Location: Germany
Program: Research Fellowship
Eligibility: All Nationalities
Duration: 6 months
Deadline: September 18, 2026
JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP & GET UPDATES ON SCHOLARSHIPS WORLDWIDE
The FRIAS Sustainable Governance Senior Fellowship Programme for Researchers from Africa 2027/28 is offered by the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS) the international research college of the University of Freiburg to support senior researchers based in African institutions in conducting independent research projects in the Humanities and Social Sciences with a thematic focus on sustainable governance. The programme offers fellows access to the resources, networks, and academic community of the University of Freiburg, enhancing their research through new perspectives and collaborative opportunities. Fellowships are available to researchers of any nationality who are currently based at an African institution. Full-time presence at FRIAS during the fellowship period is mandatory fieldwork conducted outside Freiburg cannot be funded. Depending on their individual situation, selected applicants will receive either a fellowship contract with the University of Freiburg or another form of compensation, as detailed in the Application Manual.
The Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), established in 2007 and located at Albertstraße 19, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, is the international research college of the University of Freiburg. FRIAS brings together scholars from Freiburg and around the world, offering temporary fellowships that allow researchers to focus entirely on their own projects within a vibrant community of diverse cultural and academic backgrounds. The University of Freiburg (Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg), founded in 1457 and located in the Black Forest region of Baden-Württemberg, is one of Germany’s oldest and most distinguished research universities, regularly ranking among the top universities in Germany and in Europe across a wide range of disciplines.
Benefits of the Programme
This programme will provide the following to its recipients:
- Fellowship financial support
- Research cost contribution
- Inbound and outbound travel costs
- Office space and access to university facilities
- Access to University of Freiburg’s academic networks and resources
- Assistance with accommodation and visa arrangements
Also Check:
Harvard Law School: Reginald F. Lewis Fellowship for Law Teaching 2027–2028 – USA
Study at University of Virginia | Jefferson Scholarship and Walentas Scholarship – USA
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this programme, applicants must meet the following:
- Must hold a completed doctoral degree and have a minimum of eight years of post-doctoral experience
- Must be currently based at an academic institution in an African country — open to researchers of any nationality provided they are based in Africa
- Must have at least 5 peer-reviewed publications since January 1, 2017, including at least one publication with or as a co-author
- Must have at least six months of research or study experience at an academic institution in a country different from the country of their first academic degree by the time of application
- Must have received a Master’s or PhD degree from an African country
- Must be proposing a research project in the Humanities or Social Sciences with a thematic focus on sustainable governance
- Must have secured a Letter of Cooperation from an academic partner at the University of Freiburg who holds the title of professor and will support the project during the stay in Freiburg
- Must be willing and able to be present full-time at FRIAS for the entire 6-month fellowship period — fieldwork outside Freiburg cannot be funded during the fellowship
Note: Kindly check the official webpage for full and detailed requirements.
Also Check:
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Scholarships 2026–2027 – China
MMoCRA Mobility Scholarships 2026 – Africa / Europe
Selection Criteria
The FRIAS Sustainable Governance Senior Fellowship is awarded through a highly competitive, strictly merit-based selection process with an expected success rate of approximately 10% of eligible applications. The selection committee evaluates candidates on the academic excellence and innovativeness of the proposed research project, the applicant’s publication record (at least 5 peer-reviewed publications since January 1, 2017, including at least one co-authored work), the applicant’s post-doctoral experience and career trajectory, the quality of the research project proposal (maximum 3,000 words), the strength of the CV and publication list (maximum 8 publications total using the mandatory template), and the quality of the Letter of Cooperation from the University of Freiburg professor academic partner. Applications must be submitted through the FRIAS online portal by September 18, 2026 at 13:00 CET. Only complete applications will be considered.
How to Apply
CLICK HERE to visit the official webpage and submit your application.
