Call for fellows: Käte Hamburger Kolleg | Centre for Advanced Study inherit. heritage in transformation, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany

The Centre for Advanced Study inherit.heritage in transformation, a BMBF-funded Käte Hamburger Kolleg based at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, explores historical, contemporary, and potential future transformations in heritage. Annually, up to fifteen international fellows engage in research activities at the Centre. Fellowships for 2026-7 will run from 1 October 2026 until 31 July 2027.

Applications for fellowships for 2026-7 should address the topic of Addressing Heritage Loss. Applications should also relate to one or more of our guiding themes: decentring the west, decentring the human, and transforming value. Successful projects are likely to be based in original empirical or archival study/analysis of source material (which may have already been undertaken) or creative work.

Researchers and topics from areas currently underrepresented in heritage scholarship, including the global South and Eastern Europe, are especially encouraged to apply. We also welcome applications from artists, film-makers and curators.

Topic for 2026–7: Addressing Heritage Loss

We invite applications that consider the dismantling, destruction and letting go of heritage, as well as issues of disinheritance, disposal, renouncing and revising. We encourage original research that addresses past, ongoing or possible future consequences of, and responses to, such undoing of heritage. Our interest is also in research-based creative – including both practical and artistic – approaches to addressing heritage loss.

Duration and conditions

Fellowships can be awarded for a maximum period of 10 months. Preference may be given to applications for the full time period, which runs from the beginning of October 2026 until the end of July 2027. Other than for short visits elsewhere, it is required that you spend the time of your fellowship in Berlin and that you participate in the work of inherit. A monthly stipend whose rate is determined by career stage and whether family members accompany the fellow, or, in the case of applicants based in Germany, replacement cover, will be awarded. In addition, the costs for the return journey (economy) to Berlin and any necessary visa costs will be reimbursed. You are required to cover accommodation, health insurance and any further costs.

Unfortunately, members of Humboldt-Universität are not eligible to become fellows.

Participation in and contribution to inherit

During the fellowship, fellows are expected to be based in Berlin and devote their time to their work in the Centre (except for a small number of possible short visits elsewhere, such as to give talks or participate in workshops). This includes actively participating in inherit’s events, such as the regular colloquium, workshops, the annual lecture series and conference. It is also encouraged to contribute to our dissemination platforms. A work space at our Centre is provided.

Application requirements

Applicants should have completed (submitted and successfully defended by the application deadline) a PhD to an excellent standard and significant publishing from this or, in the case of artists and practitioners, should have a substantial portfolio of accomplished work.

Applicants should submit the online application form, where they will be asked to submit the following documents:

Cover letter stating proposed start date and length of fellowship, title of proposed project and brief motivation for applying to inherit.

Project proposal – up to 2 pages of A4 (in a font no smaller than Times new Roman pitch 11) but with further annex of up to 6 pages of images, where relevant. To include: title and abstract (150 words), summary of proposed work, including making clear how it relates to the topic of Addressing Heritage Loss and one or more of the guiding themes of inherit: decentring the west, decentring the human, and transforming value, as well as its relations to your previous work; timetable; and any resources necessary to completing the work.

CV that includes:

• List including dates and locations of the beginning and completion of all further and higher education, including PhD in the case of academic researchers. The title of the PhD should be given. Funding sources should also be listed.
• List of academic- or practice-related activities, including exhibitions, film or conference presentations, organizational activities, teaching etc.
• Any fellowships, prizes or awards, with dates, sources and funding amounts.
• Full list of publications, making clear which emanate from the PhD (where relevant). lf written in a language other than English, please provide a translation of the title. lnclude full reference details, including page numbers and online links where relevant.

In addition (either as one or two separate pdfs or together with the above), please submit EITHER two articles or chapters (published or unpublished) of a maximum of 20,000 words altogether, OR (in the case of artists) portfolio of art works, films or exhibitions, making clear own role and providing details of times and locations of showing.

Selection process

The selection process is made by an internal committee together with the advisory board. We receive high numbers of excellent proposals. Inevitably, this means that we end up having to not accept many of these. In making our selections, we give emphasis to the quality of the proposal, especially the originality of the ideas and capacity to go beyond existing scholarship or practice. A key criterion is how well it speaks to the areas emphasised in the call, ideally not just providing illustration of these but also exploring, theorizing and possibly expanding upon these in interesting ways. Relevance to our themes and the heritage field is also important. Beyond these matters, the strength of CVs – taking into account career stage and other contextual considerations – including the quality of work submitted and that undertaken previously, are also addressed during the selection. In the final selection, issues of diversity, geographical spread and disciplinary mix are also considered.

Apply now:

To submit your application for the fellowship program, please click here. The deadline for submission is 14th April 2025.

Contact information

lf you have any questions, please have a look at our FAQ or contact Ms. Gultakin Bayramova (fellowships-inherit@hu-berlin.de).

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