Applications are invited for the Einstein Fellowship 2025 at Einstein Summerhouse, Caputh. The application deadline is May 15, 2025!
About Einstein Forum
The Einstein Forum is a foundation located in the German federal state of Brandenburg, serving as an open laboratory of the mind for the public. Through a diverse program of conferences, workshops, panel discussions, and lectures, it brings together original thinkers from around the world to explore new ideas and challenge conventional ones in the presence of a general audience.
The topics covered by the forum span the arts, humanities, natural and social sciences, ethics, and politics. Speakers are encouraged to think beyond traditional academic boundaries, fostering dialogue not only among experts from different disciplines but also between specialists and the public.
At the core of the Einstein Forum’s programming, as well as the books and articles published by its staff, is the belief that thinking should serve a purpose beyond advancing scholarly and scientific knowledge. It should provide direction, spark curiosity, and inspire creativity. In alignment with the ideals of Albert Einstein, the forum also emphasizes social responsibility. Through these efforts, the Einstein Forum aims to restore Potsdam’s historical role as a center for Enlightenment thought.
About Fellowship
The Einstein Forum and the Wittenstein Foundation offer a fellowship for outstanding young thinkers who wish to pursue a project in a different field from that of their previous research. The purpose of the fellowship is to support those who, in addition to producing superb work in their area of specialization, are also open to other, interdisciplinary approaches – following the example set by Albert Einstein.
The fellowship includes living accommodations for five to six months in the garden cottage of Einstein`s own summerhouse in Caputh, Brandenburg, only a short distance away from the universities and academic institutions of Potsdam and Berlin. The fellow will receive a stipend of EUR 10,000 and reimbursement of travel expenses.
Call for Applications
Candidates for the Einstein Fellowship must be under 35 years of age and hold a university degree in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences. For applications to the 2026 fellowship, candidates are required to submit a CV, a two-page project proposal, and two letters of recommendation. All application materials must be received by May 15, 2025.
At the conclusion of the fellowship, the selected fellow will be expected to present their project in a public lecture at both the Einstein Forum and the Wittenstein Foundation. It is important to note that the fellowship is not intended for applicants seeking to complete academic studies they have already started.
A successful application will demonstrate the quality, originality, and feasibility of the proposed project, as well as the applicant’s intellectual development. The applicant’s PhD status or whether they have started working toward one is not a determining factor. While the project does not need to be fully completed during the fellowship period, it should serve as the foundation for a longer-term initiative.
How to Apply?
Interested and eligible candidates can apply via this link.
Deadline
The application deadline is May 15, 2025!
FAQs
What kind of projects can I propose?
Your proposed project must not be part of your dissertation or thesis, and the application documents must be in English. Otherwise, there are no limitations on the project you may propose as long as you can defend your idea as interesting, original, and feasible during the fellowship period. Please also consider whether the facilities available to you here would suitably allow you to pursue your project.
How different should my proposed project be from my previous work?
There is no hard and fast rule, nor is there a formula for how the proposal should look. All you need to demonstrate is that you have not already done work– e.g. master’s theses, published essays, books, etc.– directly related to your proposed project. You should have already given significant thought to your project idea.
Can I propose two projects?
The fellowship is awarded for just one project. As such, we recommend focusing on strengthening just one proposal.
Should I attach the letters of reference in my application, or should my recommenders send them separately?
They will accept both, but recommends that your reference letters be emailed to us directly by their respective authors.
Is TOEFL/IELTS required?
Einstein Forum requires only the documents listed. They do not require TOEFL/IELTS results in your application, as your application should already reflect mastery of English.
When will I hear back about my application?
Forum will acknowledge receipt of your submission as soon as possible. The application review and interview processes begin in June, with final decisions released by the end of July.
When does the fellowship take place?
Although the exact dates are flexible, the 5-6 month period of the fellowship should preferably take place during the summer months and end within the calendar year.
Is it mandatory to stay in Einstein’s summer house?
Yes. As part of the Einstein Fellowship, we expect the fellow to reside in Caputh.
What may the stipend be used for?
The stipend is intended to cover living expenses and project expenses incurred during your fellowship period.
Can my family come? Does the fellowship cover travel expenses of family members?
Your family may accompany you during the fellowship period. The fellowship will not cover their travel expenses.
My application was rejected. Can I reapply next year?
As long as you still fit the other eligibility criteria, you may reapply for the fellowship next year with a new proposal.
Contact Details
Phone: +49-331-271780
