Deadline: January 9, 2026
Applications are open for the Baden-Württemberg Early Career Rescue Fellowships 2026-2028. The Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), the Tübingen College of Fellows (CoF), and the Zukunftskolleg Konstanz (ZuKo) invite early career researchers, whose work is restricted due to political pressure in the USA, to apply for the Baden-Württemberg Early Career Rescue Fellowships 2026-2028.
The fellowships are available to researchers from all over the world and from any discipline represented at one of the three universities with a minimum of one year and a maximum of seven years of post-doctoral experience, who cannot conduct or continue their work in the USA appropriately because of actual political pressure.
The aim is to provide time and space for their excellent research and open up international prospects for their future career. The programme offers a two-year research position at one of the three universities, preferred by the applicant, and local disciplinary cooperation, as well as support, resources, networks and exchange within the respective Institute for Advanced Studies with its international and interdisciplinary community of fellows.
Benefits
The Fellowship offers:
- 24-month employment contract with one of the universities, preferred by the applicant, between 1 July 2026 and 30 November 2028, monthly salary of up to ca €6,000 (pre tax, and pre mandatory German social and health security contributions) depending on the professional experience, in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement for the Public Service of the Federal States (TV-L). The exact amount of the salary can only be determined individually
- 24-month stay at one of the three participating Institutes for Advanced Studies appropriate workplace and professional research infrastructure
- Implementation of the applicant’s research project, in cooperation with a local host and/or local laboratory facilities (if needed or intended)
- Additional funding for research and cooperation, mobility allowance and compensation of the inbound and outbound journey
- Assistance in developing academic skills, creating networks in Baden-Württemberg attending language courses
- Additional support for families, finding accommodation etc.
Eligibility
- Applicants must hold a completed doctoral degree plus a minimum of one year and a maximum of seven years of post-doctoral experience. Time off for family, medical reasons, or non-academic professional activities will not be counted as part of the relevant period. Candidates may NOT hold a permanent professorship (Tenure).
- Applicants must provide a statement in the letter of motivation about how the own research is threatened by the current political restrictions in the USA.
- Applicants must provide proof that they cannot conduct or continue their research in the USA because of current political pressure, such as travel restrictions or cancelled funding, projects or appointment in 2025 or 2026, where applicable, OR a letter by an academic referee confirming that the applicant’s research is threatened by current political restrictions and explaining how.
- Applicants must select their first and second choice of university and respective Institute for Advanced Studies, and specify at each university one local host they would like to work with (not necessary to be already contacted)
- Applicants must propose a research project that can be supported at the University of Freiburg or the University of Konstanz or the University of Tübingen (regarding disciplinary, infrastructural, technical, and laboratory requirements, if applicable).
- The research project must not involve topics that are excluded from funding due to ethical issues.
Application
Applications exceeding page limits will not be considered. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
For more information, visit Baden-Württemberg Early Career Rescue Fellowships.
