If you’re an early-career or experienced researcher looking for time, funding, and the right academic environment to focus on your research, the FRIAS Fellowship Programmes in Germany 2026–2027 are worth applying. Hosted by Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS) at the University of Freiburg, these fully funded fellowships bring together researchers from around the world to work on innovative projects in the collaborative and interdisciplinary enviroment.

Whether you’re just beginning your post doctoral career or you are an established researcher with years of experience, FRIAS offers fellowship opportunities designed to support the outstanding research. Fellows become part of an international academic community, gain access to world-class research facilities, receive financial support, and collaborate with scholars from different disciplines and backgrounds.

The programme offers three different fellowship tracks: the FRIAS Early Career Fellowship Programme, the FRIAS Senior Fellowship Programme, and the FRIAS Sustainable Governance Fellowship Programme for Researchers from Africa. Each programme has its own eligibility requirements, duration, and application process, so it’s important to choose the one that best fits your academic background and research experience.

Quick Overview of the FRIAS Fellowship Programmes 2026–2027

Host Country: Germany

Host Institution: Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), University of Freiburg

Programme Location: Freiburg, Germany

Programme Duration:

• Early Career Fellowship: 4–10 months
• Senior Fellowship: 3–8 months
• Sustainable Governance Fellowship (Africa): 6 months

Application Deadline: 18 September 2026

Fellowship Benefits

The FRIAS Fellowship Programmes are designed to give researchers the freedom and resources to concentrate on their research while the becoming part of an international academic community.

Successful fellows will receive:

• A fellowship contract with the University of Freiburg or alternative financial compensation, depending on individual circumstances.
• A research allowance to support their academic work.
• A travel allowance covering both inbound and return travel expenses.
• Access to office space and excellent research facilities.
• Full access to the University of Freiburg libraries and academic resources.
• Opportunities to collaborate with leading researchers from around the world.
• A supportive international research environment with scholars from multiple disciplines.

FRIAS Fellowship Programmes

1. FRIAS Early Career Fellowship Programme

This fellowship is designed for promising early-career researchers who have recently completed their PhD and are developing independent research careers.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Hold a completed doctoral degree.
• Have a maximum of 8 years of postdoctoral research experience.
• Have published at least four peer-reviewed publications since 1 January 2022.
• Have completed at least six months of research or study abroad at an institution different from the one where they earned their first academic degree.
• Propose an innovative and high-quality research project.
• Conduct research in a discipline supported by the University of Freiburg.
• Be of any nationality.

2. FRIAS Senior Fellowship Programme

The Senior Fellowship supports experienced researchers with established academic careers and internationally recognised research achievements.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Hold a completed doctoral degree.
• Have at least eight years of postdoctoral experience.
• Have published at least ten peer-reviewed publications since 1 January 2020.
• Have completed at least six months of research or study abroad at an institution different from the one where they obtained their first academic degree.
• Present an outstanding research proposal of high academic quality.
• Conduct research in a discipline supported by the University of Freiburg.
• Be of any nationality.

3. FRIAS Sustainable Governance Fellowship Programme for Researchers from Africa

This fellowship is specifically designed for senior researchers based in Africa whose work focuses on sustainable governance within the Humanities or Social Sciences.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Hold a completed doctoral degree.
• Have at least eight years of postdoctoral experience.
• Have published at least five peer-reviewed publications since 1 January 2017, including at least one publication as an author or co-author.
• Be based in an African country.
• Have completed at least six months of research or study at an academic institution outside the institution where they earned their first academic degree.
• Have obtained a Master’s or PhD degree from an African university.
• Submit a strong research proposal focused on sustainable governance.
• Provide a Letter of Cooperation from an academic partner at the University of Freiburg.

Required Documents

The required documents vary slightly depending on the fellowship, but applicants generally need to prepare:

Early Career Fellowship

• Project proposal
• Curriculum Vitae (tabular format)
• Publication list
• Copy of PhD diploma
• Letter of support identifying a host laboratory or academic partner in Freiburg
• Experiment sketch and research timetable

Senior Fellowship

• Project proposal
• Curriculum Vitae (tabular format)
• Publication list
• Copy of PhD diploma
• Letter of support identifying a host laboratory or academic partner in Freiburg
• Experiment sketch and research timetable

Sustainable Governance Fellowship (Africa)

• Project proposal
• Curriculum Vitae (tabular format)
• Publication list
• Copy of PhD diploma
• Letter of Cooperation from an academic partner at the University of Freiburg

How to Apply

The application process is similar for all three fellowship programmes.

Step 1

Complete and submit the initial online application form.

Step 2

Register your account to continue the full application.

Step 3

Fill in all required application sections carefully.

Step 4

Upload all required supporting documents.

Step 5

Complete the Ethical Issues Questionnaire.

Step 6

Review your application carefully and submit it before the deadline.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for all three FRIAS Fellowship Programmes is:

18 September 2026

It’s recommended to begin preparing your application early, especially if you need to obtain a letter of support or cooperation from a University of Freiburg academic partner.

Is the FRIAS Fellowship Worth Applying For?

If you’re looking for a fully funded research opportunity in Germany, the FRIAS Fellowship Programmes are among the strongest options available for both early-career and senior researchers. Beyond financial support, the programme provides something that’s often even more valuable: dedicated time to focus on your research while collaborating with scholars from around the world in an interdisciplinary environment.

Whether you’re developing your independent research career, expanding an established academic profile, or working on sustainable governance research in Africa, these fellowships offer an excellent opportunity to strengthen your research, build international collaborations, and become part of one of Germany’s leading research communities.