FRIAS Sustainable Governance Senior Fellowship 2027/2028 (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the FRIAS Sustainable Governance Senior Fellowship 2027/2028, a fully funded research fellowship for experienced scholars based at African institutions. Hosted by the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS) at the University of Freiburg, Germany, the programme provides senior researchers with the opportunity to pursue independent research in a vibrant interdisciplinary environment while collaborating with leading academics.

The fellowship is designed for researchers in the humanities and social sciences whose work focuses on sustainable governance. Fellows will spend six months at FRIAS conducting their own research, participating in academic exchanges, and building international collaborations that contribute to addressing governance and sustainability challenges in Africa and beyond.

About the Fellowship

The FRIAS Sustainable Governance Senior Fellowship Programme was established to support outstanding researchers working on issues related to sustainable governance within the humanities and social sciences. The programme encourages interdisciplinary collaboration by bringing together scholars from different countries and academic backgrounds to exchange ideas and develop innovative research.

During the fellowship, researchers are expected to reside full-time at FRIAS in Freiburg, where they will have access to the university's research facilities, libraries, academic events, and international scholarly community. Fellows will focus primarily on their own research projects while engaging with other researchers across disciplines.

The FRIAS Sustainable Governance Senior Fellowship 2027/2028 offers an outstanding opportunity for experienced researchers based in Africa to advance their work within one of Germany's leading research institutes. By combining financial support, access to world-class research facilities, and opportunities for international collaboration, the fellowship enables scholars to strengthen their research while contributing to important discussions on sustainable governance.

Fellowship Benefits

Successful applicants will receive comprehensive support throughout their fellowship, including:

• A six-month fellowship at the University of Freiburg.
• Financial support through a fellowship contract or equivalent compensation, depending on the fellow's employment status.
• A research cost contribution.
• Coverage of travel expenses for the journey to and from Germany.
• Full access to FRIAS research facilities, libraries, and academic resources.
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and international networking.

The fellowship enables researchers to dedicate their time to advancing their research while becoming part of a globally respected academic community.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Be based at an academic institution in an African country.
• Hold a completed doctoral (PhD) degree.
• Have at least eight years of postdoctoral research experience.
• Conduct research in the humanities or social sciences with a focus on sustainable governance.
• Demonstrate an excellent research record and strong academic achievements.
• Be willing to reside full-time at FRIAS during the fellowship period.

Researchers of any nationality may apply, provided they are based at an African institution.

Eligible Research Areas

The fellowship welcomes research proposals related to sustainable governance in fields such as:

• Political Science
• Public Policy
• Sociology
• Economics
• Development Studies
• Law
• Anthropology
• International Relations
• Environmental Governance
• Other humanities and social science disciplines connected to sustainable governance.

Required Documents

Applicants are generally expected to submit:

• Completed online application form.
• Research proposal.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• List of publications.
• Copy of doctoral degree certificate.
• Contact details for referees.
• Any additional documents specified in the official application manual.

Applicants should carefully review the application manual to ensure all required documents are included before submission.

How to Apply

Interested researchers should follow these steps:

1. Visit the official FRIAS fellowship application page.
2. Read the application guidelines and eligibility requirements carefully.
3. Prepare all required documents.
4. Complete the online application form.
5. Upload the required supporting documents.
6. Submit the application before the deadline.

Only complete applications submitted before the closing date will be considered.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Academic excellence.
• Quality and originality of the proposed research.
• Research achievements and publication record.
• Relevance of the project to sustainable governance.
• Potential for interdisciplinary collaboration at FRIAS.

Successful candidates will be notified after the selection process has been completed.