HIAS and IFSH Joint Fellowship Program 2027 in Germany: Research Fellowship for International Scholars

Applications are now open for the HIAS and IFSH Joint Fellowship Program 2027 in Hamburg, Germany, offering accomplished researchers and scholars an opportunity to pursue independent research in the fields of peace, security, political violence, European security, emerging technologies, climate security, and related interdisciplinary areas.

Jointly offered by the Hamburg Institute for Advanced Study (HIAS) and the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH), the fellowship provides selected scholars with the opportunity to live and work in Hamburg while advancing an independent research project within an interdisciplinary and internationally connected academic environment.

The fellowship is designed primarily for outstanding scholars who have completed a doctorate and demonstrated substantial academic achievement. However, applications from artists, policymakers, and other professionals may also be considered when their work is closely connected to the fellowship’s research priorities and engages substantively with scholarly inquiry.

Selected fellows will benefit from financial support, a fully equipped workspace, interdisciplinary academic exchange, connections to Hamburg’s research community, an IFSH academic tandem partner, and support with accommodation and family arrangements.

The application deadline is November 16, 2026, and the earliest possible fellowship start date is October 2027.

About the HIAS and IFSH Joint Fellowship Program

The Joint Fellowship Program brings together the resources and intellectual communities of HIAS and IFSH to provide researchers with an environment where they can develop innovative ideas and pursue ambitious research projects.

IFSH is a Hamburg-based research institution specialising in peace and security studies. Through the fellowship, researchers can work within an environment focused on contemporary questions surrounding peace, conflict, security, resilience, political violence, international relations, technology, and societal change.

At the same time, fellows become part of the interdisciplinary community at HIAS, where internationally renowned researchers and professionals from a wide range of academic backgrounds come together.

The program is particularly interested in applicants who demonstrate:

• Significant academic achievements;
• Intellectual curiosity;
• An interdisciplinary and international research profile;
• Strong interest in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary exchange;
• Willingness to cooperate with researchers at IFSH and fellows at HIAS; and
• Interest in communicating their research beyond specialised academic audiences.

Applicants are also encouraged to consider how their proposed projects could contribute to broader public understanding of their research topic.

Research Areas for the 2027 Fellowship

The HIAS and IFSH Joint Fellowship Program particularly welcomes research projects addressing, or closely connected to, several major areas of peace and security research.

1. Societal Perspectives on Peace and Security

Researchers working on the relationship between societies, political systems, violence, radicalisation, and security are encouraged to apply.

Relevant subjects include:

• Societal perspectives on peace and security;
• Political violence;
• Fascism;
• Political and societal polarisation;
• Radicalisation;
• Counterterrorism; and
• Related social and political developments affecting peace and security.

Projects that investigate these issues through innovative or interdisciplinary approaches are particularly encouraged.

2. Great Power Conflict, Arms Dynamics and Emerging Technologies

The fellowship also welcomes researchers examining international strategic competition and the changing technological dimensions of security.

Relevant areas include:

• Great power conflict;
• Arms dynamics;
• Deterrence;
• Strategic stability;
• Emerging technologies;
• Cybersecurity; and
• Related developments affecting international peace and security.

Researchers may explore how technological transformation influences military strategy, international competition, deterrence relationships, institutional responses, and the wider international security environment.

3. European Security and Regional Security Architecture

European security is another major area of interest.

Relevant research topics include:

• European security architecture;
• European regional security organisations;
• The future of European security; and
• Broader questions concerning institutions, cooperation, conflict, and security arrangements within Europe.

Projects may examine existing security structures as well as emerging challenges and possible transformations in European security.

4. Climate Change, Crisis Resilience and Civil Protection

The fellowship additionally encourages projects examining the relationship between environmental change, crises, resilience, and security.

Relevant subjects include:

• Climate change and security;
• Polycrisis;
• Disaster response;
• Disaster preparedness;
• Crisis resilience;
• Civil protection; and
• Related interdisciplinary approaches to contemporary security challenges.

Projects that connect these subjects with perspectives from different academic disciplines are especially welcome.

Interdisciplinary Research Is Strongly Encouraged

A major characteristic of the HIAS and IFSH fellowship is its emphasis on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research.

Applicants are therefore encouraged to propose projects that benefit from interaction across different fields of study.

