Germany has officially opened one of its most intellectually generous and flexible research residency opportunities for the 2026–2027 academic cycle. The Germany Residential Fellowships 2026 at the Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS) invite scholars and practitioners from around the world to step away from routine obligations and spend 3 or 6 fully supported months in Bochum working on cutting-edge research around the social impact of digitalization.
This article explains what this fellowship is, who it is for, what it offers financially and academically, who should seriously apply, and when the 2026 application deadline is expected—so potential applicants can prepare strategically, not react late.
What Type of Opportunity Is This?
The CAIS Residential Fellowship is a fully supported, short-term research residency in Germany designed for individuals working on the social, ethical, political, economic, cultural, or institutional effects of digital transformation.
Unlike degree-based scholarships, this is a research freedom fellowship. Fellows are released from their regular work obligations and placed inside a high-level interdisciplinary research environment, with financial compensation, housing, office space, and research support provided by CAIS.
The fellowship is available for the 2026–2027 cohort, with residencies starting at multiple points across the year.
Fellowship Duration & Start Cycles
CAIS offers flexible entry points to accommodate different academic calendars:
-
6-month fellowships
Start in October 2026 or April 2027 -
3-month fellowships
Start in October 2026, January 2027, April 2027, or July 2027
(Alternative start dates may be considered after consultation.)
What Does the CAIS Fellowship Offer?
This German CAIS fellowship is structured to remove financial, logistical, and administrative barriers so fellows can focus entirely on research.
- €2,000 per month for fellows with no regular income
- Top-up grant for fellows earning below €1,400 per month
- €600 per month additional grant for fellows on full paid sabbatical
- €100 per child per month (for children under 18).
Housing & Work Environment
- Rent-free, fully furnished apartment in Bochum
- Private office and meeting facilities at CAIS
- Access to modern research infrastructure and collaborative spaces
Travel & Research Support
- CAIS covers one fully funded return trip to Bochum, or alternatively provides daily commute support for fellows living nearby. In addition, fellows can request dedicated funding for research-related expenses, invite one Visiting Fellow for up to three weeks, and host up to three Europe-based experts for half-day workshops. All approved invitations include full coverage of travel, accommodation, and daily allowances for invited collaborators.
Academic & Professional Value
- Membership in an international interdisciplinary research community
- Long-term inclusion in the CAIS alumni and affiliate network
- Structured academic and social exchange through regular events.
Who Is This Fellowship Designed For?
CAIS deliberately keeps this opportunity broad and inclusive and this fellowship is open to:
- Scholars from all academic disciplines
- Practitioners working on digitalization-related societal issues
- Researchers working on theoretical, empirical, or applied projects
- Applicants with or without formal academic degrees, provided they are highly distinguished in their field
Both individual projects and collaborative research proposals are welcome.
Eligibility Checks: Who Should Apply?
You are a strong candidate if most of the following apply to you:
- Your work examines the social opportunities or challenges of digital transformation
- Your project benefits from interdisciplinary dialogue
- You can clearly explain the research relevance, originality, and societal impact of your work
- You are able to commit 3 or 6 months in residence in Germany
- You can work independently within a high-level research environment
- You are comfortable submitting and working in English
Importantly, a formal academic degree is not mandatory if your professional standing and contributions are widely recognized.
Apply: https://www.cais-research.de/en/cais-college/fellowships/