If you are an early-career researcher from Africa, Asia, or Latin America, applications are now open for the ZUKOnnect Fellowships 2025 at the University of Konstanz, Germany. This prestigious opportunity supports promising researchers by providing financial resources, research support, and a platform to collaborate with leading experts in their fields.
Programme Summary
Location: Konstanz, Germany
Host Institution: University of Konstanz
Fellowship type: Postdoctoral and final-year doctoral research stay fellowship
Number of Fellowships: 8 Fellowships
Research Areas: Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences
Funding: Fully Funded
Duration: 3-4 Research stay + 1 Year digital affiliation
Application Deadline: February 1, 2025
Start Date: October 2025
ZUKOnnect Fellowship Overview
The ZUKOnnect Fellowships aim to bridge early-career researchers from Africa, Asia, and Latin America with the German and European academic systems. Hosted at the Zukunftskolleg, a renowned Institute for Advanced Study, the fellowship provides a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment for research in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
The Zukunftskolleg Konnect Fellowships support early career researchers from Africa, Asia and Latin America, who do research that fits to one of the thirteen departments at the University of Konstanz.
The fellowship also facilitates building professional networks, accessing cutting-edge resources, and engaging in meaningful academic discussions.
Programme Duration and Responsibilities
The Duration of the Fellowship is around 16 months divided as below:
On-campus fellowship: 3–4 months (starting October 2025)
Digital affiliation: 12 months (starting August 2025)
✨ Fellowship Snapshot:
Fellows are required to reside in Konstanz or nearby during the on-campus fellowship.
Weekly participation in interdisciplinary meetings and seminars (Jour fixe).
Opportunity to give a seminar presentation or public lecture.
Collaboration with Zukunftskolleg researchers and faculty in relevant departments.
Digital affiliation extends networking opportunities and research collaborations for 12 months.
✨ Responsibilities:
Acknowledge Zukunftskolleg support in all resulting publications.
Submit a report on fellowship activities within six months of completion.
Actively engage in discussions and events organized by the Zukunftskolleg.
Funding and Benefit
ZUKOnnect Fellowship is a fully Funded fellowship that covers the following aspects:
Monthly stipend: €1,300 for doctoral students and €2,000 for postdoctoral researchers.
Travel costs: One round-trip economy-class ticket to/from Konstanz.
Research allowance: Up to €750 for project-related expenses.
Family support: Financial assistance for accompanying family members (subject to availability).
Digital affiliation funding: €900 lump sum.
🧑🏻💻Professional Benefits:
Access to cutting-edge research facilities, library, IT, and research support services.
Networking with interdisciplinary researchers and global experts.
Opportunities to participate in workshops, conferences, and collaborative projects.
ZUKOnnect Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
Be born and currently working in Africa, Asia, or Latin America.
Be a doctoral student in the final year of their program or a postdoctoral researcher (degree obtained after February 15, 2023).
Not hold a permanent professorship, habilitation, or equivalent qualification.
Propose a research project aligned with one of the disciplines at the University of Konstanz.
ℹ️ Preference is given to applicants who:
Collaborate with current Zukunftskolleg Fellows or research clusters ("Politics of Inequality" or "Collective Behaviour").
Are from underrepresented countries in the Zukunftskolleg community.
Application Procedure
Candidates interested in applying for the ZUKOnnect Fellowships must prepare the following documents to be attached:
Letter of Motivation: Include research objectives and how the fellowship aligns with your goals (max. 2 pages).
Research Project Summary: Outline your current research and plans for the Zukunftskolleg (max. 3 pages, including references).
Work and Time Plan: Detailed timeline for the on-campus stay.
Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Certificates: Doctoral certificate or a letter from your supervisor confirming your doctoral status.
Letters of Reference: One academic reference letter for tmTrack A; Nomination letter from a (junior) professor at the University of Konstanz for Track B
📂 Submission:
After preparing your documents, you can Submit your application documents as separate PDFs via the online application portal
🗓️ Application Deadline February 1, 2025, at 12:00 PM CET.
ℹ️ Additional Information
The Zukunftskolleg values diversity and inclusivity. Applications are encouraged from candidates with non-traditional career paths, those who have paused their careers for family or caregiving responsibilities, and scholars at risk.
📂 Resources (PDF)
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