CAIS Fellowships: Advancing Research on the Societal Impact of Digital Transformation – Apply Before 19 December 2025

The Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS) offers distinguished scholars and practitioners a unique opportunity to pursue research on the societal implications of digital transformation. Through its fellowship programme, CAIS provides an environment designed for intellectual focus, interdisciplinary collaboration, and meaningful exchange. Fellows benefit from time, space, and resources to advance an independent project while engaging with a diverse academic community in Bochum.

A Space for Deep Focus and Interdisciplinary Exchange

The CAIS Fellowship is built to support projects that examine the intersection of society and digital change. By stepping away from daily professional routines, fellows are able to gain new perspectives, strengthen their methodologies, and develop work that contributes to broader international debates on digital transformation.

Fellows become part of a vibrant community of researchers and practitioners from multiple disciplines. The programme encourages collaboration and dialogue through:

• Weekly breakfast gatherings
• Colloquium sessions followed by communal dinners
• Interdisciplinary workshops
• Opportunities to invite guest collaborators
• Access to CAIS’s wider network of alumni, affiliates, and research groups

Accommodation is provided at no cost, and each fellow receives an individual office or workspace equipped with modern facilities. CAIS also offers financial support for research-related expenses to ensure fellows can focus on their project with minimal constraints.

Fellowship Duration and Structure

CAIS offers two types of fellowships:

• Six-month fellowships, typically beginning in April or October
• Three-month fellowships, with start dates in January, April, July, or October

Exceptions to these timelines may be made upon reasonable request. Fellows are expected to be actively present at CAIS from Tuesday to Thursday each week and to fully engage in scheduled activities.

Funding and Facilities

CAIS supports fellows through compensation or grants, depending on their employment status. This ensures that participants can take formal leave from their regular positions while dedicating themselves entirely to their fellowship project. Additional support includes:

• Fully furnished apartments provided free of charge
• Modern offices and meeting rooms
• Administrative and logistical assistance
• Resources for inviting collaborators
• Coverage of research-related costs

This holistic support structure enables fellows to work in an environment conducive to concentration, creativity, and interdisciplinary innovation.

Eligibility and Requirements

The programme welcomes applicants from all disciplines and at all career stages. Projects must address the societal impact of digital transformation and demonstrate clear relevance to socio-technical dynamics. Strong applications typically include:

• A well-defined research question
• A clear explanation of the project’s contribution to broader digitalisation debates
• A structured plan with milestones and expected outcomes
• Demonstrated benefit of conducting the project at CAIS

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

• Outstanding scholars or practitioners with a strong record of achievement
• A demonstrated capacity to contribute to interdisciplinary research
• Very good command of English, the working language at CAIS
• Ability to take full leave from professional duties during the fellowship

An academic degree is not mandatory if an applicant can demonstrate an exceptional level of qualification relative to their career stage.

Project Expectations

Accepted fellowship projects must be self-contained and designed to produce a tangible output within a short timeframe. Examples of expected outputs include:

• A peer-reviewed journal article
• A conference submission
• A book chapter
• A policy paper
• A prototype or applied research deliverable

Fellows must dedicate their full working capacity to their project during the fellowship and actively participate in the intellectual life of CAIS. The ability to engage openly with researchers from other fields is considered a key component of the programme.

Application and Selection Process

To qualify for peer review, applications must demonstrate clarity, feasibility, and relevance to a general academic audience. The selection committee prioritises originality, scholarly rigour, and contributions to interdisciplinary discourse.

Questions about the programme may be directed to Dr. Esther Laufer, Director of CAIS College.

Staying Connected

Researchers and practitioners interested in future fellowship calls may sign up for the CAIS newsletter to receive updates on new opportunities.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the fellowship organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official 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.