Wittenstein Foundation Einstein Fellowship 2026, Germany
The Einstein Forum, in partnership with the Wittenstein Foundation, offers the prestigious Einstein Fellowship for outstanding young thinkers from around the world. This unique fellowship supports scholars who want to explore a research project in a field different from their previous academic specialization, encouraging innovative and interdisciplinary thinking inspired by Albert Einstein.
The fellowship provides scholars with the opportunity to live and work in an inspiring academic environment in Caputh, Brandenburg, near major academic institutions in Potsdam and Berlin. During the fellowship period, participants develop creative research ideas while engaging with scholars and intellectuals from diverse disciplines.
Fellowship Overview
The Einstein Fellowship supports innovative thinkers who wish to pursue a project outside their main area of expertise. The goal is to encourage interdisciplinary research and intellectual exploration across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
Selected fellows will stay for five to six months in the garden cottage of Einstein’s former summerhouse in Caputh, providing a peaceful and inspiring environment for research and creative thinking.
Available Subjects
The fellowship welcomes applicants from a broad range of academic disciplines, including:
Humanities
Social Sciences
Natural Sciences
Interdisciplinary Research
Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that differ significantly from their previous academic work.
Benefits
Selected fellows receive several benefits during the fellowship period, including:
Stipend of EUR 10,000
Accommodation for five to six months in the garden cottage of Einstein’s summerhouse
Reimbursement of travel expenses
Opportunity to conduct research near leading universities and institutions in Potsdam and Berlin
Access to an international intellectual and academic environment
At the end of the fellowship, the fellow will present their research project through a public lecture at the Einstein Forum and the Wittenstein Foundation.
Eligible Nationalities
The Einstein Fellowship is open to applicants from all countries. Scholars from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Einstein Fellowship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Must be under the age of 35
Must hold a university degree in humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences
Must propose an original and innovative project outside their previous field of specialization
Must demonstrate strong intellectual ability and creativity
Must show the feasibility and quality of the proposed research project
The fellowship is not intended for dissertation research or for continuing academic work that has already been started.
Application Procedure
Required Documents
Applicants must submit the following documents as part of their application:
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Two-page project proposal outlining the proposed research idea
Two letters of recommendation
All application materials must be submitted before the official deadline.
Application Process
Interested applicants can apply for the Einstein Fellowship by following these steps:
Prepare Application Documents
Prepare your CV, project proposal, and recommendation letters.Complete the Online Application Form
Submit the required documents through the official Einstein Fellowship application portal.Submit Before the Deadline
Ensure that all documents are submitted before the application deadline.Selection Process
Applications are reviewed based on the originality, feasibility, and interdisciplinary nature of the proposed project as well as the applicant’s intellectual achievements.
Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated based on several factors, including:
Originality and creativity of the proposed project
Feasibility of completing the research during the fellowship period
Applicant’s academic excellence and intellectual development
Interdisciplinary relevance of the research idea
The fellowship encourages projects that challenge traditional academic boundaries and introduce new perspectives.
