The Herzog August Bibliothek (HAB) in Wolfenbüttel, Germany, has officially announced the opening of applications for its Fellowships 2026, including Post-doc, Short-term, and NFDI4Memory FAIR Data Fellowships. These prestigious awards, funded by the State of Lower Saxony, offer international researchers the opportunity to pursue independent research at one of Europe’s most significant libraries for early modern studies.
About Herzog August Bibliothek
The Herzog August Bibliothek, also known as the Duke August Library, is renowned for its vast historical collections, including manuscripts, rare books, and early printed materials that have shaped cultural and academic research across centuries. Scholars from around the world visit Wolfenbüttel to access unique sources in humanities, literature, theology, philosophy, and related disciplines.
Research Grants Funded by the State of Lower Saxony
(Starting January 2027)
1# Post-doc Fellowships
The library offers 4 to 6 long-term Post-doc fellowships each year, supporting researchers who are within six years of completing their PhD.
Duration: 6–10 months
Funding: €2,200 per month
Additional Support:
- Travel reimbursement: Up to €2,000 for round-trip expenses
- Family supplement: €300/month (one child), €400/month (two children), and €500/month (three or more children).
Applicants submitting in January 2026 must have been awarded their PhD in 2020 or later.
These fellowships are designed to provide uninterrupted time for research and writing, while immersing fellows in an international community of scholars working on early modern cultural, literary, and historical topics.
2# Short-term Fellowships
The Short-term Fellowship is open to scholars at all career stages—from early-career post-docs to emeriti professors—seeking to conduct focused, short-term research in Wolfenbüttel.
Duration: 1–3 months
Funding: €1,800 per month
Travel subsidy: €150 to €650 depending on the applicant’s country of origin
This program is ideal for researchers needing direct access to the library’s archives or specialized materials to advance ongoing projects or begin new investigations.
Application Process
To apply, candidates must request the official application forms by contacting admissions office and clearly indicate the fellowship type (“Post-doc” or “Short-term”) along with their research focus.
Next Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
Fellowship Start Date: January 1, 2027.
3# NFDI4Memory FAIR Data Fellowships 2026
In addition to the main research grants, the library is also offering FAIR Data Fellowships under the NFDI4Memory initiative.
Deadline: November 19, 2025
Start Date: February 2026
Duration: 1 month
Funding: €1,500
These short fellowships focus on research data management and FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). Fellows will receive expert mentorship on organizing, structuring, and publishing their datasets, culminating in a publicly shareable, well-documented dataset. Participants are also encouraged to contribute a blog post summarizing their fellowship experience to support the broader academic community.
Why Apply?
The Herzog August Bibliothek fellowships provide an exceptional opportunity for international scholars to:
- Work in one of Europe’s most prestigious research libraries
- Access unparalleled historical collections
- Network with international experts and scholars
- Gain financial and academic support for independent research.
Apply: https://www.hab.de/en/forschungsstipendien/.
In summary: The Herzog August Bibliothek Fellowships 2026 are open to scholars worldwide across humanities disciplines. Whether you are an early-career researcher seeking a long-term residency or a senior academic planning a short visit, Wolfenbüttel offers an intellectually rich and fully funded environment to deepen your research and contribute to global historical scholarship.
Apply before January 31, 2026, and take your academic research to the next level in Germany’s renowned center for historical studies.