Deadline: May 31, 2026
Applications are open for the Academy of International Affairs North Rhine-Westphalia (AIA NRW) Fellowship 2027-2028. The Academy of International Affairs North Rhine-Westphalia (AIA NRW) invites outstanding scholars (post-doc level and upwards) and practitioners from politics, diplomacy, media, business, and civil society to apply for fellowships with a duration between three and ten months at AIA NRW in Bonn.
Located in Bonn, UN-City and one of Germany’s key centers for international cooperation and global governance, AIA NRW provides a professional platform and a unique environment that fosters dynamic, vibrant exchange in an international and interdisciplinary setting.
Applicants can apply to one of the following two tracks:
- Academic Track: For projects that have an explicit academic focus, linking up to ongoing or emerging academic debates, and provide a clear objective on how they contribute to a better understanding of international politics.
- Practitioner’s Track: For projects that reflect on international politics from the perspective of practical experience in a relevant professional field and provide a clear objective on how they contribute to a better understanding of international politics.
Benefits
- Fellowships can take the form of paid/unpaid leaves, compensation costs paid to the home institution, or a stipend. AIA NRW provides accommodation for the fellows and their families and covers travel expenses to and from Bonn.
- Fellows are allocated office space and the necessary research infrastructures to conduct their projects as well as some further individual budgets for research expenses. Final fellowship durations are awarded based on project scope, board assessment, and available funding.
Eligibility
- Open to outstanding scholars (post-doc level and upwards) and practitioners from politics, diplomacy, media, business, and civil society.
- The Academy particularly encourages applications that combine analytical excellence with policy relevance and that contribute to interdisciplinary dialogue on the future of European and international security.
Application
Applicants need to submit a form for applicants and the following documents compiled in one PDF:
- a letter of motivation;
- a proposal of their envisaged academic project at AIA NRW (max. 5 pages including an abstract; including guiding (research) questions, a brief summary of the state of research in the respective field, a specific work plan/timetable and targeted outputs as well as the expected added value of the stay in Bonn in the particular environment of AIA NRW);
- a short CV (max. 2 pages).
Additionally for the academic track:
- certified documentation of their PhD certificate;
- a complete list of publications, and
- electronic copies of 2-3 recent (journal) publications (in English).
For more information, visit Academy of International Affairs Fellowship.
