IEG Fellowships for Doctoral Students 2027 in Germany | €1,650 Monthly Stipend

Applications are invited for the Leibniz Institute of European History (IEG) Fellowships for Doctoral Students 2027 in Germany. The fellowship is designed for doctoral researchers working in European history, religious history, historical theology, and other historically oriented disciplines.

The Leibniz Institute of European History (IEG) in Mainz awards fellowships lasting between 6 and 12 months. The fellowship primarily supports doctoral students who are at an advanced stage of their research and need dedicated time to complete their dissertations. Also appyl for IMU Breakout Graduate Fellowship Program 2027

The IEG is particularly interested in doctoral projects that take a comparative or cross-border approach, examine Europe in relation to the wider world, explore intellectual or religious history, use digital tools and methods, or address topics in environmental history.

The fellowship requires fellows to reside in Mainz, Germany throughout the award period and actively participate in the academic life of the Institute.

IEG Fellowship 2027 Details

About the Leibniz Institute of European History

The Leibniz Institute of European History (IEG) is a research institution in Mainz, Germany, focused on European history and its connections with wider historical developments.

The Institute hosts doctoral researchers and scholars and provides an academic environment where fellows can work on their research projects while participating in seminars, colloquia, workshops, and other scholarly activities.

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Research Areas and Eligible Projects

The IEG supports doctoral projects in European history from the early modern period through contemporary history.

Projects of Particular Interest

The Institute is particularly interested in projects:

• Using a comparative or cross-border approach
• Examining Europe in relation to the wider world
• Focusing on intellectual history
• Focusing on religious history
• Using digital tools and methods
• Addressing topics in environmental history

Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed research fits within the Institute’s academic focus.

IEG Fellowship Benefits

The IEG fellowship provides financial, accommodation, and academic support during the fellowship period.

What Does the IEG Fellowship Provide?

Selected fellows receive:

• €1,650 monthly stipend
• Fellowship funding for 6 to 12 months
• Accommodation in the Institute’s hall of residence
• Affordable room with shared kitchen and bathroom
• Option for a partner room, depending on availability
• Family allowance
• Workspace in the Institute’s open-plan offices or library
• Academic mentoring from Institute staff
• Opportunity to participate in the Institute’s academic community

Family Allowance

A family allowance is available for eligible fellows:

• €250 for a partner
• €400 for the first child
• €100 for each additional child

Applicants with specific family circumstances are advised to contact the Fellowship Office regarding eligibility and application arrangements.

Who Can Apply for the IEG Fellowship?

The fellowship is intended for doctoral researchers working in history and historically oriented disciplines.

Academic Requirements

Applicants should have a relevant degree such as:

• Master’s degree
• State examination
• Diploma
• Ecclesiastical examination

The relevant academic field should be:

• History
• Religious history
• Historical theology
• Another historically oriented discipline

More Opportunities:

• JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 in Japan
• VU Fellowship Programme 2027 in Netherlands

English Language Requirement

The working languages at the IEG are German and English.

Applicants need good English language skills so they can participate effectively in the Institute’s academic activities.

Residence Requirement in Mainz

The fellowship includes a residence requirement in Mainz for the entire duration of the award period.

Fellows are expected to conduct their research at the IEG and participate actively in the Institute’s academic environment.

Depending on availability, fellows with partners may be accommodated in a double room. Special arrangements may be possible for fellows with children.

Academic Participation Requirements

IEG fellows are expected to become active members of the Institute’s research community.

During the fellowship, fellows are expected to:

• Participate in weekly colloquia
• Take part in scholarly activities
• Present their work in progress at least once during their stay
• Participate in workshops and conferences where appropriate

This means the fellowship is not simply financial support; fellows are expected to actively contribute to the Institute’s academic environment.

Dissertation Stage Requirements

The IEG fellowship primarily supports the completion and writing-up of doctoral dissertations.

At the time of application:

• Candidates should have worked on their dissertation for a maximum of three years.
• Justified exceptions may be possible.
• The dissertation should already be conceptually mature.
• Source research should be sufficiently advanced.
• The proposed 6- to 12-month stay should meaningfully contribute to completing the dissertation.

What Is Not Funded?

The fellowship is primarily intended for dissertation completion.

The following activities are not eligible for funding:

• Preparatory research
• Language courses
• Revision of book manuscripts

Doctoral Supervision

The IEG is a non-university research institution and therefore does not conduct doctoral examinations or award academic degrees.

The dissertation remains under the responsibility of the applicant’s home university supervisor.

Employment During the Fellowship

IEG fellowships are financed through federal and state funds and are intended solely for work on the proposed research project.

