New Fellowship Programme in Lower Saxony
Outstanding international scholars in the Humanities, Cultural Studies and Social Sciences get the opportunity for a six-month research stay in Lower Saxony.
ACROSS DISCIPLINES. INTERNATIONAL. IN LOWER SAXONY.
The Hannah Arendt Fellowships offer six-month research residencies in Lower Saxony, Germany, for outstanding international scholars in the Humanities, Cultural Studies, and Social Sciences. For the inaugural 2026 round, applications are open exclusively to invited fellows nominated by a host institution. The deadline for submissions is 15 September 2025.
A New Fellowship Programme for the Humanities and Social Sciences
Launching in 2026, the Hannah Arendt Fellowships are a new international funding initiative of zukunft.niedersachsen, a joint programme of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and the Volkswagen Foundation, that is coordinated by the Göttingen Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Lower Saxony. Each year, up to ten fellowships support exceptional researchers from around the world in conducting independent projects during a six-month research stay (April–September) at universities or non-university institutions across the region.
The programme fosters academic freedom and intellectual exchange through a decentralised residency model at different research institutions: each fellow works in tandem with a local academic partner and is fully embedded in the host institution’s scholarly environment. Fellows have no teaching obligations and can focus entirely on their research.
Fellowship benefits include:
- A competitive six-month individual scholarshi
- Travel and accommodation allowances
- Family support, if applicable
- Tailored academic integration and networking opportunities
- Joint activities and regular exchange formats for fellows and hosts
Fellowships are open to postdoctoral and established researchers in the Humanities, Cultural Studies, and Social Sciences. The selection is made by an independent international committee of experts.
For detailed information, please also consult our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
Inaugural Theme 2026: Democracy
Each cohort of the Hannah Arendt Fellowships is framed by an annual theme designed to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue and shared intellectual inquiry. The theme for the inaugural 2026 cohort is:
Defining Democracy – Describing Democracies – Comparing Democracies
This tripartite framework opens diverse pathways for research. It treats democracy not only as a normative concept but also as a historically contingent, culturally diverse, and socially embedded practice. Fellows are encouraged to explore democracy’s many forms and meanings across time and space, using theoretical, empirical, or comparative methods.
Possible lines of inquiry include:
- Conceptual histories and theories of democracy
- Institutions, participation, and representation in historical and contemporary contexts
- Democracy in antiquity, pre-modern societies, or non-Western traditions
- Contemporary tensions such as authoritarianism, disinformation, or crises of representation
- The role of media, language, performance, and symbolic practices in democratic life
- Questions of equality, inclusion, and pluralism
The theme provides a shared point of orientation for the 2026 cohort while leaving ample room for disciplinary depth and individual perspectives. It is designed to foster both focused research and intellectual exchange across fields.
Apply Now: Hannah Arendt Fellowships 2026
Submission deadline: 15 September 2025
Fellowship period: April–September 2026
In its inaugural year, the programme focuses on invited fellows: applications are only accepted from candidates who have been contacted and invited to apply by a university or research institution in Lower Saxony. The Göttingen Academy of Sciences and Humanities supports host institutions throughout the application process and offers optional support packages to ensure successful integration of fellows.
Required Documents (to be submitted as a single PDF file):
- Signed Application Form
- Curriculum Vitae
- List of Publications
- Fellowship Project Proposal (max. 3 pages / 1,500 words, excl. bibliography)
- Signed Letter of Intent (between the applicant, an authorised representative of the host institution, and the host researcher / tandem partner)
- Optional: Letter(s) of Recommendation
Please submit your application via email to:
Anna Derksen
Academic Project Manager “Hannah Arendt Fellowships”
Göttingen Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Lower Saxony
anna.derksen@adwgoe.de
Please note that only timely and complete submissions will be considered. We encourage all applicants and host institutions to consult the full call and FAQ before applying. For any questions or assistance throughout the application process, please contact Anna Derksen by phone at +49 (0)551 39-37042 or via email.
We look forward to receiving your application!
Downloads
Call for Applications (PDF)
Application Form (PDF)
Letter of Intent Template (PDF)
Information Flyer (PDF)
FAQ (PDF)