Early Career Rescue Fellowship 2026–2028 Overview
Academic freedom is facing increasing pressure worldwide. To safeguard threatened scholarship, three major German institutes — the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), the Tübingen College of Fellows (CoF), and the Zukunftskolleg Konstanz (ZuKo) — are offering the Baden-Württemberg Early Career Rescue Fellowships for 2026–2028 (Ref. No. 2025/229).
These fellowships are designed specifically for early career researchers whose academic work in the United States is compromised or restricted due to political pressure.
The programme provides protected space, institutional support and international visibility for scholars seeking the freedom to continue their research in an independent and conducive environment.
Fellowship Details
Number of Fellowships: 14
Type: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Duration: 2 years
Fellowship Period: Between July 2026 – November 2028
Funding: Monthly salary up to E14 (approx. 6,000 EUR before tax and mandatory social and health security contributions)
Eligibility: Researchers from all disciplines represented at the three participating universities
Experience Requirement: Minimum 1 year and maximum 7 years of postdoctoral experience
Purpose of the Programme
The Early Career Rescue Fellowships aim to:
- Support scholars unable to continue their research in the USA due to political constraints
- Offer a secure academic environment that protects intellectual freedom
- Provide time, space and resources for high-quality research
- Strengthen international research trajectories for early career scholars
- Foster interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration through integration into the institutes’ fellow communities
Host Institutions
Fellows may choose to be hosted by one of the three participating universities, each offering distinctive academic strengths and institutional support:
Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS)
- Interdisciplinary community of international fellows
- Strong research networks across the University of Freiburg
Tübingen College of Fellows (CoF)
- Hub for interdisciplinary and collaborative research
- Close integration with departments at the University of Tübingen
Zukunftskolleg Konstanz (ZuKo)
- Dedicated to supporting early career researchers
- Provides mentorship, interdisciplinary networks and research resources
What the Early Career Rescue Fellowship 2026–2028 Provides
Each fellow will receive:
- A fully funded two-year research position at their preferred host university
- Integration into an international, interdisciplinary fellowship community
- Access to institutional networks, academic partners and research infrastructure
- Local disciplinary collaboration and opportunities for co-authored projects
- Support for developing long-term, globally oriented academic careers
Early Career Rescue Fellowship 2026–2028 Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Their research activities in the USA must currently be restricted by political pressure
- They must hold between 1 and 7 years of postdoctoral experience at the time of application
- They may come from any academic discipline represented at the University of Freiburg, the University of Konstanz or the University of Tübingen
- They may be of any nationality and apply from anywhere in the world
The programme explicitly encourages applications from scholars seeking relief from political constraints affecting their academic freedom.
How to Apply
Deadline: 9 January 2026, 11:00 AM (CET)
Before applying, candidates must:
• Review the Programme and Application Manual for detailed requirements
• Complete the official Application Form
Application Deadline: 9 January 2026, 11:00 AM (CET)
Contacts for Enquiries
Applicants may contact the respective institute for guidance:
• Zukunftskolleg, University of Konstanz
Mihaela Mihaylova
[email protected]
• FRIAS, University of Freiburg
Annette Doll
[email protected]
• Tübingen College of Fellows, University of Tübingen
Niels Weidtmann
[email protected]
Summary
The Baden-Württemberg Early Career Rescue Fellowships offer an essential lifeline to scholars whose academic freedom is compromised.
With full financial support, a two-year research position and inclusion in internationally recognised institutes of advanced study, fellows gain an exceptional platform to rebuild, continue and grow their research careers. Interested applicants should prepare their materials promptly and submit by 9 January 2026.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact hiring 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.
