FRIAS Sustainable Governance Senior Fellowship Programme 2026/2027

The Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS) invites researchers based in an African country with a completed doctoral degree and a minimum of eight years of post-doctoral experience to apply for the FRIAS Sustainable Governance Senior Fellowship Programme for the academic year 2026/2027.

📖 About the Programme

The fellowships are available to researchers of any nationality who are based at an African institution. The programme provides access to the resources, networks, and academic community of the University of Freiburg, fostering collaboration and enhancing research through new perspectives.

• Duration: Fellowships can last for 6 months between September 1, 2026 and August 31, 2027.
• Location: Freiburg, Germany

🎁 Benefits

Selected applicants will receive:

• Fellowship contract with the University of Freiburg or other compensation, depending on their situation.
• Research cost contribution, mobility allowance, and travel costs for inbound and outbound journeys.
• Opportunity to conduct independent research projects.
• Full-time presence at FRIAS to foster cross-disciplinary communication.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a completed doctoral degree plus a minimum of eight years of postdoctoral experience.
• Have 5 peer-reviewed publications since January 1, 2016, including at least one as a co-author.
• Be based in an African country.
• Have at least six months' research or study experience at academic institutions outside the country of their first academic degree.
• Have received a Master/PhD in an African country.
• Submit challenging and innovative research projects of top academic quality.
• Focus on Humanities and Social Sciences with a thematic emphasis on sustainable governance.
• Provide a letter of cooperation from an academic partner at the University of Freiburg (the academic partner must hold the title of professor).

📝 Application Process

Applicants must complete the online application form and upload the following attachments:

1. Project proposal (max. 3000 words, including footnotes, headers, footers, bibliographical references, and up to 4 graphs) in PDF format.
2. CV in tabular form (mandatory template available in the application portal).
3. Publication list (PDF): Maximum of 8 publications, with 5 peer-reviewed publications since January 1, 2016, including at least one as a co-author.
4. Copy of PhD diploma (PDF).
5. Letter of Cooperation from an academic partner at the University of Freiburg.

For detailed application requirements, consult the Application Manual.

📅 Important Dates

• Date Published: July 28, 2025
• Application Deadline: September 12, 2025

🌟 Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a researcher in the Humanities or Social Sciences with a thematic focus on sustainable governance. They should have a proven track record of academic excellence, peer-reviewed publications, and international research experience.

🔗 Useful Links

• Programme Details
• Application Portal

📧 Contact Information

For further inquiries, visit the FRIAS website.

• Depending on their situation, selected applicants will either receive a fellowship contract with the University of Freiburg or other compensation.
• Fellows receive a research cost contribution, a mobility allowance and travel costs of the inbound and the outbound journey.
• Fellowships will allow researchers to conduct their own research projects. Since one of the aims of FRIAS is to foster cross-disciplinary communication, full-time presence at FRIAS is mandatory.