Therefore, fellows are not permitted to undertake gainful employment or receive other financial support during the fellowship period.

Applicants should consider this requirement carefully before accepting the fellowship.

IEG Fellowship Application Deadline 2027

The application deadline for the IEG Fellowships for Doctoral Students 2027 is:

15 February 2027

The fellowship calls are announced twice each year, with fellowship periods beginning in March or September.

The announced dates represent the earliest possible start dates. A fellowship may begin up to six months after the announced start date. Later starting dates require an application to a subsequent call.

Required Application Information

The provided fellowship information does not give a complete standardized checklist of every document required for the application.

Applicants should therefore consult the current IEG fellowship application instructions and prepare the materials requested for their specific call.

The application should clearly demonstrate:

• Your doctoral research topic
• The academic discipline of your project
• The current stage of your dissertation
• The maturity of your research
• Why a research stay at the IEG in Mainz will contribute to completing your dissertation

How to Apply for IEG Fellowships for Doctoral Students 2027

Step 1: Check the Eligibility Requirements

Make sure your academic background and doctoral project fit the IEG’s requirements.

Your research should fall within history, religious history, historical theology, or another historically oriented discipline.

Step 2: Assess Your Dissertation Stage

Check that your dissertation is sufficiently advanced for a 6- to 12-month research stay to contribute meaningfully to its completion.

The IEG primarily funds the writing-up and completion stage, rather than preliminary research.

Step 3: Review the Fellowship Call

Check the relevant fellowship call and its starting period. Calls are announced twice a year for fellowships beginning in March or September.

Step 4: Prepare Your Application

Prepare your application according to the current IEG requirements.

Clearly explain your doctoral research, its current stage, and how the fellowship at the IEG will help you complete the dissertation.

Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline

Submit the completed application by 15 February 2027 for the relevant fellowship call.

Important Notes for Applicants

• The fellowship is intended for doctoral students, not general master’s applicants.
• The main research focus is European history and historically oriented disciplines.
• Fellowships last 6 to 12 months.
• The monthly stipend is €1,650.
• Accommodation is available subject to the Institute’s arrangements and availability.
• Family allowances are available under the stated conditions.
• Fellows must reside in Mainz throughout the award period.
• Fellows must participate in the academic life of the IEG.
• The dissertation should be sufficiently advanced toward completion.
• Preparatory research, language courses, and book manuscript revisions are not eligible.
• Fellows cannot undertake other gainful employment during the fellowship.
• The IEG does not award doctoral degrees; the degree remains the responsibility of the fellow’s home university.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the IEG Fellowship?

The IEG Fellowship is a research fellowship for doctoral students working in European history, religious history, historical theology, and other historically oriented disciplines.

How much is the IEG doctoral fellowship?

Selected fellows receive a monthly stipend of €1,650.

How long is the fellowship?

The fellowship can last between 6 and 12 months.

Does the IEG provide accommodation?

Yes. The fellowship includes accommodation arrangements at the Institute’s hall of residence, subject to availability.

Is there a family allowance?

Yes. The stated family allowance is €250 for a partner, €400 for the first child, and €100 for each additional child.

Can I apply if my dissertation is still at an early research stage?

The fellowship primarily supports the completion and writing-up of dissertations. Applicants should have a conceptually mature dissertation and sufficiently advanced source research.

Can I work another job during the fellowship?

No. The provided fellowship conditions state that gainful employment or other financial support is not permitted during the funding period.

Do I have to live in Mainz?

Yes. Fellows are required to meet the residence requirement in Mainz for the entire fellowship period.

Does the IEG award a PhD degree?

No. The IEG is a non-university research institution and does not award academic degrees. Doctoral candidates complete their dissertations under the responsibility of their home university supervisor.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is 15 February 2027.

Related Scholarship Opportunities

Students and researchers interested in funded study and research opportunities can also explore:

• Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in Germany
• PhD Scholarships in Europe
• Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany
• Research Fellowships for International Students
• DAAD Scholarships
• Fully Funded PhD Scholarships for International Students

Final Thoughts

The IEG Fellowships for Doctoral Students 2027 offer doctoral researchers an opportunity to spend 6 to 12 months at the Leibniz Institute of European History in Mainz, Germany, with financial and academic support.

The fellowship provides a €1,650 monthly stipend, accommodation, family allowance, workspace, and academic mentoring. It is particularly suited to doctoral projects involving European history, comparative or cross-border research, Europe’s relationship with the wider world, intellectual and religious history, digital methods, or environmental history.

Applicants should pay particular attention to the dissertation-stage requirement because the fellowship is designed primarily to support advanced doctoral projects and their completion, rather than preliminary research.

The application deadline is 15 February 2027.