About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
The University of Konstanz is an internationally recognised research university with approximately 10,000 students. Its campus structure is designed to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and interaction among researchers, lecturers and students.
The university has received continuous funding through Germany’s Excellence Strategy since 2006, reflecting its strong research profile and international academic standing.
The fellowship is hosted by the Zukunftskolleg, which provides an environment designed specifically for early-career postdoctoral researchers. Fellows benefit from research independence, interdisciplinary and intergenerational exchange, university integration and international academic contacts.
English is the working language of the Zukunftskolleg, making the opportunity accessible to researchers from a wide range of international academic backgrounds.
Fellowship Structure
Successful fellows become members of both a relevant University of Konstanz department and the Zukunftskolleg. This dual affiliation provides researchers with access to their academic discipline while also allowing them to participate in the broader interdisciplinary activities of the institute.
Education
Fellows may additionally be affiliated with one of the University of Konstanz’s relevant research centres, including the Cluster of Excellence “Politics of Inequality” or the Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour.
The programme is intended for researchers demonstrating strong academic excellence, research independence and the ability to work effectively in collaborative and interdisciplinary environments.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship targets excellent early-career postdoctoral researchers with high potential for successful academic careers.
Applicants must meet several eligibility requirements.
Candidates should:
Hold a doctoral degree awarded between 30 September 2024 and 1 October 2026.
Have graduated earlier only where the extended eligibility provisions apply, such as maternity or paternity leave or employment contracts outside academia.
Not hold a permanent professorship.
Not hold a habilitation or equivalent qualification, such as Venia legendi.
Propose an independent research project connected to a discipline represented at the University of Konstanz.
Researchers who already have their own position funded through another programme may also be eligible if that position can be transferred to the University of Konstanz.
Research Fellowships
Research Proposal Requirements
Applicants are expected to submit a research project that aligns with one of the academic disciplines represented at the University of Konstanz.
The fellowship places strong emphasis on research independence and interdisciplinary engagement. Candidates are therefore encouraged to demonstrate how their proposed research can contribute to wider academic conversations beyond their immediate discipline.
Applicants are also invited to include a reflection note addressing how their research relates to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This provides candidates with an opportunity to demonstrate the broader societal relevance and potential impact of their proposed research.
Host and Departmental Affiliation
Prospective applicants are expected to identify and contact a potential academic host at the University of Konstanz before submitting their application.
Establishing contact with an appropriate researcher can help applicants determine whether their proposed research aligns with the university’s academic expertise and whether suitable facilities, expertise and institutional support are available.
Support from a relevant university department can strengthen an application by demonstrating an appropriate academic environment for the proposed research.
Candidates should therefore begin identifying potential hosts well before the application deadline.
International and Interdisciplinary Experience
International experience in teaching or research is considered an advantage. Applicants with experience working across countries, institutions or academic systems are encouraged to highlight this experience in their applications.
A strong interest in interdisciplinary research is also valued because the Zukunftskolleg brings together researchers from different disciplines and career stages.
Successful candidates will be expected to contribute to an environment characterised by intellectual exchange, collaboration and engagement across disciplinary boundaries.
Selection Process
Applications will be evaluated through a two-stage selection process involving international reviewers.
The assessment is designed to identify researchers who demonstrate scientific excellence, independence and strong potential for an academic career.
Candidates are expected to be informed about the outcome of the selection process around mid-February 2027.
Why Consider the Fellowship?
The University of Konstanz fellowship offers early-career researchers an opportunity to develop their academic profile within a research-intensive German university while benefiting from the interdisciplinary environment of the Zukunftskolleg.
Fellows gain research independence while becoming part of both a disciplinary department and an international interdisciplinary research community. The programme can therefore provide valuable opportunities for networking, collaboration and the development of independent research agendas.
How to apply