Summary The Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS) at the University of Freiburg is seeking applications for its 2027/28 Early Career Fellowship Programme. This highly competitive opportunity allows researchers from across the globe to spend 4 to 10 months in Germany, focusing exclusively on a top-quality, independent, and innovative research project. Successful fellows are integrated into a vibrant, interdisciplinary academic community where they benefit from substantial financial backing and institutional resources.
- 🎓 FRIAS Early Career Fellowship 2027/28 — The Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), University of Freiburg, Germany, invites international early-career researchers from all eligible disciplines to apply for a 4–10 month research fellowship.
- 🌍 Eligibility: Open to researchers of any nationality and from any discipline supported by the University of Freiburg.
- 🎯 Who Can Apply: Applicants must have a completed PhD, no more than 8 years of postdoctoral experience, at least 4 peer-reviewed publications since January 1, 2022, and at least 6 months of research/study experience abroad.
- 🔬 Research Focus: Applicants should propose an innovative, challenging, high-quality independent research project that fits Freiburg’s academic strengths and benefits from interdisciplinary interaction.
- 🏛️ Host Institution: Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
- 💰 Funding & Benefits: The fellowship provides financial and institutional support, including a research cost contribution, applicable inbound and outbound travel costs, and a fellowship contract or alternative compensation depending on the applicant’s circumstances.
- 🤝 Academic Environment: Fellows become part of FRIAS’s international and interdisciplinary research community, with opportunities for academic exchange, collaboration, and development of new research perspectives.
- 🧑🔬 Full-Time Requirement: Fellows are expected to maintain a full-time presence at FRIAS in Freiburg. Fieldwork outside Freiburg cannot be funded during the fellowship period.
- 📑 Application Documents: Applicants need a research project abstract, layperson’s abstract, ethical issue table, motivation statement, evaluator information, a research proposal of up to 3,000 words, CV in the required format, publication list, and PhD certificate.
- 🧪 Experimental Researchers: Experimental scientists must additionally provide a letter identifying a host laboratory in Freiburg and an experiment outline and timetable.
- 📅 Application Deadline: 18 September 2026 at 13:00 CET.
- 🗓️ Fellowship Period: The programme runs from 1 September 2027 to 31 August 2028, with individual fellowships lasting between 4 and 10 months.
- 📊 Competition: The fellowship is highly selective, with an expected success rate of approximately 5% of eligible applications.
- ⭐ Why Apply: The programme offers international research experience in Germany, interdisciplinary collaboration, financial support, travel assistance, access to the University of Freiburg’s research environment, and dedicated time to develop an independent research direction.
- 🔗 Application: Applicants should carefully review the official FRIAS programme documentation and application requirements before submitting their application.
Fellowship Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Host Institution | Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), University of Freiburg |
| Duration | 4 to 10 months (between September 1, 2027, and August 31, 2028) |
| Fellowship Type | Fully Funded Research Stay |
| Expected Success Rate | Approximately 5% of eligible applications |
Subject Area Open to any academic discipline that is supported by the University of Freiburg’s research environment.
Location Freiburg, Germany.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the FRIAS Early Career Fellowship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Completed PhD: Candidates must hold a completed doctoral degree.
- Postdoctoral Experience: Applicants must have a maximum of eight years of postdoctoral experience at the specified time.
- Publication Record: Candidates must demonstrate an active research record with at least four peer-reviewed publications since January 1, 2022.
- International Experience: Applicants must have completed at least six months of research or study experience at academic institutions in a country different from where they earned their first academic degree.
- Nationality: Open to researchers of any nationality.
Scholarship Description
The fellowship allows researchers to temporarily step away from their routine academic duties and dedicate themselves full-time to an innovative research project. Successful candidates receive:
- A fellowship contract with the University of Freiburg (or alternative compensation based on individual circumstances).
- A contribution towards research costs.
- Travel cost contributions for inbound and outbound journeys (where applicable).
- Access to the university’s broad academic structure and the FRIAS international research community.
Note: Fellows are expected to maintain a full-time presence at FRIAS to foster academic exchange. Fieldwork outside of Freiburg cannot be funded during the fellowship.
How to Apply
Interested researchers must apply via the online application system and submit the necessary documents. Because of the highly competitive nature of this program, applicants are advised to prepare early.
Required Attachments:
- Research Project Proposal: Maximum 3,000 words (including references and up to four graphs), adhering to the application manual structure.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): Submitted using the mandatory tabular template from the application portal.
- Publication List: A maximum of eight publications (at least four must be peer-reviewed and published after January 1, 2022).
- PhD Diploma: A copy of the doctoral degree certificate.
- Letter of Support (Experimental Scientists only): Identifying a host lab in Freiburg.
- Experiment Sketch & Timetable (Experimental Scientists only): An outline of the intended experiments.
- Evaluators: Contact details for two individuals willing to provide a personal evaluation.
You can begin your application process via the portal: Apply Here.
Last Date
The application deadline is 18 September 2026 at 13:00 CET.