The selection process considers whether a project:

• Opens up new research questions or ways of thinking;
• Benefits from engagement with other disciplines;
• Addresses issues relevant to the fellowship’s core research areas;
• Is suitable for an Institute for Advanced Study environment;
• Can be connected with an appropriate academic tandem partner at IFSH; and
• Can realistically be undertaken within the research environment available through HIAS, IFSH, and Hamburg.

Who Can Apply for the HIAS and IFSH Fellowship?

The program is primarily intended for accomplished scholars with strong academic records.

For applicants working in academia, a doctorate is mandatory.

The minimum academic requirement is a doctorate in one of the following broad areas:

• Humanities;
• Social sciences;
• Natural sciences; or
• Life sciences.

Candidates should demonstrate an academic and research profile relevant to the fellowship.

Selection criteria include:

• A completed doctorate;
• Publications in relevant academic journals or comparable publication outlets;
• An interdisciplinary and international research profile;
• Relevant research experience connected with the fellowship’s core research areas;
• Prestigious prizes and awards, where applicable; and
• A very good command of English.

The fellowship takes applicants’ career stages into consideration and places particular emphasis on the future potential of early-career researchers.

Opportunities for Artists, Policymakers and Other Professionals

Although the program is strongly research-oriented, eligibility is not necessarily limited to conventional academic career paths.

Applications from artists, policymakers, and other professionals may also be considered.

Their work must, however:

• Be closely connected to the fellowship’s research focus; and
• Engage substantively with scholarly inquiry.

This allows the fellowship to incorporate perspectives beyond traditional academia while maintaining a strong connection to rigorous intellectual and research-based work.

Commitment to Equal Opportunities and Diversity

HIAS and IFSH are committed to equal opportunities and actively encourage applications from groups that may be underrepresented within research and academia.

The fellowship particularly welcomes applications from:

• Female scholars;
• Non-binary scholars;
• Early-career researchers; and
• Individuals from regions that are usually underrepresented in research and academia.

The fellowship also considers diversity when forming the broader group of scholars at IFSH and each cohort of fellows at HIAS.

Factors considered include diversity in:

• Academic disciplines;
• Countries of origin;
• Gender; and
• Career stages.

Applicants From the Hamburg Metropolitan Region Are Not Eligible

The fellowship is intended to bring scholars and professionals into the Hamburg research environment.

For this reason, applicants from within the metropolitan region of Hamburg are not eligible.

Fellows are expected to live and work in Hamburg for the duration of their fellowship.

Consequently, proposed projects must be suitable for being undertaken on-site at HIAS and IFSH.

Applicants seeking a fully remote fellowship arrangement should therefore note that the program requires physical presence in Hamburg.

Fellowship Duration and Dates

The HIAS and IFSH academic year generally runs from:

October 1 to June 30 of the following year.

The earliest possible starting date is October 2027.

Applicants must indicate their preferred fellowship period when submitting their application.

The proposed stay must last:

• A minimum of three months; and
• A maximum of nine months.

Applicants should also note that:

July, August, and September are not fellowship months.

Candidates should take these restrictions into account when proposing their preferred period of residence.

Financial Support

The fellowship is funded by IFSH.

Funding can be provided through either:

• A stipend paid to the fellow; or
• Reimbursement of the fellow’s home institution for the cost of a teaching replacement.

Applicants are also encouraged to explore whether their home institutions can provide financial support during the fellowship.

This could include arrangements such as:

• A sabbatical;
• Paid research leave; or
• Other forms of institutional financial contribution.

Any possible financial contribution from an applicant’s home institution is highly encouraged and should be mentioned in the application.

Independent Research and Academic Freedom

One of the principal advantages of the fellowship is the freedom given to fellows to pursue their own research.

Selected fellows can work independently on their proposed projects while benefiting from interdisciplinary intellectual exchange within the communities of HIAS and IFSH.

This structure provides researchers with time and space to concentrate on their projects while remaining connected to scholars from other disciplines and research traditions.

Fully Equipped Workspace in Hamburg

Fellows receive access to a fully equipped workspace in central Hamburg.

They also benefit from ongoing support from the HIAS and IFSH teams throughout their stay.

The working environment is intended to provide fellows with the practical resources and institutional support necessary to focus on their research and participate fully in the fellowship community.

IFSH Academic Tandem Partner

Every fellow is expected to collaborate with an academic tandem partner based at IFSH.

The tandem structure is an important component of the fellowship.

Through their IFSH tandem partner, fellows can gain access to:

• Relevant local academic networks;
• Research infrastructure;
• Institutional expertise;
• Potential collaborators; and
• Knowledge of Hamburg’s wider research environment.

