Jerzy Giedroyc Fellowship 2026 and IWM Junior Visiting Fellows, Vienna (February 10, 2026)

The Jerzy Giedroyc Fellowship 2026 offers a distinguished research residency at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna for junior scholars. This program honors the legacy of Jerzy Giedroyc, the founder of the influential journal Kultura, by supporting projects that explore the interconnected histories of Poland, Belarus, Lithuania, and Ukraine. Consequently, selected fellows join a high-caliber international community of scholars, benefiting from a dedicated research environment in one of Europe’s leading intellectual hubs.

Program Highlights

Feature	Details
Fellowship Title	Jerzy Giedroyc Junior Visiting Fellowship
Host Institution	Institute for Human Sciences (IWM), Vienna
Duration	4 Consecutive Months
Stipend (Postdoc)	EUR 3,300 per month
Stipend (PhD Candidate)	EUR 2,750 per month
Location	Vienna, Austria

Program Overview

The Jerzy Giedroyc Junior Visiting Fellowship is designed to support researchers in the humanities and social sciences whose work aligns with Giedroyc’s vision of regional cooperation and intellectual freedom. Specifically, the fellowship targets projects focusing on Polish-Ukrainian, Polish-Belarusian, and Polish-Lithuanian relations, as well as the history and politics of the Kultura publishing house.

While in residence, fellows are provided with office space, internet access, and administrative support at no cost. Furthermore, participants are encouraged to fully immerse themselves in the IWM community, attending seminars and contributing to the institute’s vibrant scholarly life. The fellowship term must be completed between September 2026 and June 2027.

Eligibility Criteria

To maintain the high academic standard of the institute, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Academic Status: Must be currently enrolled in a doctoral program OR have defended a PhD within the last four years (no earlier than February 10, 2022).
• Disciplines: Open to all fields within the humanities and social sciences.
• Residency Requirement: Candidates who have previously held a resident IWM fellowship must wait at least two academic years before reapplying.
• Thematic Alignment: Projects must specifically address the history, politics, or literature of the specified Eastern European borderlands or the legacy of Jerzy Giedroyc.

Application Materials

Applicants are required to submit a single, combined PDF document in English including the following:

• Letter of Motivation: Addressing the project’s connection to IWM’s mission and specific research goals.
• Project Description: A concise summary (max. 550 characters).
• Project Proposal: A detailed plan (max. 7,500 characters) covering objectives, current state of research, methods, and a work plan.
• Curriculum Vitae: Including a comprehensive list of publications.
• Reference Letters: Two recommendation letters must be submitted directly by scholars familiar with the applicant’s work via an automated link.

Selection and Evaluation Procedures

Step	Date / Detail
Application Deadline	Tuesday, 10 February 2026, 23:59 CET
Evaluation Type	Expert Jury Review
Notification Date	By 30 April 2026
Selection Criteria	Formal compliance, thematic relevance, and academic excellence

Contact Information

• Coordinator: Kasper Nowak (Fellowship Program Coordinator)
• Email: fellowships@iwm.at
• Address: Spittelauer Lände 3, 1090 Vienna, Austria
• Phone: +43-1-313-58-0
• Website: IWM Official Site

Key Highlights

The fellowship covers not only regional politics but also the “Geopoetic and Sensory Topographies” of East-Central Europe. Previous fellows have explored diverse topics ranging from interethnic relations in the Northern Kresy to the history of sexual knowledge in Lviv. This interdisciplinary approach makes the Jerzy Giedroyc Fellowship 2026 one of the most flexible and intellectually rewarding opportunities for Eastern European studies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What expenses does the stipend cover?
The stipend (EUR 2,750–3,300) is intended to be all-inclusive. Fellows are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, health insurance, and research costs.

Can I apply if I have already received an IWM fellowship?
Yes, provided that two full academic years have passed since your last residency and you are not reapplying for the exact same program.

Are applications in languages other than English accepted?
No, all application materials, including the project proposal and letters of recommendation, must be submitted in English.

Is there an age limit for the “Junior” fellowship?
There is no strict age limit; however, the “Junior” status is defined by academic progress (current PhD student or within 4 years post-PhD).

How do I submit the letters of recommendation?
Once you submit your online application, your referees will receive an automated email with a secure link to upload their letters. These must be received by the deadline.