The Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS) has opened applications for its 2026/2027 Sustainable Governance Senior Fellowship Program. This opportunity is designed for doctoral degree holders currently working in African countries who possess at least eight years of post-doctoral research experience. The fellowship welcomes researchers of all nationalities who are affiliated with African institutions. Participants will gain access to the University of Freiburg’s resources, networks, and scholarly community, enriching their research through fresh insights and collaborative partnerships.
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Eligibility Requirements
- Candidates must possess a completed doctorate plus at least eight years of post-doctoral research experience.
- A minimum of 5 peer-reviewed publications published since 1 January 2016 is required, with at least one as co-author or lead author.
- Current affiliation with an institution in an African country is mandatory.
- Applicants must demonstrate at least six months of research or academic experience at institutions outside their country of first degree, AND must have obtained their Master’s/PhD from an African institution.
- Awards will be granted to researchers presenting innovative, high-quality research projects through a rigorous, merit-based competitive process (approximately 10% acceptance rate for qualified applicants).
- Research focus must be within the Humanities and Social Sciences disciplines, specifically addressing sustainable governance themes. Collaboration confirmation from a University of Freiburg academic partner is mandatory.
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Program Benefits
- Open to researchers of any nationality currently based at African institutions.
- Fellowship duration spans 6 months within the period from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027.
- Selected participants will receive either a fellowship contract with the University of Freiburg or alternative compensation arrangements (detailed in the application manual under “Financial Aspects”).
- Fellows are provided with research funding support, mobility stipend, and round-trip travel expenses
- The program enables independent research project execution. Given FRIAS’s commitment to interdisciplinary dialogue, continuous full-time participation at FRIAS is required
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Submission Requirements
Candidate and project details (including abstract, public-friendly project summary, motivation letter, and ethical considerations table) must be completed through the online application system.
The following documents must be uploaded to the application platform:
- Research proposal (maximum 3000 words encompassing footnotes, headers, footers, and references, plus up to 4 graphics) (PDF format).
- Curriculum vitae using tabular format (PDF, using the mandatory template provided in the portal).
- Publications bibliography (PDF): A maximum of 8 publications, with 5 published post-January 1, 2016, all peer-reviewed, including at least one as co-author or primary author (adhering to Basic Academic Quality Criteria).
- PhD certificate copy (PDF format).
- Collaboration confirmation letter from a University of Freiburg professor who will provide project support during the fellowship period.
Submission Deadline: 12 September 2025, 13:00
Click HEREÂ to apply.
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