We are dedicated to pursuing our interdisciplinary agenda through international collaboration. The international fellowships will contribute to attracting new research questions, concepts, methods and theories in close connection with the KWI research programme. Our KWI International Fellowships are 6-month-scholarships at the Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities (KWI) in Essen, which address excellent international researchers from the humanities, cultural studies, and the social sciences with a completed PhD plus up to 6 years of post-doctoral experience. The Thyssen@KWI Fellowship, financed by the Fritz Thyssen Foundation, is integrated into the fellowship programme and reaches out to excellent researchers of all nationalities with a completed PhD plus several years of post-doctoral experience.
To apply, various project formats are possible: Fellows might devote their time in Essen to finishing a book or a special issue, to finalizing a research proposal or setting up a research group. We also welcome plans to establish or substantiate collaborations with the universities of the Ruhr Alliance.
Located in the Ruhr Area, the KWI offers a space for independent and innovative research in the humanities and various opportunities to engage and include the public. Currently, research at the KWI focuses on the following areas: literary and cultural sociology, cultural science studies, science communication and public humanities. Further projects are concerned with cultures of communication and political participation. An important contribution to our scholarly and political work comes from the Academy in Exile, offering research space to colleagues whose academic freedom is threatened.
Contact: Dr Ricarda Menn
Latest News
CfA: KWI International Fellowships & Thyssen@KWI Fellowship 2026
KWI is offering its 12th cohort of fellowships, running from 1 April to 30 September 2026. Spend six months fully immersed in your next scientific project in a stimulating research environment. KWI International Fellowships From 1 April 2026 until 30 September 2026 The KWI Fellowship Programme is designed for excellent humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences […]
Welcome! 10th Cohort of International Fellows Arrives at KWI
This April, we are delighted to welcome our 10th cohort of KWI International Fellows and also a new Academy in Exile Fellow. Five new researchers will join us for the next six months. To encourage collaborations between our guests and members of the UA Ruhr, we would appreciate it if you could share this press […]
New CfA: KWI International Fellowships & Thyssen@KWI Fellowship 25/26
We are happy to announce that KWI offers fellowships for the duration of six months from 1 October 2025 until 31 March 2026! KWI International Fellowships The KWI Fellowship Programme is designed for excellent researchers from the humanities, cultural studies, and the social sciences. The institute provides fellows with modern infrastructure, office space, technical support […]
9th Cohort of Fellows arrives at KWI
We are delighted to welcome our 9th cohort of KWI International Fellows this October! Eight new researchers will join us for the next six months. Find their research topics here: Alice Morin is a postdoctoral researcher and associate member of the Center of Research on the English-Speaking World at the Sorbonne Nouvelle and the Visual […]
Call: KWI International Fellowships & Thyssen@KWI Fellowship
We are happy to announce that KWI offers the tenth cohort of fellowships for the duration of six months from 1 April 2025 until 30 September 2025! KWI International Fellowships From 1 April 2025 until 30 September 2025 The KWI fellowship program is designed for excellent researchers from the humanities, cultural studies, and the social […]