Heinz Heinen Fellowships 2027/2028 at the University of Bonn, Germany – Fully Funded Research Fellowship for Scholars of Slavery and Dependency Studies

Overview

The Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies at the University of Bonn invites applications for the Heinz Heinen Fellowships for the 2027/2028 academic year. The program offers researchers and knowledge producers a dedicated period at the center to pursue their projects, engage with an interdisciplinary international research community, and contribute to the center's research activities. Applicants are required to propose research that advances historical research in Slavery and Dependency Studies with a comparative perspective, a focus on periods before 1900, and a connection to one or two of the center's five Research Areas. The earliest starting date for the fellowship is October 1, 2027.

Who can apply

The fellowships are open to outstanding international scholars, researchers at various career stages, and selected professionals working as alternative knowledge producers. Doctoral fellowships are designed for researchers about to complete their doctoral dissertation, lasting up to six months. Junior postdoctoral fellowships are for those who completed their PhD no more than four years ago, and postdoctoral fellowships are for individuals who finished their PhD more than four years ago, with both postdoctoral categories lasting up to 12 months. Senior fellowships are intended for full professors with established research profiles for a duration of up to six months. Additionally, alternative knowledge producers such as journalists, artists, creatives, museum professionals, curators, and other intellectuals whose work relates to the research themes may apply for up to six months.

Requirements

Applicants must submit research proposals that advance historical research in Slavery and Dependency Studies with a primary focus on historical periods before 1900. Proposals need to incorporate a comparative perspective, preferably examine a specific region or culture at the micro-level, show strong methodological considerations, and be rooted in a specific academic discipline while remaining open to interdisciplinary approaches. Candidates must also demonstrate how their work connects to one or two of the center's Research Areas. Doctoral applicants must show their current dissertation status and provide a work plan, while junior postdoctoral, postdoctoral, and senior applicants must present a developed research project and methodology relevant to the center's research agenda.

Key dates

The application deadline is January 10, 2027, at 23:59 CET. The earliest starting date for the fellowship is October 1, 2027.