IEG Fellowships for Doctoral Students 2026 – Fully Funded Research Opportunity in Germany

Omran Aburayya
Jun 3
3 min read

If you're a doctoral student in history, theology, or a related discipline with a historical focus, the Leibniz Institute of European History (IEG) in Mainz, Germany, offers a prestigious opportunity to advance your research. Applications are now open for the IEG Fellowships for Doctoral Students, with the next deadline on August 15, 2025, for fellowships commencing in March 2026 or later. This fellowship provides a unique chance to engage in independent research within a vibrant academic community, focusing on European history and its global connections.

📝IEG Fellowship Summary

Location: Mainz, Germany
Host Institution: Leibniz Institute of European History (IEG)
Study Level: Doctoral (PhD)
Target Group: PhD students from Germany and abroad
Fields of Study: History, Theology, and other disciplines with a historical approach
Funding: €1,350 per month; additional family and child allowances available
Duration: 6 to 12 months
Application Deadline: August 15, 2025
Start Date: March 2026 or later
Eligibility: PhD students who have been pursuing their doctorate for no more than three years at the time of the application deadline

📚 Fellowship Overview

The IEG Fellowships are designed to support doctoral students in completing their dissertations. Fellows will reside in Mainz and be integrated into the IEG's scholarly community, participating in weekly colloquia and presenting their research progress. The Institute emphasizes projects that:

Adopt comparative or cross-border approaches
Explore European history in relation to the wider world
Focus on intellectual and religious history
Utilize digital tools and methods

Note that the IEG does not award academic degrees; dissertations are completed under the supervision of the fellows' home universities.

🎁 Fellowship Benefits

Monthly Stipend: €1,350
Family Allowance: Available for fellows whose partners accompany them to Mainz and have an income of less than €450 per month
Child Allowance: Available for fellows accompanied by underage children
Research Environment: Access to the IEG's resources and participation in its academic activities

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

Hold a Master's degree in history, theology, or a related discipline with a historical focus
Have been pursuing their doctorate for no more than three years at the time of the application deadline (exceptions may be considered)
Demonstrate proficiency in English; applications can be submitted in English or German
Be prepared to reside in Mainz for the duration of the fellowship and actively participate in the IEG's academic community

📝 Application Procedure

📂 Required Documents:

Completed application form (available on the IEG website)
Curriculum vitae and list of publications (if applicable)
Outline of the Ph.D. thesis (up to 15,000 characters, excluding footnotes and spaces)
Structure of the Ph.D. thesis
Detailed timetable for the intended stay at the Institute
Copies of university transcripts and proof of language competence

📬 Submission:

Combine all documents (except the application form) into a single PDF file
Email the application to: application@ieg-mainz.de
Subject line: "Fellowship Application"

🗒️ References:

Two expert opinions are required:
- One from the primary academic advisor
- One from an external academic referee (from another university or a neighboring discipline)
Referees should send their letters directly to: fellowship@ieg-mainz.de
Letters should discuss the applicant's qualifications, the PhD project's topic, goals, current state, and a synopsis of the work to be done in Mainz