Jena Excellence Fellowship Programm

The Fellowship Programme strengthens the university’s internationalisation by attracting outstanding researchers from abroad and by establishing and expanding sustainable academic collaborations. The programme is open to senior fellows and postdoctoral researchers who wish to conduct research at Friedrich Schiller University Jena. All professors at the University of Jena may nominate potential fellows.

The university-wide call for applications is coordinated by the Profile Areas Coordination Team.

Funding schemes:

• Postdoctoral Fellow: Researchers up to 6 years after completing their doctorate (R2 according to the European Framework for Research Careers)
• Senior Fellow: Researchers working on a self-employed basis (R3/R4 according to the European Framework for Research Careers)

Senior Fellows may apply, as part of a Senior Plus Fellowship, for additional funding for one person at the postdoctoral or doctoral stage who will come to Jena from a foreign country together with the senior fellow.

Benefits of the Fellowship Programme:

• The funding period is usually between 6 and 12 months.
• €3,700 per month for postdoctoral fellows and €4,700 per month for senior fellows
• One-off mobility allowance (Europe: €1,000; outside Europe: €2,000)
• Fellows travelling with minor children also receive a family allowance

Additional benefits:

• Grant for the host institute of up to €1,800 may be available for project-specific expenses
• Centrally organised welcome pack for fellows (help with finding accommodation, arranging school and nursery places, tutor service, language courses, assistance with the Immigration Office, organisation of short visits to other German universities to establish contacts, establishing contacts and matching with local companies, and a family programme to explore the region)

Selection is based exclusively on nominations from professors or by researchers at the University of Jena with the support of the institute. Self-Applications from researchers are not accepted.

Nominations for the current call for applications can be submitted via the nomination portal from 1 to 30 September.

Decisions on funding are made on the basis of the following criteria:

• Scientific Excellence of the nominee in relation to their stage of career; in the case of postdoctoral fellows, scientific potential is also taken into account
• Contribution to the Profile and Strategic Development of the University of Jena
• Quality and Feasibility of the planned research project

To submit a nomination, the following documents must be uploaded to the nomination portal in PDF format:

• A letter of nomination from the host, which should recognise the nominee’s academic qualification and address the strategic aim of the nomination, the contribution to the development of Friedrich Schiller University, and the nominee’s involvement in the work of the host institution unit (max. 2 pages)
• A joint research proposaldocx, 108 kb outlining the planned research visit: academic objective, any preparatory work, research programme, work plan and timetable (max. 4 pages)
• Curriculum Vitae of the nominee, including a complete list of publications
• Signed declaration of consent [pdf, 463 kb]pdf, 463 kb · de (German)/declaration of consentpdf, 463 kb · de(English) from the nominee regarding data protection