FRIAS Fellowship Programmes in Germany (Fully Funded)

The FRIAS Fellowship Programmes in Germany offer fully funded research opportunities for early-career and senior researchers from around the world. Hosted by the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS) at the University of Freiburg, these fellowships provide an international and interdisciplinary environment for scholars to focus on their projects. Three distinct programs are offered for the 2027/28 academic year, taking place between September 1, 2026, and August 31, 2027, in Freiburg, Germany: the FRIAS Early Career Fellowship Programme, the FRIAS Senior Fellowship Programme, and the FRIAS Sustainable Governance Fellowship Programme for Researchers from Africa.

Selected fellows will receive a fellowship contract with the University of Freiburg or alternative compensation. The program provides a monthly living allowance, additional funding for accommodation, and a mobility allowance to cover inbound and outbound travel costs. Fellows will have access to office space, the campus library, and exceptional research support from the host university.

FRIAS fellowships are open to researchers from all disciplines and nationalities, with specific requirements for each program: * FRIAS Early Career Fellowship Programme: * Applicants must have completed their doctoral degree within the last eight years. * Must have at least six months of research or study experience at an academic institution in a country different from where their first academic degree was earned. * Must have 4 peer-reviewed publications since January 1, 2022. * Open to scholars from any nationality and any discipline supported by the University of Freiburg. * FRIAS Senior Fellowship Programme: * Applicants must have completed their doctoral degree and possess at least eight years of post-doctoral experience. * Must have at least six months of research or study experience at an academic institution in a country different from where their first academic degree was earned. * Must have 10 peer-reviewed publications since January 1, 2020. * Open to scholars from any nationality and any discipline supported by the University of Freiburg. * FRIAS Sustainable Governance Fellowship Programme for Researchers from Africa: * Applicants must have completed their doctoral degree and possess at least eight years of post-doctoral experience. * Must have at least six months of research or study experience at an academic institution in a country different from where their first academic degree was earned AND must have received a Master's or PhD in an African country. * Must have 5 peer-reviewed publications since January 1, 2017, including at least one with or as a co-author. * Applicants must be based in an African country. * Applications are considered only in the Humanities and Social Sciences disciplines with a focus on sustainable governance. * Candidates should provide a letter of cooperation by an academic partner at the University of Freiburg.

Applicants are generally required to submit: * A project proposal. * A CV in tabular form. * A publication list. * A copy of their PhD diploma. * For Early Career and Senior Fellowships: A letter of support identifying a host laboratory in Freiburg and an experiment sketch and timetable. * For Sustainable Governance Fellowship: A letter of Cooperation by an academic partner at the University of Freiburg.

The application process involves several steps: 1. First fill out and send the initial application form. 2. Then register and continue with the additional sections of the form. 3. Upload all required annexes. 4. Complete the ethical issues questionnaire. 5. Submit your application.

The duration of the fellowships varies by program: Early Career Fellowships are 4-10 months, Senior Fellowships are 3-8 months, and the Sustainable Governance Fellowship for Researchers from Africa is 6 months. All programs are for the 2027/28 academic year.