The Hamburg Institute for Advanced Study (HIAS) in Germany is accepting applications for its 2028–2029 Fellowships. The programme invites outstanding scholars and scientists (with a doctorate) and artists and cultural professionals of all career stages and nationalities to spend three to nine months in Hamburg working on their own projects, with a stipend, an office and a local partner.
Deadline: 1 February 2027, 23:59 CET (23:59 WAT, 00:59 CAT/SAST and 01:59 EAT on 2 February).
Key Details
- Host: Hamburg Institute for Advanced Study (HIAS), Germany
- Fellowship year: 1 October 2028 – 30 June 2029
- Length: your choice, minimum 3 months
- Open to: all nationalities and career stages
- Funding: stipend (or partial reimbursement of your home institution’s replacement costs)
- Deadline: 1 February 2027, 23:59 CET
Benefits
- a stipend, or partial reimbursement to your home institution for teaching replacement
- office space in central Hamburg and ongoing staff support (literature, workshops)
- a tandem partner, a scholar or cultural professional at a HIAS member institution
- weekly fellows’ lunches, colloquia with dinner, and optional monthly excursions
- help with housing; furnished apartments in the University of Hamburg guesthouse may be available
- family-friendly support: help finding accommodation, schools and daycare for partners and children
Eligibility
- researchers in the humanities, social sciences and natural/life sciences with at least a doctorate
- artists and cultural professionals at any career stage (a link between art and research is desirable)
- all nationalities; early-career researchers, emerging artists and people from underrepresented regions are especially welcome
- a project that can be carried out on site in Hamburg
- not based in the Hamburg metropolitan region
HIAS also welcomes applicants who can bring partial funding, such as a sabbatical or paid leave.
What to Include in Your Application
- a description of your project and why it suits an Institute for Advanced Study
- your preferred fellowship period (at least three months)
- possible academic or artistic tandem partner(s) in Hamburg (no prior contact needed)
- any partial funding you can bring
- a statement on how you’ll enrich the fellows’ group and Hamburg
- a letter of intent from your tandem partner, only if you already agreed to work together
How to Apply
- Read the full call on the official HIAS application page.
- Identify a possible tandem partner at a Hamburg institution.
- Prepare your project description and other documents.
- Submit through HIAS’s application system before 1 February 2027, 23:59 CET.
Tips for African Applicants
- Show why your project gains from Hamburg’s institutions, archives or arts scene.
- Highlight the interdisciplinary angle; HIAS values work that crosses fields.
- Mention public engagement: HIAS expects fellows to share their work beyond academia.
- Plan your Schengen visa early once selected.
