Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies (BCDSS) · University of Bonn in Germany
Applications are open for the Heinz Heinen Fellowship Program 2027 to 2028, an international research fellowship hosted by the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies (BCDSS) at the University of Bonn in Germany. The programme brings together researchers and other knowledge producers whose work examines Strong Asymmetrical Dependency (SAD) and slavery across different historical periods, societies and cultural contexts.
The fellowship provides selected participants with time, research resources and an opportunity to engage with an international academic community. It is designed for scholars who want to advance their research, exchange ideas across disciplines and contribute to a deeper understanding of systems of dependency, bondage, slavery and related social structures.
The programme welcomes applicants at different career stages, including doctoral candidates approaching the completion of their PhD, junior postdoctoral researchers, more experienced postdoctoral scholars, full professors and alternative knowledge producers. The latter category can include journalists, artists, creative professionals, museum professionals, curators and intellectuals whose work contributes to relevant discussions.
The Heinz Heinen Fellowship is part of the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies, a Cluster of Excellence supported through Germany’s Excellence Strategy. The centre investigates strong asymmetrical dependencies, including slavery, serfdom, debt bondage and other durable forms of unequal social relationships.
Rather than treating slavery and freedom as a simple binary, the centre examines the different structures, conditions and experiences through which dependency has operated across time and place. Its interdisciplinary approach encourages researchers to consider historical evidence, social institutions, power relations and the methods used to understand these phenomena.
The fellowship is intended to support independent research while creating opportunities for intellectual exchange. Fellows can bring their own projects to Bonn, contribute their expertise to the centre’s activities and learn from researchers working in related fields.
The programme accommodates different professional circumstances. Depending on the fellowship category, participants may stay for several months or up to a year. Shorter stays may also be possible where appropriate.
Selected fellows can receive the following benefits, depending on their category and circumstances:
• Monthly stipend: €1,700 for doctoral fellows, €2,600 for junior postdoctoral fellows, €3,100 for postdoctoral fellows and €3,600 for senior fellows.
• Travel allowance: Support for the outward and return journey for fellows who do not live in Bonn or the surrounding area.
• Accommodation support: A lump sum in addition to the monthly stipend for eligible fellows who live outside the Bonn area.
• Research workspace: Access to a working space, including a desktop computer, at the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies.
• Workshop opportunities: The opportunity to organise a research workshop in Bonn and apply for funding in accordance with the centre’s funding guidelines.
• Academic exchange: Opportunities to present research, participate in seminars, attend lectures and engage with other scholars.
• Publication opportunities: Information about potential publication routes through the centre’s peer reviewed formats.
• Arrival and administrative assistance: Support with organisational matters before and after arrival in Bonn.
• Childcare assistance: Support in finding daycare for children.
The stipend differs by career category. Applicants should confirm the applicable accommodation allowance and travel arrangements with the programme before making financial plans.
The programme accepts applications from several groups.
• Doctoral Fellows: Candidates who are approaching the completion of their PhD. Fellowships may last up to six months.
• Junior Postdoctoral Fellows: Researchers who completed their PhD no more than four years before the fellowship. Fellowships may last up to twelve months.
• Postdoctoral Fellows: Researchers who completed their PhD more than four years before the fellowship, including postdoctoral researchers and assistant or associate professors. Fellowships may last up to twelve months.
• Senior Fellows: Full professors seeking time and a suitable research environment to pursue relevant projects.
• Alternative Knowledge Producers: Professionals such as journalists, artists, creatives, museum professionals, curators and intellectuals whose work relates to the programme’s research interests.
Applicants should explain how their projects relate to the BCDSS research agenda. Relevant areas include:
• Transitions and transformations of strong asymmetrical dependencies.
• Economies of strong asymmetrical dependencies.
• Power, violence and trauma.
• Cultural heritage, transitional justice and memory cultures.
• Alternative archives and life writing.
Applicants should identify one or two relevant research areas and clearly explain how their proposed work contributes to the centre’s research priorities.
Applicants should review the requirements for their intended fellowship category before preparing an application.
• Applicants must fit one of the eligible categories, such as doctoral candidates nearing completion, junior postdoctoral researchers, experienced postdoctoral scholars, full professors or alternative knowledge producers.
• Proposed research must relate to Strong Asymmetrical Dependency, slavery or associated themes within Dependency and Slavery Studies.
• Applicants should demonstrate a clear research interest and explain the relevance of their project to the BCDSS.
• Researchers should be able to describe their project, methodology and intended research outcomes.
• Applicants must indicate their preferred period of residence or research activity in Bonn.
• Application documents must be prepared in English.
• Applicants must provide the supporting documents required for their specific category.
The required materials depend on the applicant’s professional stage.
Doctoral Fellows
• Personal statement or motivation letter of no more than 9,000 characters, excluding spaces.
• Description of the dissertation structure and its current status.
• Detailed work plan explaining how the applicant intends to complete the dissertation.
• Explanation of the project’s relevance to the BCDSS and one or two research areas.
• Preferred period of stay in Bonn.
• Curriculum vitae of no more than two pages.
• Publication list, if applicable.
• Copies of degree certificates.
• Proof of doctoral enrolment or admission as a doctoral student.
• Two recommendation letters, including one from the doctoral supervisor.
Postdoctoral Fellows
• Personal statement of no more than 6,000 characters, excluding spaces, explaining the research interest, project, methodology and relevance to the BCDSS.
• Preferred period of stay in Bonn.
• Curriculum vitae of no more than two pages.
• List of principal publications.
• Copy of the PhD certificate.
• Two recommendation letters.
Senior Fellows
• Personal statement of no more than 6,000 characters, excluding spaces, outlining the academic interest, research project, methodology and relevance to the BCDSS.
• Preferred period of stay in Bonn.
• Curriculum vitae of no more than two pages.
• List of principal publications.
Alternative Knowledge Producers
• Personal statement of no more than 6,000 characters, excluding spaces, describing the project, methodology and relevance to the BCDSS.
• Preferred period of stay in Bonn.
• Curriculum vitae of no more than two pages.
• List of principal publications or work samples.
• Copies of university degree certificates, where applicable.
• Two recommendation letters, where applicable.
University of Bonn in Germany
Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies (BCDSS)
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