The Kohli Foundation for Sociology is inviting applications for its Kohli Fellowship for Sociology, a competitive postdoctoral opportunity designed to support outstanding early-career sociologists pursuing advanced research in Europe.
The fellowship provides financial and academic support for a two-year postdoctoral stay at either the WZB Berlin Social Science Center in Berlin, Germany, or the European University Institute (EUI) in Fiesole, Florence, Italy). The programme is intended to help researchers develop new projects, strengthen publications and establish international research collaborations.
Fellowship Opportunities at WZB and EUI
The Kohli Fellowship is part of the foundation’s Growth programme, which supports early-career researchers, particularly sociologists pursuing doctoral studies or who have recently completed their PhD.
Successful fellows become members of their host institution’s academic community and are expected to actively participate in research activities, seminars and intellectual exchanges.
At the EUI, fellows join the Max Weber Programme for Postdoctoral Studies and are appointed to an academic faculty advisor. Fellows can:
- Develop an independent research project.
- Conduct fieldwork where relevant.
- Participate in academic training.
- Attend national and international conferences.
- Organise research workshops.
- Build connections with other postdoctoral researchers.
- Develop collaborations with scholars at the EUI and beyond.
At the WZB, fellows join a research unit and participate in its scholarly activities. They receive support from an academic contact person and can engage in research seminars, conferences, fieldwork and workshops.
Eligibility Requirements
The fellowship is open to scholars of all nationalities whose research aligns with the research programme of the relevant host institution.
Applicants must:
- Hold a doctoral degree in sociology or a closely related field.
- Have received their PhD no more than five years before the fellowship start date.
- Have submitted and defended their doctoral dissertation before the fellowship contract begins.
- Present a strong research proposal suitable for the selected host institution.
- Demonstrate scholarly excellence and potential for further academic development.
The foundation particularly welcomes applications from women and scholars belonging to academically underrepresented groups.
Research focusing on life-course and generational issues is especially welcomed, although applications addressing other relevant sociological topics are also considered.
Application Documents
Applicants are expected to submit a complete application containing:
- Curriculum vitae, including a publication list.
- Academic Career Statement.
- Research Proposal.
- Names of two to three academic referees.
- A single PDF containing the required application materials.
Applicants should also identify an appropriate research unit and potential collaborator when applying for the WZB-based fellowship and explain why the proposed research would be a strong fit.
Fellowship Timeline
The available timeline indicates that the WZB fellowship application deadline falls in autumn 2026.
The selection process is expected to take place during winter 2026/2027, with interviews, selection and notification of fellows occurring during that period.
The WZB fellowship is scheduled to begin on 1 October 2027.
For the EUI pathway, the application follows the Max Weber Programme timetable, with applications expected in autumn 2027, interviews and selection during winter 2027/2028, and the fellowship scheduled to begin on 1 September 2028.
Applicants should verify the specific application deadline and requirements for their preferred host institution before submitting materials.
What the Fellowship Offers
The two-year postdoctoral placement is designed to provide more than a temporary research position. It gives successful researchers an opportunity to develop an independent academic profile while working within established European research institutions.
The programme can support fellows in:
- Advancing academic publications.
- Developing new research projects.
- Establishing international research collaborations.
- Conducting fieldwork.
- Participating in specialist seminars and conferences.
- Organising academic workshops.
- Expanding professional networks.
- Strengthening long-term academic career prospects.
The foundation selects one Kohli Fellow per year, making the opportunity highly competitive.
Connect Funding Supports Early-Career Sociology
Alongside the fellowship, the Kohli Foundation operates its Connect funding programme, which supports activities designed to advance the professional development of early-career sociologists.
Eligible activities include:
- Academic winter, spring, summer and fall schools.
- Mentoring and professional development events.
- Research workshops and retreats.
- Events supporting independent research.
- Networking activities connecting early-career researchers with established scholars.
Applications for Connect funding can be submitted on an ongoing basis until the annual budget has been exhausted. Applicants must provide a brief description of the proposed event, its target audience and objectives, together with a rough cost estimate in a PDF of no more than two pages.
Opportunity for Emerging Sociologists
The Kohli Fellowship provides a significant platform for recently qualified sociologists seeking to establish independent research careers. By combining postdoctoral research time, institutional affiliation and opportunities for collaboration, the programme is positioned to help promising scholars strengthen their academic profiles and international networks.
Prospective applicants should carefully review the fellowship’s current call for applications, funding guidelines and host-institution requirements before preparing their submissions.
