New fellowships at CAIS: Time and Space for Focus and Inspiration

Are you researching the social, political, media-related or cultural effects of digitalization? Do you want more freedom for your project and are interested in interdisciplinary exchange? A fellowship at CAIS releases you from your regular work obligations and offers many opportunities for stimulating discussions.

Application

The next deadline for applications is 28 February 2025. The earliest possible start date for new fellowships is April 2026. Working groups can currently apply for meetings in 2026. Please use the application forms provided on our website.

The funding program is open to excellent scholars and practitioners at all career stages and from all disciplines. Both fundamental research and applied projects are welcome.

Questions? Please contact esther.laufer@cais-research.de<mailto:esther.laufer@cais-research.de>.

Concentration and Inspiration

Fellows spend either six or three months in Bochum. During this period, CAIS finances their leave from work through compensation or grants. Individual offices and meeting rooms with modern facilities provide optimal working conditions. Comfortable apartments are provided free of charge.

Fellows are members of the vibrant interdisciplinary research community at CAIS and of an international network of alumni, working groups, and affiliates. Regular joint activities foster academic and social exchange at the Center. These activities include breakfast on Tuesdays, colloquium and dinner on Wednesdays, as well as occasional workshops on Thursdays. Fellows can invite guests for collaboration and receive financial support for their research expenses.

Fellowships of six months usually start in October or April. Fellowships of three months can start in October, January, April, or July. Exceptions are possible after consultation.

Funding and Facilities

Fellows at CAIS should ideally be on sabbatical leave with a full salary. In that case, they will receive an additional grant of €600 per month. Alternatively, reimbursement for the costs of their salary or of a substitute can be paid within reasonable limits.

Fellows with no regular income will receive a grant of €2000 per month. Fellows with a regular income below €1400 will be given a grant that covers the difference to the full grant. Fellows with a full or compensatory grant receive an additional payment of €100 per month for each child under the age of 18. In Germany, full and compensatory grants are not subject to social security contributions and are usually tax-exempt. The Fellows are responsible for checking whether they qualify for tax exemption, especially if they reside abroad.

Fellows are provided with individual offices at CAIS and rent-free, fully furnished apartments that are allocated according to individual requirements. In addition, CAIS will cover travel expenses for one return-trip to Bochum. Alternatively, CAIS can cover the costs of a daily commute if the Fellow lives close to Bochum.

Fellows can request financial support for research expenses. They can furthermore apply to invite a Visiting Fellow with whom they wish to collaborate for up to three weeks. It is also possible to invite up to three experts based in Europe for half-day workshops. CAIS will cover the travel and accommodation expenses for these guests and pay them a daily allowance of €24.

Fellows and alumni can apply for grants of up to €5000 for innovative measures of knowledge transfer.

Further costs will not be covered by CAIS. In particular, social security contributions and insurance fees cannot be paid.