Joint HIAS and IFSH Fellowship Program 2027

Contexte

The Joint Fellowship Program of HIAS and the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH) invites outstanding scholars to undertake a research stay in Hamburg, Germany. The fellowship is designed for researchers with a minimum doctorate who have a strong academic record, interdisciplinary interests and research experience related to peace and security.

The programme provides fellows with an opportunity to pursue an independent research project while engaging with internationally recognised scholars at HIAS and IFSH. Applications from early-career researchers and individuals from regions that are underrepresented in research and academia are particularly welcomed.

The fellowship takes place on-site in Hamburg, Germany, at HIAS and IFSH. Projects that cannot be conducted in person are not eligible. The academic year normally runs from October 1 to June 30 of the following year. Applicants should indicate their preferred fellowship period, which must be at least 3 months, no more than 9 months, and between October and June (July, August and September are not fellowship months). Applicants who already live within the Hamburg metropolitan region are not eligible.

Missions et responsabilités

• Pursue an independent research project while engaging with internationally recognised scholars at HIAS and IFSH
• Participate actively in the HIAS academic programme, with mandatory attendance at weekly lunches and colloquia/dinners
• Participate in additional excursions and academic activities
• Engage in substantial exchange across disciplines, countries and career stages
• Collaborate with an IFSH academic tandem partner

Profil recherché

Applicants must normally hold at least a doctorate in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences or life sciences.

Selection considers:

• Relevant academic publications or comparable publications
• An interdisciplinary and international research profile
• Experience in one or more of the fellowship’s core research areas
• Academic prizes and awards
• Very good English-language skills
• Potential for future academic development, particularly for early-career researchers

The fellowship welcomes projects addressing peace and security issues, particularly research connected to areas such as:

• Peace and security, political violence, fascism, polarisation, radicalisation and counterterrorism
• Great-power conflict, arms dynamics, deterrence and strategic stability
• Emerging technologies and cybersecurity
• European security architecture and regional security organisations
• The future of European security
• Climate change and security
• Polycrisis, disaster response and preparedness
• Crisis resilience and civil protection

Artists, policymakers and other professionals may also be considered where their work is closely connected to the programme’s research focus and engages substantially with scholarly inquiry.

Conditions et avantages

The fellowship is funded by IFSH through either a stipend paid to the fellow or reimbursement of costs incurred by the fellow’s home institution for a teaching replacement.

Additional benefits include:

• Independent pursuit of an individual research project
• Fully equipped workspace in central Hamburg
• Support from HIAS and IFSH teams
• An academic tandem partner based at IFSH
• Access to local research networks and infrastructure
• Opportunities to connect with cooperation partners through HIAS
• Participation in HIAS academic activities and interdisciplinary exchange
• Potential accommodation in the University of Hamburg’s centrally located guesthouse
• Support with accommodation, schools and childcare for accompanying families

Dossier de candidature

Applications must contain:

• Cover letter, including the preferred fellowship period, potential IFSH tandem partner(s), possible home-institution financing and the applicant’s contribution to the fellow group and research environment
• Letter of intent from a prospective tandem partner, where applicable, limited to one page
• Most important publications list, maximum two pages
• CV, including prizes and awards
• Research project description, maximum three pages

Project description for a non-specialist audience, maximum one page

• Optional link to an online video, talk or lecture

Comment postuler

Applications must be submitted in English as one PDF file through the official application form.

Deadline: November 16, 2026

For questions about the application and required documents, applicants can contact Dr. Kerstin Bischl.

Applicants should review the complete fellowship requirements and submit their application through the official IFSH application process on the Official IFSH Fellowship Announcement and Application Page.