Germany’s State of Lower Saxony has officially opened its Research Grants 2027, inviting international scholars to apply for a new cycle of fully funded post-doctoral and short-term research fellowships based at the renowned Herzog August Bibliothek in Wolfenbüttel. With the next application deadline set for January 31, 2026, these competitive grants are designed to support original humanities and historically oriented research starting from January 1, 2027.
The programme continues Lower Saxony’s long-standing commitment to advancing international academic exchange by offering structured research time, generous monthly stipends, travel reimbursements, and family support options. For researchers working on early modern history, cultural studies, manuscript studies, or source-based humanities research, the 2027 call represents a timely and well-funded opportunity to work within one of Germany’s most significant research libraries.
Funding Plan and Fellowship Benefits
The Research Grants funded by the State of Lower Saxony are offered under multiple fellowship tracks, each tailored to different research stages and project durations.
1# Post-Doctoral Fellowships (Long-Term)
Scholars who earned their PhD within the last six years may apply for a long-term post-doctoral fellowship lasting between 6 and 10 months. For applications submitted in January 2026, the PhD must have been awarded in 2020 or later.
Each selected fellow receives a monthly stipend of €2,200, enabling full-time focus on research activities. In addition, fellows are eligible for a one-time travel reimbursement of up to €2,000 to cover travel costs to and from Wolfenbüttel. Recognizing the needs of researchers with dependents, the programme also offers a monthly child supplement, ranging from €300 for one child, €400 for two children, and €500 for three or more children. The library typically awards four to six post-doctoral fellowships annually under this scheme.
2# Short-Term Fellowships
Short-term fellowships are open to a broad range of scholars at all career stages, from post-doctoral researchers to emeriti, who wish to conduct focused research visits to consult primary sources. These fellowships support stays of one to three months.
Successful applicants receive a monthly fellowship of €1,800, along with a travel subsidy ranging from €150 up to €650, depending on the applicant’s country of origin. This option is particularly suitable for scholars planning archival visits, preliminary research, or source collection phases.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility requirements vary slightly depending on the fellowship type, but core criteria apply across the programme. Applicants must demonstrate a clear research project that makes essential use of the holdings of the Herzog August Bibliothek.
For post-doctoral fellowships, applicants must hold a completed PhD awarded no earlier than 2020 for the January 2026 application round and be within six years of their doctoral degree. For short-term fellowships, applications are open to scholars at any career stage, provided the proposed research visit is justified by the library’s collections.
Across all fellowship categories, proposals are evaluated by appointed reviewers, with final selections made by the Scientific Advisory Board. Academic merit, feasibility, and the relevance of the library’s holdings to the research project are central selection factors.
Apply: https://www.hab.de/en/forschungsstipendien/.
Application Process and Timeline
Applications for the Research Grants funded by the State of Lower Saxony 2027 must be initiated by requesting the official application forms via email. Prospective applicants should contact ed.bah@gnuhcsrof, clearly stating their research focus and indicating the relevant fellowship type by using the keyword “Post-doc” or “Short-term” in the subject line.
All required guidelines for the awarding of scholarships are available in the programme’s official download area and should be reviewed carefully before submission. Completed applications will undergo peer review, followed by final selection from the Scientific Advisory Board.
The last date to apply for the Research Grants funded by the State of Lower Saxony 2027 is January 31, 2026, with successful fellowships commencing on January 1, 2027. Early preparation is strongly advised, as applications require a well-defined research proposal aligned with the library’s collections.