The HIAS IFSH Fellowship 2026 in Germany offers outstanding scholars and researchers an opportunity to spend three to nine months conducting on-site research in Hamburg. The fellowship brings together scholars from different disciplines for independent research, academic exchange, and collaboration with researchers at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH).The programme is offered jointly by the Hamburg Institute for Advanced Study (HIAS) and IFSH. 

Fellows benefit from research facilities, an academic tandem partner, local research networks, and financial support. The fellowship is particularly relevant to researchers working on peace, security, political violence, emerging technologies, climate security, and related interdisciplinary topics.

HIAS IFSH Fellowship 2026 Overview

The HIAS IFSH Fellowship is designed for researchers whose projects can be conducted on-site in Hamburg. Applicants are expected to identify a potential academic tandem partner at IFSH and explain how their research will contribute to the interdisciplinary environment.

The fellowship period lasts between three and nine months. The academic year normally runs from October to June, and the earliest possible fellowship start date for this call is October 2027.

HIAS IFSH Fellowship Benefits

The fellowship provides financial and academic support to selected fellows.

Financial and Research Support

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

Selected fellows also receive:

• A fully equipped workspace in central Hamburg.
• Continuous support from HIAS and IFSH teams.
• An academic tandem partner based at IFSH.
• Access to relevant research networks and infrastructure in Hamburg.
• Assistance in connecting with potential cooperation partners at HIAS member institutions.
• Potential accommodation at the University of Hamburg guesthouse.

HIAS and IFSH can also assist fellows who are accompanied by partners or children with finding accommodation, schools, and daycare facilities.

Academic Programme

Fellows are expected to participate actively in the HIAS academic programme. This includes weekly lunches as well as colloquia and dinners.

These activities provide opportunities to exchange ideas with researchers from different disciplines and develop academic collaborations during the fellowship.

HIAS IFSH Fellowship Eligibility Criteria

The fellowship is aimed primarily at established researchers with strong academic profiles.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants should generally have:

• A doctorate in the humanities, social sciences, or natural and life sciences.
• Publications in relevant academic journals or comparable outlets.
• An interdisciplinary and international research profile.
• Relevant research experience connected to the fellowship's core topics.
• Prestigious prizes or academic awards, where applicable.
• A very good command of English.
• A research project that can be conducted on-site in Hamburg.

Applicants from the Hamburg metropolitan region are not eligible.

All fellows are expected to collaborate with an IFSH tandem partner. Artists, policymakers, and other professionals may also be considered when their work is closely connected to the programme's research focus and engages substantially with scholarly inquiry.

Eligible Research Fields

The HIAS IFSH Fellowship welcomes research connected to a broad range of peace and security issues.

Priority areas include:

• Peace and security.
• Political violence and fascism.
• Polarisation and radicalisation.
• Counterterrorism.
• Great power conflict.
• Arms dynamics and deterrence.
• Strategic stability.
• Emerging technologies and cybersecurity.
• European security architecture.
• European regional security organisations.
• The future of European security.
• Climate change and security.
• Polycrisis.
• Disaster response and preparedness.
• Crisis resilience and civil protection.

Interdisciplinary projects connecting multiple areas are particularly encouraged.

How to Apply for the HIAS IFSH Fellowship 2026

Applicants must submit their application in English as a single PDF file through the official application form.

Required Application Documents

The application should include:

• A cover letter stating the preferred fellowship period.
• Possible IFSH tandem partner or partners.
• Information about possible financing through sabbatical or paid leave.
• An explanation of how the applicant would contribute to HIAS, IFSH, and the Hamburg research environment.
• A letter of intent from a prospective tandem partner, if already available.
• A list of the most important publications, limited to two pages.
• An academic CV including prizes and awards.
• A project description of no more than three pages.
• A one-page project description written for a non-specialist audience.
• An optional link to an online lecture, talk, or video.

The application deadline is November 16, 2026. Applicants should prepare their research proposal and identify a potential IFSH tandem partner well before the deadline.

How Applications Are Evaluated

The proposed project should introduce new research questions or perspectives and demonstrate clear potential for interdisciplinary exchange.

The selection process considers whether the project addresses the fellowship's core research topics, benefits from interaction with other disciplines, fits an Institute for Advanced Study environment, and can be realistically conducted within the HIAS, IFSH, and Hamburg research environment.

Applicants should therefore explain not only what they intend to research but also why Hamburg and IFSH provide an appropriate environment for the project.

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