German Wissenschaftskolleg Berlin Fellowships 2027–28 in Germany

Applications are now open for the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin College for Life Sciences Fellowships 2027–28 in Germany. This prestigious fully funded fellowship offers early-career researchers from around the world the opportunity to spend three to five months in Berlin developing their research in an interdisciplinary academic environment.

Unlike traditional scholarships, this program is not for degree study. It is designed for researchers who will have completed their PhD, MD, or an equivalent doctoral degree before the fellowship begins. Fellows receive a generous stipend, accommodation, travel support, and access to excellent academic resources while pursuing independent research.

Fellowship Summary

• Host Country: Germany
• Host Institution: Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin (Institute for Advanced Study)
• Program Type: Research Fellowship
• Degree Level Required: PhD, MD, or Equivalent Doctorate
• Duration: 3–5 Months
• Eligible Nationalities: All Nationalities
• Eligible Fields: Life Sciences, Natural Sciences, Medicine, Psychology
• Funding Type: Fully Funded
• Application Mode: Online
• Application Deadline: 1 November 2026 (23:59 CET)
• Fellowship Period: September 2027 – July 2028

Selected fellows will receive:

• Stipend based on previous salary
• On-campus studio accommodation
• Travel expenses
• Relocation assistance
• Daily meals
• Library access
• IT facilities
• Administrative support
• Assistance with visa and immigration procedures
• Opportunity to collaborate with leading international researchers
• Access to an interdisciplinary research environment in Berlin

Applicants must have completed one of the following before the fellowship begins:

• PhD
• MD
• Equivalent Doctoral Degree

The fellowship is not available for undergraduate, master's, or current PhD studies.

Applications are invited from researchers working in:

• Life Sciences
• Natural Sciences
• Medicine
• Psychology
• Interdisciplinary Research related to the above fields

Researchers from all countries are encouraged to apply.

There are no nationality or age restrictions, provided applicants meet the fellowship requirements.

Applicants must:

• Hold a PhD, MD, or equivalent doctorate before the fellowship starts.
• Be an early-career researcher.
• Have at least one lead-author publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
• Work outside a Berlin-based institution.
• Propose an independent research project suitable for the fellowship.
• Demonstrate strong academic achievements and research potential.

Researchers with more than five years of experience as principal investigators are generally encouraged to apply for the institute's regular fellowship program instead.

Research Projects

The fellowship supports projects such as:

• Writing research papers
• Preparing academic books
• Developing research proposals
• Grant writing
• Data analysis
• Literature-based research
• Building international collaborations
• Developing future research programs

Projects requiring laboratory experiments during the residency are generally not suitable because laboratory facilities are not provided.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare:

• Online application form
• Research proposal (maximum 1,000 words)
• Motivation letter (maximum 500 words)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Publication list
• List of up to five major publications
• Any additional supporting documents requested by the institute

Application Process

To apply for the fellowship:

1. Visit the official Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin fellowship webpage.
2. Review the eligibility requirements carefully.
3. Prepare your research proposal and motivation letter.
4. Complete the online application form.
5. Upload all required documents.
6. Submit the application before 1 November 2026 (23:59 CET).
7. Wait for the selection committee's evaluation and final decision.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

• Academic excellence
• Research achievements
• Quality of the proposed project
• Originality and innovation
• Interdisciplinary relevance
• Future research potential

Why Apply for the Wissenschaftskolleg Fellowship?

The fellowship provides researchers with:

• Time to focus entirely on research
• Financial support throughout the residency
• Opportunities to collaborate with international scholars
• Access to world-class academic resources
• An inspiring interdisciplinary research community
• Professional networking opportunities
• One of Germany's most prestigious advanced study environments