Call for Applications: Senior Fellowships at the Vienna Center for Advanced Studies (ViCAS), University of Vienna – Academic Year 2026/27

The Vienna Center for Advanced Studies (ViCAS) at the University of Vienna invites applications for its Senior Fellowship Programme for the 2026/27 academic year. This prestigious opportunity is open to distinguished international scholars from all academic disciplines who are committed to interdisciplinary collaboration and the pursuit of cutting-edge research. The fellowship term runs from 1 October 2026 to 30 June 2027.

Located at one of Europe’s leading research universities, ViCAS is a new initiative dedicated to fostering international and cross-disciplinary academic exchange. The program is designed to bring together leading thinkers from diverse backgrounds to engage in collaborative research, share insights across fields, and contribute to a dynamic intellectual community at the heart of Europe.

About the University of Vienna

Founded in 1365, the University of Vienna is the oldest university in the German-speaking world and one of Europe’s largest and most prestigious research institutions. Home to more than 85,000 students from over 120 countries, it maintains a broad disciplinary reach spanning the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and life sciences. The University is renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and internationalism, offering an environment rich in tradition, innovation, and scholarly exchange.

About ViCAS Senior Fellowships

Each year, up to ten Senior Fellowships are awarded to internationally recognized scholars who hold, or have held, a professorial or equivalent senior academic position. Fellows are selected based on their outstanding academic record, the originality of their proposed research, and the potential of their work to enrich interdisciplinary dialogue within the ViCAS community and the broader University of Vienna academic network.

Senior Fellows are expected to reside in Vienna for the full duration of the fellowship and participate actively in the intellectual life of the Center, including public lectures, workshops, and collaborative projects with faculty and students across disciplines. The program seeks to create a vibrant, inclusive space for scholarly engagement and exploration of global challenges through cross-disciplinary approaches.

Fellowship Support and Benefits

ViCAS Senior Fellows will receive:

• A monthly stipend of €7,000
• A monthly accommodation allowance of €1,500
• An additional €500 per month per accompanying child under the age of 18
• A fully equipped workspace at the ViCAS offices in central Vienna
• Full access to the University of Vienna’s academic resources, libraries, and research infrastructure

These benefits are designed to support uninterrupted research and active engagement with the ViCAS and University of Vienna communities.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Hold, or have previously held, a senior academic position, such as a full professorship or its equivalent
• Demonstrate a distinguished record of research and peer-reviewed publications
• Propose a research project that is original, feasible, and relevant to interdisciplinary scholarly dialogue
• Show an interest in engaging with a diverse academic community beyond their primary field of expertise

Selection Process

Applications are evaluated by a multidisciplinary selection committee. Key evaluation criteria include:

• Academic excellence and international recognition
• The innovative nature and intellectual merit of the proposed project
• The project’s potential to foster collaboration and stimulate cross-disciplinary exchange
• The candidate’s ability to contribute meaningfully to the intellectual life of ViCAS

Successful applicants will join a community of scholars committed to advancing knowledge, addressing complex societal issues, and building academic bridges across cultures and fields.

Application Deadline and Process

The application deadline is 1 September 2025.

Applicants must submit a completed application form, available on the ViCAS website, along with supporting documentation. Specific submission guidelines, required materials, and evaluation timelines are detailed in the official application instructions.

For more details and to apply, visit the University of Vienna website.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the fellowship organization. For any inquiries, please contact the organizing organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding