In a powerful move that places Austria once again at the heart of world-class academic research, the Vienna Wiesenthal Institute for Holocaust Studies (VWI) has officially opened applications for its prestigious Fellowships 2026/27 — and this call is nothing short of a golden opportunity for scholars, researchers, and PhD candidates across the globe.
At a time when fully funded research opportunities are becoming increasingly competitive, the VWI Fellowships arrive with an irresistible promise: funded residency in Vienna, access to world-renowned archives, academic prestige, and the chance to shape global discourse on Holocaust studies, antisemitism, racism, and nationalism. Whether you’re an established academic or an emerging researcher, this fellowship is designed to elevate your career — intellectually, professionally, and internationally.
What Makes the VWI Fellowships 2026/27 So Powerful?
The Vienna Wiesenthal Institute for Holocaust Studies is not just another research center — it is one of Europe’s leading institutions dedicated to documenting and analyzing the Holocaust in its broader European, social, and political context. Conceived during the lifetime of Simon Wiesenthal himself, the Institute stands today as a beacon for critical historical inquiry, supported by the Austrian Federal Ministry, the Federal Chancellery, and the City of Vienna.
For the 2026/27 academic year, VWI is offering fully funded fellowships for international scholars to live, research, and collaborate in Vienna for five to eleven months — the ideal timeframe for producing meaningful, high-impact academic work.
Offerings & Benefits of Winning the VWI Fellowship 2026/27
Winning a fellowship at the Vienna Wiesenthal Institute is more than financial support — it’s an academic upgrade that places you inside one of Europe’s most influential research ecosystems. Successful fellows receive generous funding that covers the core costs of international research mobility, allowing scholars to focus entirely on their work without financial strain.
Beyond financial backing, fellows gain full access to the VWI archives, participate in formal fellows’ discussions, and present their findings to international audiences — dramatically increasing both visibility and academic impact. The fellowship also offers something money can’t buy: daily intellectual exchange with leading scholars from around the world, opening doors to future collaborations, publications, and career-defining networks.
The Institute is particularly encouraging applications from researchers working in Digital Humanities, giving innovative scholars the chance to merge technology with historical research in one of Europe’s most respected academic environments.
Types of Fellowships Available
For the 2026/27 academic year, VWI will fund:
- Two Senior Fellowships
- Two to four Research Fellowships
- Two to four Junior Fellowships
All fellowships are awarded for a minimum of five (05) months and a maximum of eleven months, a residency period proven to be the most productive for deep academic research.
Eligibility Requirements — Who Can Apply?
If your academic work aligns with Holocaust Studies, antisemitism, racism, nationalism, or related interdisciplinary fields, this fellowship could be tailor-made for you.
Here’s who the VWI is looking for:
- Senior Fellowship applicants must hold a PhD, have strong academic publications, and several years of experience at a university or research institution.
- Research Fellowship applicants must have completed a PhD and published in their field of expertise.
- Junior Fellowship applicants must be enrolled in a PhD program.
- Applicants must propose a research project relevant to the VWI’s thematic focus.
- Willingness to reside in Vienna and actively participate in the academic life of the Institute is essential.
The VWI strongly encourages applications from scholars of all backgrounds and remains deeply committed to gender equality and diversity through its institutional policies.
The last date to apply for the Vienna Wiesenthal Institute for Holocaust Studies Fellowships 2026/27 is January 16, 2026.