Applicants are asked to identify possible academic tandem partners from IFSH in their application.

However, applicants do not need to have established contact with the potential tandem partner before applying.

Simply naming an appropriate potential tandem partner is sufficient.

A letter of intent is requested only when the applicant and prospective tandem partner already know each other and intend to collaborate.

Access to HIAS Member Institutions

In addition to the collaboration available through IFSH, HIAS will assist fellows in identifying and connecting with potential cooperation partners at one of its ten member institutions.

This provides fellows with opportunities to broaden their research networks and identify relevant scholars, expertise, or resources within Hamburg’s wider academic community.

Academic Program and Mandatory Participation

The fellowship involves more than independent research.

Fellows are expected to participate actively in the academic life of HIAS.

Mandatory activities include:

• Weekly lunches; and
• Colloquia and dinners at HIAS.

Fellows may also participate in additional excursions organised as part of the program.

Active participation in the academic program is mandatory, reflecting the fellowship’s emphasis on intellectual exchange and community building.

Family-Friendly Fellowship in Hamburg

HIAS and IFSH recognise that researchers may relocate with their families during longer research stays.

Selected fellows may therefore have access to accommodation in the centrally located guesthouse of the University of Hamburg.

The guesthouse provides fully furnished apartments equipped with cooking facilities.

The institutions also welcome fellows accompanied by:

• Life partners; and
• Children.

HIAS and IFSH can provide assistance with finding:

• Suitable accommodation;
• Schools; and
• Day care facilities.

This family-friendly approach can help researchers planning a stay of several months in Hamburg.

How Applications Will Be Evaluated

Applications are evaluated both on the applicant’s profile and the quality and suitability of the proposed research project.

Applicant Evaluation Criteria

Selection considers:

1. A doctorate in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, or life sciences;
2. Publications in relevant academic journals or comparable publication outlets;
3. Evidence of an interdisciplinary and international research profile;
4. Research experience related to the fellowship’s core research areas;
5. Prestigious prizes and awards, where relevant; and
6. A very good command of English.

Career stage will also be considered, with particular attention given to the future potential of early-career researchers.

Project Evaluation Criteria

Reviewers will consider whether the proposed project:

1. Opens up new questions and ways of thinking;
2. Benefits from interaction with other academic disciplines;
3. Addresses questions connected to the fellowship’s core research topics;
4. Is suitable for an Institute for Advanced Study environment;
5. Can be matched with an appropriate IFSH tandem partner; and
6. Is feasible within the research environments of HIAS, IFSH, and Hamburg.

Applicants should therefore make a clear case not only for the quality of their research idea but also for why Hamburg, HIAS, and IFSH are appropriate environments for undertaking the project.

Application Requirements

Applications must be submitted in English.

All required documents should be combined and uploaded as one PDF file through the official application form.

Applicants should prepare the following materials carefully.

1. Cover Letter

The cover letter should state:

• The applicant’s desired fellowship period;
• Possible academic tandem partner or partners at IFSH;
• Any possible partial financing through a sabbatical, paid leave, or similar arrangement, where applicable; and
• How the applicant’s research profile would enrich the fellowship group, IFSH, and the wider Hamburg research environment.

The cover letter provides candidates with an opportunity to explain why they are particularly well suited to the fellowship and how their participation could contribute to the broader intellectual community.

2. Letter of Intent From a Prospective Tandem Partner

Applicants may include a one-page letter of intent from their prospective IFSH tandem partner where applicable.

Importantly, this document is not mandatory for every applicant.

A letter of intent is requested only where the applicant and prospective tandem partner:

• Are already acquainted; and
• Intend to collaborate.

Applicants who have not previously contacted an IFSH researcher can simply name a possible tandem partner in their application.

Prior contact is therefore not required.

3. List of Most Important Publications

Applicants should provide a list of their most important publications.

The publication list must not exceed two pages.

Candidates should use this section to demonstrate the relevance and strength of their research record.

4. Curriculum Vitae

Applicants must submit a CV.

The CV should include relevant professional and academic information as well as details of:

• Prizes; and
• Awards.

Applicants should ensure that the CV clearly demonstrates their academic trajectory, relevant research experience, and interdisciplinary or international experience.

5. Research Project Description

Applicants must provide a description of their planned fellowship project.

The project description must not exceed three pages.

