International Senior Fellowship Programme 2026/2027
- Omran Aburayya
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
If you are an accomplished researcher in the social sciences or humanities seeking to advance your work through international collaboration, the International Senior Fellowship Programme 2026/2027 at the College for Social Sciences and Humanities in Essen, Germany, presents a remarkable opportunity. Applications are now open for this prestigious fellowship, designed to foster innovative research partnerships within one of Europe's most dynamic academic landscapes. Let's dig into details.
International Senior Fellowship Programme Summary
Location: Essen, Germany
Host Institution: College for Social Sciences and Humanities, part of the Research Alliance Ruhr
Academic Level: Senior researchers (preferably R4 level)
Target Group: International scholars in the social sciences and humanities
Fields of Research: Social sciences and humanities
Funding Type: Fully Funded
Duration: Six months
Application Deadline: 25 May 2025 (23:59 CEST)
Start Dates: 1 March 2026 or 1 September 2026
Eligibility:Advanced, well-established senior researchers active at foreign universities or research institutions
International Senior Fellowship Programme Overview
The College for Social Sciences and Humanities, established in 2021 as part of the Research Alliance Ruhr—a collaboration among the University of Duisburg-Essen, Ruhr University Bochum, and TU Dortmund University—offers an excellent academic environment for outstanding international researchers. Located in Essen, Germany, in the heart of the Ruhr region, the College provides a vibrant setting for scholars to pursue self-selected research projects in close collaboration with local tandem partners from the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr).
Programme Structure and Activities:
Fellows will engage in independent research projects while collaborating with a designated tandem partner from the UA Ruhr. The programme emphasizes interdisciplinary exchange and integration into the academic community through:
Weekly colloquia
Workshops
Lectures
Reading groups
Joint events organized with tandem partners
Fellowship Benefits:
1. Financial Support:
General allowance of €3,050 per month (pre-tax)
Family allowance of €250 per month (if applicable)
Mobility allowance of €125 per month for relocation costs
Alternative funding options include compensation agreements within reasonable limits (usually equivalent to a W3 professorship with approximately €7,100 pre-tax per month) or a monthly grant of €5,000 (pre-tax)
Project budget of up to €7,500 (€1,250 per month) for joint workshops, conferences, publications, etc.
Travel expenses for arrival and departure reimbursed according to the State Travel Act of North Rhine-Westphalia
Full reimbursement of visa costs
2. Facilities and Support:
Dedicated office space at the College
Access to meeting and conference rooms equipped with modern technology for (hybrid) events
Individual support services, including IT support, library services, and assistance from a Fellow Manager and Event Coordinator
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the International Senior Fellowship Programme, Applicants must:
Be advanced and well-established senior researchers (preferably R4 level)
Be active members of a foreign university or research institution (both at the time of application and during the fellowship)
Have an outstanding research profile in the social sciences and/or humanities, demonstrated by a significant track record of excellent publications
Have completed their doctorate at least six years prior to the application
Seek to initiate or intensify research collaboration with a fellow researcher from the UA Ruhr
Application Procedure
1. Identify a Tandem Partner:
Establish a partnership with an advanced, highly experienced senior researcher (at least R3 level) from one of the UA Ruhr universities (University of Duisburg-Essen, Ruhr University Bochum, TU Dortmund University) working in the fields of social sciences and/or humanities. More information for potential tandem partners can be found here
2. Prepare Application Materials:
Submit the following documents via the online application form:
An abstract of the planned research project (up to 2,500 characters including spaces)
A brief outline of the planned research project and the intended tandem collaboration (written in English, up to 10,000 characters including spaces)
Information on the preferred period of the fellowship
Information on the preferred funding option
The name of the potential tandem partner and a letter of intent confirming their commitment to collaborate during the fellowship
The desired outcome/goal of the fellowship and tandem collaboration (e.g., joint conference, publication, grant proposal)
Curriculum Vitae, including a list of the applicant’s five most important publications
3. Submission Details
Once you have the two steps above covered, you can proceed to submitting your application by filling the online application form linked here.
🗓️ Application Deadline: 25 May 2025 (23:59 CEST)
🔗 OFFICIAL LINK
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