Applications are open for the IFSH–HIAS Fellowship Program 2027
Applications are open for the IFSH–HIAS Fellowship Program, a joint initiative of the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH) and the Hamburg Institute for Advanced Study (HIAS).
The fellowship invites outstanding scholars and researchers to undertake an extended research stay in Hamburg, Germany, within an interdisciplinary environment focused on peace, security and related global challenges.
The programme is also open to artists, policymakers and other professionals whose work connects closely with the fellowship's research areas and engages meaningfully with scholarly inquiry.
About the Fellowship
The programme provides fellows with the opportunity to pursue an independent research project while becoming part of the intellectual communities at IFSH and HIAS.
Fellows work alongside researchers and internationally recognised scholars from different disciplines, with opportunities to exchange ideas, develop collaborations and contribute to broader discussions around peace and security.
The fellowship particularly welcomes projects that take an interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary approach and have potential to contribute to public understanding of important research questions.
Research Areas
Applications are particularly encouraged for projects addressing or connecting with the following areas:
Peace, Society and Political Violence
Research may explore societal perspectives on peace and security, political violence, fascism, polarisation, radicalisation and counterterrorism.
Conflict, Arms and Emerging Technologies
Relevant projects may examine great-power conflict, arms dynamics, deterrence, strategic stability, emerging technologies and cybersecurity.
European Security
Research can focus on European security architecture, regional security organisations and the future of European security.
Climate and Security
The programme also welcomes work examining climate change and security, polycrisis, disaster response and preparedness, crisis resilience and civil protection.
Projects that connect these themes across different academic disciplines are particularly encouraged.
Fellowship Period
The academic year normally runs from 1 October to 30 June of the following year.
Applicants should indicate their preferred period of residence, which must be:
- At least three months
- No more than nine months
July, August and September are not fellowship months.
Because fellows are expected to live and work in Hamburg, proposed projects must be suitable for being conducted on-site at HIAS and IFSH.
Each fellow is also expected to collaborate with an IFSH-based academic tandem partner.
Project Evaluation
Proposed projects will be assessed on several aspects, including whether they:
- Introduce new questions or ways of thinking.
- Benefit from interdisciplinary interaction.
- Address issues relevant to the fellowship's core research themes.
- Fit the environment of an Institute for Advanced Study.
- Can be matched with a suitable tandem partner at IFSH.
- Are feasible within the research environment of HIAS, IFSH and Hamburg.
16 November 2026
The IFSH–HIAS Fellowship Program provides an opportunity for researchers working across peace, security, climate, technology and related fields to develop their work within Hamburg's academic and research environment while building connections with scholars from different disciplines and regions.
Additional Information
Key benefits include:
- Fellowship funding through a stipend or reimbursement of the home institution's costs for a teaching replacement.
- A fully equipped workspace in central Hamburg.
- Support from HIAS and IFSH teams throughout the fellowship.
- An academic tandem partner based at IFSH.
- Access to relevant research networks and infrastructure.
- Opportunities to connect with cooperation partners through HIAS.
- Participation in HIAS weekly lunches, colloquia and dinners.
- Opportunities to take part in additional academic excursions.
- Potential accommodation in a centrally located University of Hamburg guesthouse.
- Support for accompanying partners and children in finding suitable accommodation, schools and childcare.
- Applicants whose home institutions can provide partial financial support through arrangements such as sabbatical or paid leave are encouraged to mention this in their applications.
Applicants should generally have:
- A doctorate in the humanities, social sciences or natural/life sciences.
- Publications in relevant academic journals or comparable outlets.
- An interdisciplinary and international research profile.
- Relevant research experience connected to the programme's core themes.
- A strong interest in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary exchange.
- Excellent command of English.
- Academic career stage is taken into consideration during selection, with particular attention given to the future potential of early-career researchers.
- Applications are also particularly encouraged from female and non-binary scholars, early-career researchers and individuals from regions that are underrepresented in research and academia.
Artists, policymakers and other professionals may also be considered where their work closely aligns with the programme's research focus and demonstrates substantive engagement with scholarly inquiry.
Applications are open for the IFSH–HIAS Fellowship Program 2027 0 reviews
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