Summary
The FRIAS Fellowship Programmes are fully sponsored opportunities designed for both junior and senior researchers from around the world. Hosted by the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies at the University of Freiburg, these international fellowships provide a unique environment for scholars of varied cultural and academic backgrounds to collaborate, utilize top-tier university resources, and conduct innovative research projects.
- 🌍 FRIAS Fellowship Programmes 2026-27 are fully funded research fellowships hosted by the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), Germany, inviting junior and senior researchers from around the world.
- 🎓 Host Institution: Fellows will conduct research at the University of Freiburg, benefiting from interdisciplinary collaboration, academic networks, research facilities, office space, and library access.
- 💰 Funding Benefits: The fellowship provides a monthly allowance, travel/mobility support, and either a fellowship contract with the University of Freiburg or another form of financial compensation.
- 📚 Available Fellowship Categories:
- Early Career Fellowship Programme
- Senior Fellowship Programme
- Sustainable Governance Fellowship Programme for Researchers from Africa
- ⏳ Duration of Fellowships:
- Early Career Fellowship: 4–10 months
- Senior Fellowship: 3–8 months
- Sustainable Governance Fellowship: 6 months
- 📅 Fellowship Period: The programmes will run from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027 in Freiburg, Germany.
- 🌐 Eligibility – Early Career Fellowship: Applicants must have a completed PhD, no more than 8 years of postdoctoral experience, at least 4 peer-reviewed publications since January 2022, international research experience, and an innovative research project.
- 🏛️ Eligibility – Senior Fellowship: Candidates must hold a PhD with at least 8 years of postdoctoral experience, 10 peer-reviewed publications since January 2020, international academic experience, and a high-quality research proposal.
- 🌍 Eligibility – Sustainable Governance Fellowship (Africa): Applicants must be based in an African country, hold a PhD with at least 8 years of postdoctoral experience, have five peer-reviewed publications, international experience, and research focused on sustainable governance in humanities or social sciences.
- 👩🔬 Eligible Fields & Nationalities: Researchers from all disciplines that can be hosted at the University of Freiburg and applicants of all nationalities are eligible (subject to programme-specific requirements).
- 📄 Required Documents: Applicants need to submit a research proposal, CV, publication list, PhD certificate, recommendation letter identifying a Freiburg host laboratory, and research timeline/experiment outline.
- 📝 Application Process: Candidates must complete the preliminary application form, register for the application portal, upload required documents, complete the ethical considerations survey, and submit the final application.
- 🗓️ Application Deadline: 18 September 2026
- 🇩🇪 Award Country: Germany
- 🏫 Offered By: Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS)
- ⏱️ Duration: 4–10 months (depending on fellowship category)
- 🌎 Eligible Nationality: All nationalities
- 🎯 Scholarship Type: Fully Funded Research Fellowship
Program Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Offered by | The Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS) |
| Duration | 4-10 months (varies by program) |
| Scholarship Coverage | Fully Funded |
| Eligible Nationality | All Nationalities (specific criteria for the Africa program) |
| Award Country | Germany |
Subject Area:
- Early Career & Senior Fellowships: Open to researchers of any discipline that can be hosted by the University of Freiburg.
- Sustainable Governance Fellowships: Humanities and Social Sciences with a focus on sustainable governance.
Location: Freiburg, Germany
Scholarship Description & Benefits
During the fellowship (running between September 1, 2026, and August 31, 2027), scholars will enjoy comprehensive support and access to the University of Freiburg’s exceptional research facilities, including:
- A fellowship contract with the University of Freiburg or equivalent financial compensation/monthly allowance.
- A mobility/travel allowance sufficient to cover inbound and outbound travel expenses.
- Access to dedicated office space and the university library.
Eligibility Criteria
Early Career Fellowships:
- Completed doctoral degree with no more than 8 years of post-doctoral experience.
- At least 4 peer-reviewed publications since January 1, 2022.
- A minimum of 6 months of research/study experience at an academic institution in a country different from the one where the first degree was obtained.
- Proposal of a challenging and innovative research project.
Senior Fellowships:
- Completed doctoral program with at least 8 years of post-doctoral work experience.
- At least 10 peer-reviewed articles published since January 1, 2020.
- A minimum of 6 months of international research/study experience.
- Proposal of a high-academic-quality, innovative research topic.
Sustainable Governance Fellowships (for Researchers from Africa):
- Completed doctoral qualification with at least 8 years of post-doctoral experience.
- At least 5 peer-reviewed papers since January 1, 2017 (at least one co-authored).
- Must currently reside in an African country and have attained their Master’s/PhD in an African country.
- At least 6 months of international research/study experience.
- Must provide a letter of cooperation from an academic partner at the University of Freiburg.
How to Apply
To apply for the FRIAS Fellowship Programmes, follow these steps:
- Submit your application by filling out the preliminary form.
- Register and proceed with the remaining sections of the application form.
- Upload all necessary required documents (including Project Proposal, CV, List of Publications, PhD Certificate copy, Recommendation Letter identifying a host lab, and an outline/schedule of the experiment).
- Complete the ethical considerations survey.
- Submit your final application.
Last Date to Apply: 18 September 2026
