About the opportunity
Once a year, the Max Weber Foundation (MWS) confers Gerald D. Feldman Travel Grants to internationally oriented researchers in the humanities and social sciences who are in the qualification phase. Successful candidates conduct a self-chosen research project in at least two and at most three host countries that house MWS institutes, branches, or the Richard Koebner Minerva Center for German History in Israel. Stacements are intended for research in libraries and archives, promoting transnational and transregional studies that bring new and original ideas to academic research.
Funding and benefits
- Travel costs for travel to the foreign institute and back
- Daily rates between € 32 and € 68 depending on the host country
- Lodging in one of the institute's inexpensive guest rooms depending on availability and the host country chosen
Who can apply?
- Highly qualified humanities and social science academics of any nationality
- Must hold at least a Master's degree, M.A., state examination, or German Diplom
- Applicants must have already published and present a research plan (publications are not strictly mandatory for doctoral students)
- Preference is given to projects related to research priorities pursued by the Foundation's institutes or branches
- No age restriction applies
- Employees and current scholarship holders of the Max Weber Foundation are excluded from applying
Required documents
- Completed application form
- Academic CV
- Detailed presentation (maximum 2000 words) of the intended research project, stating sources justifying the stay in specific host countries or institutes
- Copies of certificates (examinations, PhD certificate)
- List of publications (not mandatory for doctoral students)
- A reference opinion from an expert sent directly by email from the reviewer to the Max Weber Foundation's central office
- A letter confirming supervision by the host institution in Germany if a research stay in Germany is planned
When to apply
- Travel grants are advertised annually in June
- Application deadline for the current call is 4 October 2026
How to apply
- Prepare all required application papers in German or English
- Submit the application papers via the online application portal
- Ensure the reference opinion is sent directly by the reviewer via email to feldman@maxweberstiftung.de
Additional information
- Stays are limited to a maximum of one month per host country, though shorter stays are possible
- Re-application is only permitted if explicitly stated in a previous rejection letter
- Recipients travel at their own responsibility and must observe current official travel information
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…
- Ideal for early-career researchers and PhD candidates in the humanities or social sciences seeking multi-country archival or library research support.
- Well-suited for scholars whose research topics naturally bridge multiple international jurisdictions where MWS institutes are located.
- Provides a flexible funding structure covering travel, daily allowances, and guest lodging to facilitate transnational collaboration.
What should you think carefully about?
- Strict one-month maximum stay limit per host country requires concise and well-planned research itineraries.
- Requires coordination with external referees who must submit recommendation letters directly by the deadline.
- Mandates research stays across at least two and up to three qualifying host countries.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This opportunity fits the goals of researchers seeking to expand international networks, conduct comparative multi-site archival work, and advance their academic qualification phase through distinctive transregional output.
Our take
Highly qualified humanities and social science scholars aiming to conduct comparative international archival research should seriously consider applying, provided they can outline a robust multi-country project.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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