CEES Fellowship Program 2027 at University of Zurich | Fully Funded Residential Research Fellowship
The Center for Eastern European Studies (CEES) at the University of Zurich is inviting applications for its Spring 2027 Fellowship Program, offering 5–6 residential fellowships to highly talented and innovative young or mid-career scholars in the social sciences and humanities.
The fellowship provides an opportunity to spend up to four months in Zurich, pursue independent research, participate in the academic activities of CEES, and engage with an interdisciplinary community of scholars working on Russia, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
About the CEES Fellowship Program
The CEES Fellowship is normally structured as a four-month residential fellowship during one academic semester.
For the Spring 2027 semester, the fellowship will begin in mid-February 2027.
The programme welcomes research proposals addressing historical or contemporary topics related to:
- Russia
- Eastern Europe
- The Caucasus
- Central Asia
- Post-Soviet Eurasia
For the Spring 2027 fellowship cycle, CEES is particularly interested in scholars researching:
- Geopolitical trends
- Economic connectivity
- Transnational social issues
- Transnational cultural issues
- The South Caucasus region
Fellowship Duration
The fellowship will last for up to four months, beginning in mid-February 2027.
During their residency, fellows are expected to focus on their independent research while actively participating in the scholarly activities of the Center for Eastern European Studies.
What Does the Fellowship Provide?
The CEES Fellowship provides several forms of support to selected scholars.
Living Expenses
The fellowship includes a stipend for living expenses during the fellowship period of up to four months.
Travel and Administrative Costs
Funding also covers travel and administrative costs in Switzerland.
Workspace and Facilities
Fellows receive access to:
- A workspace at CEES
- Relevant libraries
- Necessary research facilities
- The interdisciplinary academic community associated with CEES
Housing Support
CEES will assist fellows with finding housing in the Zurich area during their residency.
Research and Academic Activities
The fellowship is not solely a research stay. Fellows are expected to actively participate in the academic environment at CEES.
During the fellowship, selected scholars will:
- Pursue independent research in residence.
- Participate actively in CEES scholarly activities.
- Access relevant libraries and research resources.
- Present their research topic in a workshop.
- Engage with the interdisciplinary community of experts associated with CEES.
- Publish their findings through one of the CEES publication outlets.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is intended for young or mid-career scholars working in the:
- Social sciences
- Humanities
Applicants should have a research focus addressing historical or contemporary topics connected to Russia, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus or Central Asia.
For Spring 2027, applications connected to the South Caucasus and focusing on geopolitical trends, economic connectivity, or transnational social and cultural issues are particularly welcomed.
Important Eligibility Requirement
Applicants must be enrolled or employed at their home university.
This means the fellowship is intended for scholars who maintain an academic affiliation with their home institution during the application and fellowship process.
Application Requirements
A complete application must contain all of the following materials:
1. Letter of Motivation
Applicants should submit a letter explaining their motivation for applying to the CEES Fellowship Program.
2. Research Proposal
A 3–5 page research proposal is required.
The proposal should clearly present the research project the applicant intends to pursue during the fellowship.
3. Curriculum Vitae
Applicants must provide a CV that includes a list of publications.
4. Writing Sample
Applicants should provide a short writing sample, such as an:
- Academic article
- Book chapter
5. CEES Presentation Proposal
Applicants must also submit a short proposal for the presentation they would give at CEES during their fellowship.
6. References
Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation and/or the names of two referees.
Language and Submission Format
All application materials must be written in English.
The complete application should be combined into one single PDF document.
Applications should be sent by email to:
Application Deadline
The deadline for the Spring 2027 CEES Fellowship is:
12 October 2026
Applicants should ensure that the complete application reaches CEES by the stated deadline.
Fellowship Timeline
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | CEES Fellowship Program |
| Semester | Spring 2027 |
| Location | University of Zurich, Switzerland |
| Number of Fellowships | 5–6 |
| Duration | Up to 4 months |
| Start | Mid-February 2027 |
| Target Applicants | Young and mid-career scholars |
| Fields | Social sciences and humanities |
| Application Language | English |
| Deadline | 12 October 2026 |
| Application Format | Single PDF |
| cees@isos.uzh.ch |
Areas of Research Interest
CEES welcomes research proposals across topics related to Eastern Europe and post-Soviet Eurasia.
For this particular fellowship cycle, applicants with research interests in the South Caucasus are especially encouraged to consider the programme where their work addresses areas such as:
- Geopolitical developments
- Economic connectivity
- Cross-border social dynamics
- Transnational cultural issues
Research may focus on historical or contemporary issues within the broader geographic scope of the fellowship.
How to Apply
Interested scholars should prepare all required application materials in English and combine them into a single PDF document.
The application should contain:
- Letter of motivation
- 3–5 page research proposal
- CV with publication list
- Short writing sample
- Proposal for the CEES presentation
- Two recommendation letters and/or names of two referees
The completed PDF should then be emailed to:
Application Preparation Tips
Applicants should ensure that their research proposal clearly demonstrates what they intend to accomplish during the four-month residency.
It is also important to ensure that the writing sample, CV and presentation proposal complement the research project described in the application.
Because the fellowship requires active participation in CEES activities, applicants should also demonstrate how their research can contribute to the Center’s interdisciplinary academic environment.
Funding
The CEES Fellowship provides financial support covering:
- Living expenses through a stipend
- Travel costs in Switzerland
- Administrative costs in Switzerland
Selected fellows also receive research facilities, workspace and library access.
CEES will assist fellows in finding accommodation in the Zurich area.
About CEES
The Center for Eastern European Studies (CEES) is based at the University of Zurich and supports interdisciplinary research and scholarly exchange focused on Eastern Europe and post-Soviet Eurasia.
The CEES Fellowship Program is funded by the Department of History and supported by the University of Zurich.
Conclusion
The CEES Fellowship Program 2027 provides young and mid-career scholars in the social sciences and humanities with an opportunity to undertake independent research in residence at the University of Zurich.
The programme offers 5–6 residential fellowships lasting up to four months, with financial support for living expenses, travel and administrative costs, as well as access to research facilities and an interdisciplinary scholarly network.
Applicants working on Russia, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus or Central Asia are eligible to consider the programme, with particular interest for the Spring 2027 cycle in research addressing the South Caucasus, geopolitical trends, economic connectivity and transnational social or cultural issues.
The application deadline is 12 October 2026.
Discover more fellowship opportunities on the OFY Webpage.
Share this:
Discover more from Opportunities for Youth
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
