Overview
The Leibniz Research Alliance “Value of the Past” has announced a call for applications for up to seven Leibniz Fellowships “Value of the Past” 2026. These fellowships offer early- and mid-career scholars the opportunity to conduct one-month research stays at participating Leibniz institutes and research museums in Germany.
The programme is designed to support academic work that explores how societies construct, negotiate, and assign value to the past. It is strongly interdisciplinary, bringing together perspectives from history, social sciences, cultural studies, education, and science and technology studies.
Research Focus and Thematic Areas
The fellowship is embedded in the broader research agenda of the Leibniz Research Alliance, which examines the social, political, and cultural value of the past. It focuses on how historical meaning is produced, contested, and transformed across time.
Key research themes include:
- Regimes of Evidence
- Spatiotemporal Paradigms
- The Past as a Public Resource
Within these themes, seven collaborative research groups explore:
- Documentary Evidence
- Digital Heuristics and Digital History
- Participation and Appropriation
- Dynamic Constructions of Space and Time
- Human–Nature Relations in the Anthropocene
- Contested Values of the Past
- Valorization and Commodification
The alliance investigates how value is assigned to history in contexts of political change, social transformation, and crisis, highlighting the role of memory and interpretation in shaping contemporary societies.
Fellowship Objectives
The fellowship supports research activities that align with the alliance’s academic profile. Fellows may use the grant to:
- Develop or advance research projects in collaboration with host institutes
- Conduct archival or field research
- Write academic articles or book chapters
- Prepare grant proposals or research applications
In addition, fellows are expected to:
- Present their work in colloquia or academic events
- Contribute to the “Value of the Past” research blog
This ensures both scholarly output and active participation in the research network.
Participating Institutions
The programme brings together 21 Leibniz institutes and research museums, spanning humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. These include major German research institutions such as:
- Deutsches Museum
- Institut für Zeitgeschichte München–Berlin
- Leibniz-Institut für Europäische Geschichte Mainz
- Leibniz-Zentrum für Zeithistorische Forschung Potsdam
- Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung
These institutions provide office space, research infrastructure, and academic engagement opportunities for fellows.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Hold a PhD
- Demonstrate an outstanding academic record
- Be in the postdoctoral or equivalent research phase
Applications from scholars in international crisis regions will receive special consideration, reflecting the programme’s commitment to academic inclusivity and global collaboration.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows will receive:
- A monthly stipend of €3,000
- Financial support intended to cover:
- Travel costs
- Accommodation
- Insurance
Host institutions may also provide:
- Office space
- Access to archives, libraries, and research facilities
The fellowship is designed as a short but intensive research opportunity within a highly interdisciplinary academic environment.
Application Requirements
Applications may be submitted in English or German and must include a single PDF file containing:
- Letter of interest, including preferred host institute
- Curriculum vitae with publication list (including five key publications)
- Research proposal (maximum 1,500 words)
- Letter of recommendation
Submission Details
Applications must be sent via email to:
Jakob Schlieper
Leibniz Research Alliance “Value of the Past”
Leibniz Centre for Contemporary History, Potsdam
Email: [email protected]
Further information is available through the alliance website or via contact with Dr. Achim Saupe ([email protected]).
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 30 May 2026
- Selection Results: Mid-July 2026
- Fellowship Start Deadline: December 2027
Academic Significance
The fellowship programme offers scholars a unique opportunity to engage with leading research institutions across Germany while contributing to critical debates on how societies interpret and assign value to history.
By examining how the past is documented, contested, and repurposed, the programme encourages innovative research that connects historical inquiry with contemporary societal challenges.
Conclusion
The Leibniz Research Alliance “Value of the Past” fellowship represents a prestigious opportunity for postdoctoral researchers to advance interdisciplinary scholarship on memory, history, and cultural value. It provides both financial support and institutional access to some of Germany’s leading research centers.
VIEW THE CALL FOR APPLICATION HERE
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering the scholarship. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs 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.