Given the evaluation criteria, applicants should clearly explain:

• The research problem or question;
• The project’s relevance;
• Its innovative contribution;
• Its relationship to the fellowship’s research priorities;
• Its interdisciplinary dimensions;
• Why interaction with other disciplines would benefit the project;
• Why HIAS and IFSH provide an appropriate research environment; and
• How the project can realistically be completed or substantially advanced during the proposed fellowship period.

6. Project Description for a Non-Specialist Audience

Applicants must also submit a separate description of their project aimed at a non-specialist audience.

This document must not exceed one page.

This requirement reflects the fellowship’s interest in projects that can contribute to broader public understanding.

Applicants should therefore communicate the significance and objectives of their research in clear and accessible language.

7. Optional Online Video, Talk or Lecture

Applicants may additionally provide a link to an online:

• Video;
• Talk; or
• Lecture.

This component is optional.

Application Deadline

The deadline to submit an application for the HIAS and IFSH Joint Fellowship Program is:

November 16, 2026

Applications must be uploaded in English as a single PDF file through the official application form by the deadline.

Prospective applicants should allow sufficient time to prepare their research proposal, publication list, CV, cover letter, and non-specialist project description.

Data Processing

Applicants should be aware that submitting an application constitutes consent to the purpose-related processing of their personal data.

Application information will be shared with:

• HIAS committees;
• IFSH committees; and
• External reviewers where necessary.

Applicants should take this into account when submitting their application materials.

Application Enquiries

Applicants with questions regarding the application procedure or required documents may contact:

Dr. Kerstin Bischl
Email: bischl@ifsh.de

Candidates are encouraged to carefully review the requirements and prepare all required documents before submitting their application.

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Why Consider the HIAS and IFSH Joint Fellowship Program?

The fellowship offers researchers the opportunity to combine independent scholarship with interdisciplinary engagement in one of Germany’s major academic cities.

Among its key features are:

• A funded research stay in Hamburg, Germany;
• Fellowship periods ranging from three to nine months;
• Freedom to pursue an independent research project;
• A stipend or reimbursement arrangement through IFSH;
• A fully equipped workspace in central Hamburg;
• Collaboration with an academic tandem partner at IFSH;
• Access to relevant local research networks and infrastructure;
• Opportunities to connect with researchers across HIAS member institutions;
• Participation in an interdisciplinary international fellowship community;
• Weekly academic lunches, colloquia, and dinners;
• Opportunities for additional excursions;
• Potential accommodation in the University of Hamburg guesthouse;
• Support for fellows relocating with partners and children; and
• Assistance with accommodation, schools, and day care.

The program is particularly relevant for researchers whose work engages with contemporary questions of peace, security, political violence, European security, international strategic competition, emerging technologies, cybersecurity, climate change, disaster preparedness, resilience, and civil protection.

Important Dates at a Glance

Prospective applicants should keep the following dates and conditions in mind:

• Application deadline: November 16, 2026
• Earliest fellowship start: October 2027
• Normal academic year: October 1 to June 30
• Minimum fellowship duration: Three months
• Maximum fellowship duration: Nine months
• Non-fellowship months: July, August, and September
• Location: Hamburg, Germany
• Working arrangement: On-site at HIAS and IFSH

Conclusion

The HIAS and IFSH Joint Fellowship Program 2027 in Germany provides an important opportunity for accomplished scholars to pursue independent and interdisciplinary research on some of the most significant peace and security challenges facing societies today.

With research areas spanning political violence, polarisation, radicalisation, counterterrorism, great power competition, deterrence, cybersecurity, European security, climate change, disaster preparedness, crisis resilience, and civil protection, the program offers considerable scope for researchers working across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and life sciences.

Beyond providing time for independent research, the fellowship places significant emphasis on intellectual exchange. Fellows become part of the academic communities of HIAS and IFSH, work alongside an IFSH tandem partner, connect with researchers across Hamburg, and participate actively in an interdisciplinary academic program.

The availability of fellowship funding, a fully equipped workspace, institutional assistance, potential guesthouse accommodation, and support for accompanying partners and children also makes the program suitable for scholars seeking an extended research stay in Germany.

Qualified researchers interested in joining the program should begin preparing their application documents well ahead of the November 16, 2026 deadline, ensuring that their proposed project clearly demonstrates originality, interdisciplinary potential, relevance to the fellowship’s research priorities, and suitability for the HIAS and IFSH research environment in Hamburg.

Visit the OFY website for more Fellowship Opportunities.