Summary The Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin is offering a prestigious, fully funded, three- to five-month fellowship for international early-career researchers. Designed for scholars in the natural and life sciences, psychology, and medicine, this residency allows participants to step away from traditional wet-lab or clinical routines. Instead, fellows can utilize this time to develop new research topics, analyze findings, publish papers or books, prepare grants, and form interdisciplinary partnerships in Berlin.
Designation Early-Career Researcher (includes postdoctoral researchers, physicians, junior group leaders, instructors, assistant or associate professors, and early-career principal investigators).
Key Details
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Offered By | Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin |
| Duration | 3 to 5 months (between September 2027 and July 2028) |
| Scholarship Coverage | Fully Funded |
| Eligible Nationality | All Nationalities |
| Award Country | Germany |
| Last Date to Apply | 1 November 2026 |
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Research Area Natural sciences, psychology, medicine, and life sciences.
Location Berlin, Germany.
Eligibility/Qualification
- Educational Background: Must possess a PhD, MD, or similar doctorate by the time the fellowship begins. (Note: Current PhD students are eligible only if they officially earn their degree before starting the residency).
- Publication Record: Must have a minimum of one peer-reviewed journal publication as a main author.
- Career Stage: Must be just starting out in their research career. A minimum of two years of postdoctoral experience is typical. Researchers who have been principal investigators for more than five years are advised to apply for the standard fellowship instead.
- Current Employment: Must work outside of a Berlin-based organization.
Job Description & Financial Benefits
- Project Scope: Applicants should not propose projects requiring novel wet-lab experiments. The focus should be on independent theoretical work, data analysis, writing, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Compensation: A full stipend determined by the applicant’s prior salary.
- Accommodation: On-campus studio housing. (Families and partners are welcome, but due to limited space, applicants must consult the program beforehand regarding suitable family accommodations).
- Additional Perks: Coverage of travel expenses, relocation support, daily lunches, complete access to IT and library services, and assistance with German registration and immigration paperwork.
How to Apply Applications are evaluated by a scientific committee based on academic success, project quality, interdisciplinarity, and future potential. Applicants must submit the following required documents online:
- Completed application form.
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Résumé.
- A 1,000-word project idea (must explain why the project benefits from moving away from normal laboratory work and engaging in interdisciplinary discussions).
- A 500-word motivation letter.
- A list of up to five significant publications.
- Other relevant supporting documents.
Last Date for Apply 1 November 2026
