provide an academic CV containing details of their:
- Educational background
- Previous academic achievements
- Research experience
- Publications
- Other relevant academic accomplishments
The CV must be no longer than two pages.
Applicants should therefore prioritize information that is directly relevant to their research profile and the proposed fellowship.
3. Research Project Outline
A detailed project outline is another major component of the application.
The project outline must be between three and five pages.
It should describe the proposed research project and include important information concerning:
- Research topic
- Research objectives
- Methodology
- Sources
- Relevant academic context
Applicants should make their proposal sufficiently detailed for reviewers to understand what they plan to investigate, how they intend to conduct the research, and what the project is expected to contribute to Turkish Studies.
4. Details of Two References
Applicants must provide the names and contact information of two individuals who can serve as references.
An important distinction is that applicants do not need to submit recommendation letters as part of the initial application.
They only need to provide the requested contact information for two potential references.
How to Apply for the Andreas Tietze Memorial Fellowship 2027
The application process is conducted by email.
Applicants should complete the following steps:
- Prepare a cover letter addressing the required information.
- Prepare an academic CV of no more than two pages.
- Write a three-to-five-page research project outline explaining the project, methodology, and sources.
- Include the names and contact details of two references.
- Combine all application documents into one PDF file.
- Ensure that the application is written in either English or German.
- Review the complete PDF carefully for accuracy and completeness.
- Send the application by email to Dr. Julia Fröhlich-Siegl at julia.froehlich@univie.ac.at.
- Ensure the complete application is submitted by 30 November 2026.
Applicants should avoid waiting until the final day to submit their materials whenever possible.
Andreas Tietze Memorial Fellowship 2027 Application Deadline
The official application deadline is:
30 November 2026
Applications should be submitted in accordance with the University’s instructions by this date.
Candidates interested in applying should allow sufficient time to prepare their research proposal, refine their CV, identify two suitable references, and ensure all materials are combined into the required single PDF document.
When Will Applicants Receive the Results?
Applicants are expected to be informed about the outcome of their application approximately one month after the application deadline.
Because the deadline is 30 November 2026, applicants can generally expect the selection outcome approximately one month later, although the exact notification date is not specified.
Candidates should therefore continue to monitor the email address they used during the application process.
Why Researchers Should Consider the Andreas Tietze Memorial Fellowship
The Andreas Tietze Memorial Fellowship offers more than financial support.
For eligible doctoral and early-career researchers, it provides an opportunity to temporarily become part of a major European university while pursuing specialized research in Turkish Studies.
Some of the key advantages include:
- A monthly scholarship of €1,500
- A research stay of up to three months in Vienna
- A dedicated workplace with internet access
- Full use of the University Library
- Access to Vienna’s extensive academic and archival resources
- Opportunities to engage with an international scholarly community
- Participation in the academic activities of the Department of Near Eastern Studies
- An opportunity to publicly present and discuss research
- Supportive conditions for developing original research
- The possibility of working on external research grant proposals
- Access to institutions such as the Austrian National Library and Habsburg Archives
The fellowship may be particularly valuable for researchers who require Vienna-based archival or library materials or who would benefit from intellectual exchange with researchers at the University of Vienna.
Important Points Applicants Should Remember
Before submitting an application, candidates should pay particular attention to the following:
- Applicants must be advanced doctoral candidates or eligible postdoctoral/early-stage researchers.
- Postdoctoral applicants must have received their PhD no more than five years ago.
- Applicants must propose an original project related to Turkish Studies.
- A high level of English proficiency is required.
- German is advantageous but not mandatory.
- Applications may be submitted in English or German.
- The fellowship lasts between one and three months.
- The scholarship provides €1,500 per month.
- Fellows must reside in Vienna during the fellowship.
- Travel costs to and from Vienna are not reimbursed by the Department.
- Fellows are expected to actively participate in Department activities.
- Fellows must present their research during their stay.
- The CV must not exceed two pages.
- The project outline must be between three and five pages.
- Two references must be identified, but recommendation letters are not required.
- The entire application must be combined into a single PDF.
- Applications must be emailed to julia.froehlich@univie.ac.at.
- The deadline is 30 November 2026.
Conclusion
The Andreas Tietze Memorial Fellowship 2027 in Turkish Studies at the University of Vienna presents an important opportunity for advanced doctoral candidates and early-career researchers seeking to advance original scholarship in Turkish Studies while spending up to three months in one of Europe’s major academic centers.
With a €1,500 monthly scholarship, access to the University of Vienna’s research infrastructure, opportunities to engage with an international academic community, and access to major scholarly resources such as the Austrian National Library and Habsburg Archives, the fellowship offers an environment designed to support focused research and academic development.
The fellowship’s broad approach to Turkish Studies also means that applicants are not restricted to the Department’s highlighted research themes. While projects involving environmental history, the history of technology, digital humanities, consumption history, tourism history, and cultural heritage are particularly welcomed, other original projects within Turkish Studies can also be considered.
Researchers interested in developing external funding proposals, including proposals for major European and Austrian research funding programs, are also encouraged to apply.
Prospective candidates should carefully assess the eligibility requirements, develop a strong and original research proposal, prepare all required documents, and combine their materials into a single PDF before submission.
Most importantly, applicants should remember that travel expenses to and from Vienna are not covered, so these costs should be incorporated into their financial planning.
Eligible researchers interested in this opportunity should prepare early and ensure that their complete application reaches the University of Vienna by the 30 November 2026 deadline.
Visit the OFY website for more Fellowship Opportunities.
