About the opportunity
The Digital Humanism Fellowship is part of the Digital Humanism Program at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna. It focuses on the complex interplay between technology and humankind, striving for a better society and the respect of universal human rights. The program seeks research that influences the intersection of digitalization with societal, economic, and geopolitical dimensions, distinguishing itself from Digital Humanities by requiring research that goes beyond merely applying digital tools to humanities research.
Funding and benefits
- Monthly stipend of EUR 3,300 for postdoctoral candidates who defended their PhD by the application deadline.
- Monthly stipend of EUR 2,750 for candidates currently pursuing their doctoral degree.
- Free office space, internet access, in-house research facilities, and administrative services.
- Integration into the IWM community of scholars and participation in Institute activities.
Who can apply?
- Open to all academic disciplines.
- Must be enrolled in a doctoral program or have obtained a PhD not longer than four years prior to the application deadline (not before 21 September 2022).
- Candidates who previously received an IWM fellowship must wait three academic years before applying again.
- Multiple fellowship applications from the same candidate within the same academic year are not accepted.
Required documents
- Brief letter of motivation addressing project benefits from IWM, connection to IWM mission, and research/writing goals.
- Project description (maximum 550 characters including spaces).
- Project proposal (maximum 7,500 characters including spaces) including objectives, current state of research, methods, and a work plan.
- Curriculum vitae, including a list of publications.
- Two letters of recommendation submitted directly by recommenders.
When to apply
- Application deadline: 21 September 2026, 23:59 CEST.
- Fellowship term: Three consecutive months between February and June 2027.
How to apply
- Submit the application through the online application form.
- Combine all required documents into a single PDF file using Latin characters for the filename.
- Ensure recommenders submit their letters of recommendation directly via the provided web form before the deadline.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Doctoral or postdoctoral researchers focusing on the intersection of technology and society
- Scholars whose work addresses societal, economic, or geopolitical dimensions of digitalization
- Researchers seeking an interdisciplinary environment at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna
What should you think carefully about?
- The fellowship requires an on-site presence in Vienna for three consecutive months
- Applicants must ensure they meet the specific PhD defense timeline requirements
- Previous IWM fellowship recipients must wait three academic years before reapplying
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This fellowship is an excellent fit for researchers aiming to deepen their work on the societal impacts of technology within a prestigious, supportive scholarly community. It provides the time and resources necessary to focus on a specific project, making it ideal for those looking to advance their research output or bridge the gap between their current academic standing and future career milestones.
Our take
This is a strong opportunity for researchers who want to engage in high-level, interdisciplinary work in Vienna. It is less suitable for those whose research is strictly limited to the application of digital tools without broader societal or geopolitical inquiry.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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