Bayreuth Academy International Fellowships 2027/28 in Germany

Applications are open for the Bayreuth Academy International Fellowships 2027/28. The Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence hosts this program in Germany. It supports scholars researching African and African diasporic studies. Fifteen individual fellowships are available for the coming academic year. Fellows immerse themselves in a genuinely interdisciplinary research community. This cluster spans more than fifteen distinct academic disciplines.

Program Snapshot

• Host Institution: University of Bayreuth, Africa Multiple Cluster
• Location: Bayreuth, Germany
• Duration: One to five months, residency required
• Fellowships Available: Fifteen individual positions
• Winter Term: October 1, 2027, to February 29, 2028
• Summer Term: April 1 to July 31, 2028
• Application Deadline: October 5, 2026, 23:59 CEST

Research Themes

• Accumulation, digitalities, and ecologies
• In/securities and processes of remembering
• Translating across African diasporic contexts
• Broader work on world-making and African Studies reconfiguration

About the Program

This fellowship reconfigures African Studies at both conceptual and structural levels. It creates space for genuine inter- and transdisciplinary cooperation. Fellows join a diverse community of junior and senior scholars. This includes professors, postdoctoral researchers, and doctoral candidates worldwide. During residency, fellows gain full membership status within the Cluster.

What Fellows Will Do

Fellows participate actively in weekly Cluster lectures and seminars. Each fellow also delivers a 45-minute talk on their research. Additionally, fellows commit to publishing at least one project-related article. They record a podcast discussing their work’s connection to Cluster themes. Optional activities include joining postdoctoral working groups and mentoring doctoral students. Collaboration with Bayreuth-based scholars remains a central program expectation throughout.

Who Can Apply

Applicants must hold a PhD with a strong African Studies record. Scholars from humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences may apply. Africa-based scholars are especially encouraged to submit applications. Residence at Bayreuth is mandatory throughout the fellowship period.

Financial Benefits

Fellows receive a monthly living allowance based on employment status. This ranges from €1,000 to €2,500 monthly, depending on circumstances. Sabbatical fellows and unfunded fellows receive different allowance tiers accordingly. Additionally, fellows receive a monthly mobility allowance of €750. Travel costs to and from Bayreuth are fully reimbursed. Extra support is available for fellows traveling with young children.

Required Materials

Applicants must submit a complete publication list and current CV. A letter of motivation and detailed research outline are required. Applicants must also address gender and diversity considerations within their project. Two academic referees must be named within the application.

How to Apply

Complete the official online application form before the deadline.

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Conclusion

This fellowship offers genuine intellectual community and flexible funding for African Studies scholars at any career stage. Its emphasis on collaboration, publication, and public engagement sets it apart from typical short-term residencies. Given the detailed application requirements, prospective fellows should begin preparing materials and identifying potential Bayreuth-based collaborators well ahead of the October 5 deadline.

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