Heinz Heinen Fellowships 2027/2028 at BCDSS

About the opportunity

The Heinz Heinen Fellowship Program at the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies (BCDSS) brings together excellent international scholars whose research focuses on different forms of strong asymmetrical dependency (SAD) and slavery across all historical periods and cultural contexts. For the 2027/2028 academic year, the program invites proposals that advance historical research in Slavery and Dependency studies, focusing on the period prior to 1900 with a comparative perspective, preferably at the micro-level within a specific region or culture. Fellowships are available for Doctoral Fellows, Junior Postdoctoral Fellows, Postdoctoral Fellows, Senior Fellows, and Alternative Knowledge Producers (such as journalists, artists, and curators) for durations ranging from 6 to 12 months.

Funding and benefits

• Monthly stipend: €1,700 for Doctoral Fellows, €2,600 for Junior Postdocs, €3,100 for Senior Postdocs, and €3,600 for Senior Fellows
• Travel allowance covering outward and return journeys
• Monthly accommodation lump sum of up to €1,000 for researchers from outside Bonn (up to €1,250 if accompanied by children)
• Dedicated working space including a desktop computer at the BCDSS
• Opportunity to organize a workshop at the BCDSS (subject to BCDSS funding guidelines)
• Support in organizational matters before and upon arrival
• Support in finding day care for children

Who can apply?

• Open to international scholars whose research focuses on strong asymmetrical dependency (SAD) and slavery
• Research proposals must focus on the historical period prior to 1900 and incorporate a comparative perspective, preferably at the micro-level within a specific region or culture
• Proposals must align with and contribute to one or two of the BCDSS's five Research Areas: Transitions and Transformations of SADs; Economies of SADs; Power – Violence – Trauma; Cultural Heritage – Transitional Justice – Memory Cultures; or Alternative Archives and Life Writing
• Applicants must fit into one of the following categories: Doctoral Fellows (about to finish their PhD), Junior Postdoctoral Fellows (PhD completed max. 4 years ago), Postdoctoral Fellows (PhD completed more than 4 years ago), Senior Fellows (full professors), or Alternative Knowledge Producers (e.g., journalists, artists, creatives, museum professionals, curators, intellectuals)

Required documents

• Personal statement or letter of motivation (max. 9,000 characters for Doctoral Fellows; max. 6,000 characters for other categories) outlining project description, methodology, relevance to BCDSS research areas, and preferred stay period
• Concise Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
• List of publications or principal publications (and/or work samples for Alternative Knowledge Producers)
• Copies of degree certificates (or copy of enrollment/admission for Doctoral Fellows)
• Two letters of recommendation (sent directly by referees to application[at]dependency.uni-bonn.de; not required for Senior Fellows, and optional for Alternative Knowledge Producers)

When to apply

• Application deadline: January 10, 2027, at 23:59 CET
• Earliest fellowship starting date: October 1, 2027
• Successful candidates will be notified by April 2027

How to apply

• Prepare all required application documents in English according to your applicant category
• Combine all application documents into a single PDF file
• Ensure your referees send their letters of recommendation directly to application[at]dependency.uni-bonn.de (if applicable)
• Email your single PDF application file to application[at]dependency.uni-bonn.de before the deadline

Additional information

• The BCDSS is a Cluster of Excellence funded by the German Excellence Strategy
• For general inquiries, contact Dr. Sarah Dusend at researchandstudy@dependency.uni-bonn.de
• For content-related questions, contact Prof. Dr. Claudia Jarzebowski at claudia.jarzebowski@uni-bonn.de