FRIAS Fellowship Programmes 2027/28: Research Fellowships at the University of Freiburg

The Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS) has opened applications for its 2027/28 Fellowship Programmes, offering researchers from around the world the opportunity to spend several months at the University of Freiburg in Germany and focus on their research projects within an international and interdisciplinary academic community.

The programmes are designed for both early-career and senior researchers and provide dedicated research time, opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and access to the resources of the University of Freiburg.

What does the FRIAS Fellowship offer?

Selected fellows receive a range of financial and academic benefits designed to allow them to concentrate on their research.

Depending on the programme, fellows can receive:

• a monthly living allowance;
• additional funding for accommodation;
• a mobility allowance to help cover travel costs;
• office space;
• access to University of Freiburg libraries and academic resources;
• tailored support for specific research needs;
• opportunities to participate in an international interdisciplinary research community.

Applications are open to researchers working in disciplines that can be supported at the University of Freiburg.

FRIAS Early Career Fellowship Programme

The FRIAS Early Career Fellowship Programme is aimed at researchers who are at an early stage of their academic careers.

Applicants must have completed their PhD within the last eight years at the time of application. They must also have at least six months of research or study experience at an academic institution in a country other than the country where they earned their first academic degree.

Researchers from all disciplines supported at the University of Freiburg are encouraged to apply.

The fellowship has a funding period of four to ten months.

Application deadline

18 September 2026 at 13:00

More information is available on the official FRIAS page for the Early Career Fellowship 2027/28.

FRIAS Senior Fellowship Programme

The FRIAS Senior Fellowship Programme is intended for established researchers with substantial postdoctoral experience.

Applicants must have completed their PhD and have at least eight years of post-doctoral experience at the time of application. They must also demonstrate at least six months of research or study experience at an academic institution outside the country where they obtained their first academic degree.

Applications are welcome from researchers working in all disciplines supported by the University of Freiburg.

The fellowship lasts between three and eight months.

Application deadline

18 September 2026 at 13:00

Further information can be found on the official FRIAS Senior Fellowship Programme 2027/28 page.

FRIAS Sustainable Governance Fellowship Programme for Researchers from Africa

The FRIAS Sustainable Governance Fellowship Programme provides an opportunity specifically for researchers from Africa whose work focuses on the humanities and social sciences.

Applicants must have completed their PhD and have at least eight years of post-doctoral experience. They must also have at least six months of research or study experience at an academic institution in a country other than the country where they earned their first academic degree.

The programme is open to researchers of all nationalities who are based at an institution in Africa.

The fellowship focuses on research in the humanities and social sciences and has a funding period of six months.

Application deadline

18 September 2026 at 13:00

Applicants can find the full eligibility requirements and application information on the official FRIAS Sustainable Governance Fellowship page.

Who should consider applying?

The FRIAS Fellowship Programmes may be particularly attractive to researchers who want to:

• dedicate several months exclusively to an important research project;
• work in an international academic environment;
• develop interdisciplinary collaborations;
• access the academic infrastructure of the University of Freiburg;
• gain international research experience;
• develop new academic networks and partnerships.

The different programmes cover researchers at different career stages, from early-career academics to highly experienced senior researchers.

Important deadline

All three fellowship programmes listed for the 2027/28 academic year have the same application deadline:

18 September 2026, 13:00.

Researchers interested in applying should carefully review the specific eligibility criteria and application requirements of their chosen programme before submitting their application.

How to apply

Applications and detailed programme information are available through the official FRIAS website of the University of Freiburg.

Researchers can also subscribe to the institute's Open Calls updates to receive information about future fellowship opportunities.

For additional questions, FRIAS can be contacted at:

fellowships@frias.uni-freiburg.de

Final thoughts

The FRIAS Fellowship Programmes offer researchers the chance to spend several months in Freiburg, Germany, with financial support for living expenses, accommodation and mobility, while becoming part of an international research environment.

With fellowships available for early-career researchers, senior academics and researchers based in Africa, the programmes provide several pathways for researchers seeking dedicated time and an international setting for their work.

Application deadline: 18 September 2026 at 13:00.

https://uni-freiburg.de/frias/funding/frias-fellowship-programmes/