Kohli Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 in Germany (Funded)

Kohli Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 for International Students

Applications are now open for the Kohli Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 in Germany. International candidates from around the world are encouraged to apply. This fellowship offers more than just a research opportunity it allows fellows to initiate new research projects, refine their postdoctoral research ideas, establish international collaborations, and publish innovative sociological and interdisciplinary studies.

The Kohli Fellowship for Sociology 2026 is now open for applications, offering postdoctoral researchers from around the world an exceptional opportunity to further their academic careers. Supported by the Kohli Foundation for Sociology, this is among Europe’s most prestigious postdoctoral fellowships. It provides scholars with two years to conduct independent research at either the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, Italy, or the Berlin Social Science Center (WZB) in Germany.

Named in honor of Professor Martin Kohli, a distinguished sociologist known for his pioneering work in life course and generational studies, the fellowship aims to support talented early-career researchers who have recently completed their PhDs with exceptional results. Over the two-year period, fellows are expected to engage actively in the academic community of their host institution, participate in professional development activities, and develop an innovative research program that contributes to the advancement of sociology.

Kohli Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 Details

Funded By:	Kohli Foundation
Degree level:	Postdoctoral
Scholarship coverage:	Funded
Eligible nationality:	All Nationalities
Award country:	Germany & Italy
Last date:	16 November 2025

Financial Benefits

Kohli Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 in Germany will provide following benefits:

• Beyond just financial assistance, the Kohli Fellowship offers a disciplined academic setting where researchers can flourish and elevate their profile in the global academic community.
• Successful applicants gain access to research infrastructure, institutional affiliation, mentorship from seasoned academics, and chances to work together on ongoing projects during the two-year fellowship.
• The fellowship is intended to give the researcher the most freedom for their own work while guaranteeing access to the host institution’s professional and intellectual resources.
• Fellows are urged to make the most of their time by turning their research into publishable articles, attending conferences around the world, and setting up workshops to share their results.
• By participating in talks, seminars, and cooperative events, they are also expected to support the host institution’s intellectual community.
• Candidates leave the fellowship as active members of the international sociological community in addition to being experts in their field of study.

Academic Destinations

1. The Berlin Social Science Center (WZB), Germany

One of the biggest non-university research institutes in Europe, the WZB Berlin Social Science Center serves as a center for multidisciplinary social science research. It focuses on examining social and political change in contemporary nations, tackling topics including democracy, inequality, governance, and the evolution of the labor market.

• Joining WZB as a Kohli Fellow will allow you to join a thriving intellectual community made up of scholars from around the world who are studying a variety of sociological, political, and economic subjects.
• Fellows are assigned to the specialized research unit at WZB that best suits their proposed project and academic background.
• You will have the opportunity to attend national and international conferences, undertake fieldwork, take part in internal seminars, and plan your own workshops or academic events while receiving the fellowship.

2. The European University Institute (EUI), Italy

A premier center for cutting-edge research in the humanities and social sciences, the European University Institute (EUI) is situated in Fiesole, a charming neighborhood with a view of Florence. The largest postdoctoral training program in Europe, the Max Weber Programme for Postdoctoral Studies, welcomes Kohli Fellows housed at EUI.

• Every fellow at EUI is paired with a faculty advisor who serves as a mentor for their career and scientific advancement.
• The vast scholarly resources, multidisciplinary seminars, and training workshops offered by EUI are all accessible to fellows.
• They also plan their own academic activities, conduct fieldwork, and attend conferences. Scholars can develop as autonomous thinkers and contributors to the global social debate in the academically diverse and culturally rich environment of the EUI fellowship.

Documents Required

Applicants have to prepare following documents to apply for Kohli Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship:

• Online Application Form
• Transcripts
• Degree certificates
• Passport or birth certificate
• Research Proposal
• Curriculum vitae/resume

Eligibility Criteria

• All nationalities are eligible to apply for the Kohli Fellowship if they have finished their doctoral studies in sociology or a similar field within the last five years.
• Before the fellowship starts, candidates must have successfully defended their dissertation.
• Candidates whose work relates to the WZB or EUI thematic focus are of special interest to the selection committee; in particular, those who study life course research, generational dynamics, or the sociology of social change. But we also welcome creative work from other branches of sociology.
• Because of the program’s dedication to diversity and inclusion, women and scholars from underrepresented academic backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.

Application Deadline

The last date to apply for the Kohli Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 for international students is 16th November 2025.

How to Apply for Kohli Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship?

1. A concise, well-written application that highlights your outstanding research and fits with the program’s objectives is necessary to apply for the Kohli Fellowship.
2. The rigorous application procedure places a strong emphasis on the potential effect of your proposed study as well as academic quality.
3. Scholarly excellence, originality, methodological rigor, and relevance to the research issues of the host institution are the criteria used by academic experts to evaluate applications.

Selection Procedure:

• The Kohli Fellowship is awarded through a competitive, merit-based selection procedure.
• Applications are reviewed academically by faculty and research committees at the host schools following an initial eligibility screening.
• Candidates who make the short list are invited to interviews, which might take place online or in person.
• Candidates talk about their academic background, research plan, and reasons for applying during these interviews.
• The WZB, EUI, and Kohli Foundation for Sociology work together to make the final choices.
• Since only one fellow is chosen each year, the selected researcher is guaranteed to receive substantial attention, institutional support, and mentorship.
• It is anticipated that successful applicants will live in Berlin or Florence for the term of the fellowship and actively engage in the host institution’s academic life.