Leo Baeck Fellowship Programme 2026 , Germany (Fully Funded)
The Leo Baeck Fellowship Programme is a prestigious international doctoral fellowship that supports outstanding PhD researchers working in the field of German-Jewish history and culture. Open to doctoral candidates of all nationalities and all universities worldwide, the programme combines generous financial support with academic exchange and international networking.
Named after Rabbi Dr Leo Baeck (1873–1956), one of the most influential figures of 20th‑century German Jewry, the fellowship is administered by the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes with funding from the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), in cooperation with the Leo Baeck Institute London and the Leibniz Institute for Jewish History and Culture – Simon Dubnow (Leipzig).
Degree Level
Programme Schedule
Number of fellowships: Up to 10 fellows
Fellowship period: October – September
Working languages: German and English
Fellows participate in two international workshops during the fellowship year and gain access to an intranet platform for academic exchange. Doctoral students enrolled at a German university may apply for a possible extension through the Studienstiftung’s doctoral funding framework, subject to available funds.
Available Subjects
The Leo Baeck Fellowship supports doctoral research projects focusing on the history and culture of German‑speaking Jewries. Applications are welcome from all disciplines, including:
History
Literature
Philosophy
Cultural Studies
Jewish Studies and related fields
Projects may address any historical period and any geographical region, such as Europe, Israel, or the Americas. Fellows remain enrolled at their home university while benefiting from structured academic exchange through workshops and peer discussions.
Benefits
The Leo Baeck Fellowship provides comprehensive financial support, including:
Monthly living allowance: EUR 1,650
Monthly research allowance: EUR 100
Health insurance subsidy: 50% of costs, up to EUR 100 per month (if not mandatorily insured)
Additional support for fellows with children
Travel and research grants for conferences and research trips abroad
Additional allowance for fellows conducting doctoral studies outside their home country
Tuition fee subsidy: Up to EUR 10,000 per calendar year (if applicable)
Employment During the Fellowship
Limited additional employment is permitted:
Up to 25% of a full‑time position in research or teaching, or
Up to 5 hours per week outside academia
Holding other third‑party scholarships simultaneously is not permitted.
Eligible Nationalities
Open to applicants of all nationalities.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Leo Baeck Fellowship, applicants must:
Hold an excellent university degree
Have obtained their most recent degree no earlier than February 2022
Possess formal qualification for doctoral studies and acceptance into a PhD programme at an accredited university
Propose a doctoral research project focused on German‑Jewish history and culture
The programme is open to applicants of any nationality and from any university worldwide.
Application Procedure
Applicants must submit the following documents in English or German, combined into one single PDF file (except recommendation letters):
Completed application form
Cover letter outlining motivation (1 page)
Curriculum Vitae (education, interests, language skills)
Copies of university degree certificates (with grades and ranking, if available)
Research proposal (maximum 5 pages)
Research schedule for the academic year 2026/27, including planned research trips
Letter of recommendation from the PhD supervisor
Second letter of recommendation
Only complete applications will be considered.
Selection Process
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to two video‑based interviews
Interviews are expected to take place in April–May
Final selection is made by the programme’s academic committee
Application Deadline
February 1
All application materials must be submitted by the deadline to be considered. (deadlines may vary)
Why Apply for the Leo Baeck Fellowship?
The Leo Baeck Fellowship is ideal for doctoral researchers seeking:
Fully funded support for high‑impact humanities research
An international academic network
Structured intellectual exchange and mentorship
Recognition from one of Germany’s most prestigious scholarship foundations
This fellowship empowers young scholars to deepen global understanding of German‑Jewish history and culture while advancing their academic careers at an international level.
