Wittenstein Foundation/Einstein Forum Fellowship 2026 (€10,000 Grant & Travel Expenses): Apply Now!

Fellowship 2026 for Young Thinkers in Berlin

About the Wittenstein Foundation/Einstein Forum Fellowship

The Wittenstein Foundation/Einstein Forum Fellowship 2026 offers an exceptional opportunity for outstanding young thinkers to pursue innovative projects outside their primary area of expertise. This prestigious fellowship, awarded by the Einstein Forum and the Wittenstein Foundation, embodies the interdisciplinary spirit of Albert Einstein by encouraging scholars to explore new intellectual directions.

The selected fellow will reside for five to six months in the garden cottage of Einstein’s summerhouse in Caputh, Brandenburg, near Potsdam and Berlin. The fellowship is not intended for dissertation research but rather for original, creative projects that significantly differ in content and approach from the applicant’s previous academic work.

At the conclusion of the fellowship, the recipient will present their project in a public lecture hosted by the Einstein Forum and the Wittenstein Foundation.

Eligible Fields

The fellowship is open to applicants from the following disciplines:

Humanities

Social Sciences
Natural Sciences

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Must be under 35 years old.
Must hold a university degree in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences.
The proposed project must be distinct from the applicant’s prior research.

The fellowship is open to applicants from all nationalities.
A PhD is not required, nor is being enrolled in a PhD program.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the following:

Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Two-page project proposal outlining the proposed research, its objectives, and its significance.
Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees who can speak to the applicant’s intellectual ability and potential.

Selection Criteria

The selection process is based on:

The quality, originality, and feasibility of the proposed project.
Demonstration of superior intellectual potential.

The extent to which the project differs from previous academic work.
The interdisciplinary nature of the project and its alignment with Einstein’s spirit of exploration.

Benefits of the Wittenstein Foundation/Einstein Forum Fellowship

The fellowship provides:

Living accommodations for five to six months in Einstein’s summerhouse in Caputh, Brandenburg.
A stipend of EUR 10,000 for the duration of the fellowship.
Reimbursement of travel expenses related to the fellowship.

The opportunity to present the project at a public event hosted by the Einstein Forum and the Wittenstein Foundation.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit their complete applications via email to the Einstein Forum. The application should be sent in a single PDF file and must include all required documents.

Application Process:

Prepare Your Documents:
- Write a clear and compelling project proposal (max. two pages) that explains your research idea, its significance, and how it differs from your previous academic work.
- Update your Curriculum Vitae (CV), highlighting relevant academic and professional achievements.
- Request two letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees. Ensure your recommenders send their letters directly to the Einstein Forum or provide them in sealed envelopes if submitted physically.
Format Your Application:
- All documents should be in PDF format.
- Ensure that your name and project title appear on each document.
- Combine all documents into one PDF file (excluding recommendation letters if sent separately).
Submit Your Application:
- Email your application as a single PDF attachment to applications@einsteinforum.de.
- Use the subject line: “Einstein Fellowship 2026—[Your Full Name]”.
Confirm Submission:
- After submitting, you may receive a confirmation email from the Einstein Forum acknowledging receipt.
- If you do not receive a confirmation within a reasonable timeframe, follow up via email.
Wait for the Selection Results:
- Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview or additional discussions.
- Final decisions will be announced after the review process is completed.