Germany Käte Hamburger Kolleg Fellowship 2026/27

December 31, 2025 10:57 am

Germany Käte Hamburger Kolleg Fellowship 2026/27

For pioneering scholars whose work bridges the sciences and humanities, a premier opportunity in Germany is now open. The Käte Hamburger Kolleg: Cultures of Research (c:o/re) at RWTH Aachen University has officially launched its Fellowship Call for the 2026/27 academic year. This prestigious program invites outstanding junior and senior researchers worldwide to join an elite, interdisciplinary community for up to one year, beginning in October 2026.

A Fully Supported Research Residency

This fellowship provides comprehensive support designed to create an ideal environment for scholarly exploration. The benefits include:

Generous Financial Grant: A full fellowship grant tailored to the fellow’s academic seniority, including a monthly living stipend for those without other regular income.
Logistical & Academic Support: Fully equipped office space, assistance with securing accommodation in Aachen, and full access to RWTH Aachen’s research labs and networks.
Institutional Flexibility: The unique option of teaching replacement funding for the fellow’s home institution, facilitating a genuine leave of absence.
Collaborative Community: Integration into a vibrant international cohort of scholars within a dedicated research center.

Who Is This Fellowship For?

The c:o/re fellowship seeks researchers investigating how scientific knowledge is created across different cultures and disciplines. The program is ideal for you if you are:

A postdoctoral researcher (with a PhD in hand by the application deadline) or an established senior scholar
From a background in the humanities, social sciences, engineering, natural sciences, or life sciences.
Working on a project aligned with the annual thematic focus, “Varieties of Science.”
Committed to interdisciplinary dialogue and willing to reside in Aachen to participate actively in the center’s weekly seminars and events.
The Kolleg particularly encourages applications from female researchers and scholars based in the Global South.

The Application Process: Thematic Alignment is Key

A successful application must demonstrate both academic excellence and a clear fit with the center’s research agenda. You are required to submit:

A completed online application form.
A cover letter, academic CV, and publication list.
One academic writing sample in English.

A concise research exposé (max. 3 pages) that clearly outlines your proposed project and explains its contribution to understanding the “Cultures of Research.”

Click Here to Apply

Critical Application Deadline

The final deadline to submit your complete application is 31 December 2025. Given the detailed nature of the proposal and the competitive selection process, starting your preparations well in advance is strongly advised.

Crafting a Compelling Application

Your research exposé is the cornerstone of your application. It should articulate not just what you will research, but how your project engages with the core mission of examining knowledge production across cultural and institutional boundaries. Furthermore, highlight your experience with and commitment to interdisciplinary work, as active participation in the center’s collaborative culture is a fundamental expectation. Demonstrating how your presence would enrich the intellectual community at c:o/re can significantly strengthen your candidacy.

The Käte Hamburger Kolleg Fellowship represents a rare chance to pursue deep, interdisciplinary scholarship within Germany’s renowned academic landscape. By submitting a thoughtful application that showcases an innovative project aligned with the “Varieties of Science” theme, you can secure your place in this transformative research environment. For the official application portal and detailed thematic information, visit the Käte Hamburger Kolleg: Cultures of Research website.