Heidelberg University and Max Weber Forum Launch Joint Fellowship for South Asian Scholars

Are you an early-career researcher from South Asia aiming to collaborate with leading European institutions? The South Asia Institute (SAI) at Heidelberg University, in partnership with the Max Weber Forum for South Asian Studies Delhi (MWF Delhi), invites applications for a prestigious three-month fellowship in Heidelberg, Germany. This program is tailored for scholars from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, or Bangladesh, focusing on disciplines such as ethnology, history, political science, economics, geography, modern South Asian languages and literatures, and cultural and religious history of South Asia.

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🗒️ Fellowship Summary

• Location: Heidelberg, Germany

• Host Institutions: South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University & Max Weber Forum for South Asian Studies Delhi

• Level: Postdoctoral (3–5 years post-PhD)

• Target Group: Early-career researchers from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, or Bangladesh

• Fields of Study: Ethnology, History, Political Science, Economics, Geography, Modern South Asian Languages and Literatures, Cultural and Religious History of South Asia

• Value and Coverage:

  • International travel reimbursement up to €1,500

  • Monthly stipend of €1,200

  • Accommodation costs covered

• Duration: 3 months (starting October 2025)

• Application Deadline: June 4, 2025

• Start Date: October 2025

• Eligibility: Citizens of India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, or Bangladesh with a PhD awarded within the last 3–5 years

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🎓 Fellowship Overview

This collaborative fellowship aims to foster research partnerships between South Asian scholars and the South Asia Institute at Heidelberg University. Fellows will reside in Heidelberg for three months, during which they will develop a research project into a comprehensive third-party funding application. This could include proposals for research funding, exchange programs, or academic events. Active participation in SAI's academic events is expected throughout the fellowship period.

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🎁 Fellowship Benefits

• Reimbursement of international travel expenses up to €1,500

• Monthly stipend of €1,200

• Coverage of accommodation costs in Heidelberg

• Support in developing third-party funding applications

• Integration into SAI's academic community and events

• Assistance with visa applications, if necessary

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✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be nationals of India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, or Bangladesh

• Have completed their PhD within the last 3–5 years

• Possess a strong academic background in the specified fields of study

• Demonstrate a clear research agenda that aligns with the fellowship's objectives

• Be committed to developing a third-party funding application during the fellowship

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📝 Application Procedure

Interested candidates should submit the following documents in English by June 4, 2025, to scholarship@mwsindia.org:

1. A short cover letter (maximum 1 page)

2. Curriculum vitae, including a complete list of publications

3. Copy of the doctoral certificate

4. Project description (no more than 2,000 words) outlining the research to be developed during the fellowship

5. Contact information for two referees who have agreed to provide references

ℹ️ All documents should be compiled into a single PDF file. Selection results will be communicated by the end of June 2025. For inquiries, contact Dr. Martin Gieselmann at gieselmann@sai.uni-heidelberg.de.

🔗 OFFICIAL LINK

Heidelberg University X MWF Delhi Joint Fellowship for young scholars from South Asia

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