Early Career Rescue Fellowship – Funded Academic Freedom Fellowship in Germany (2026–2028)

Brief Information

Early Career Rescue Fellowship is a fully funded postdoctoral program designed to protect academic freedom and support researchers affected by political pressure in the USA.
The fellowship provides a two-year research position at leading German universities within a secure and independent academic environment.
It aims to safeguard excellent research while opening new international career pathways. Supporting threatened scholars with secure, independent international research environments.

Key Dates & Details

Funding Body: State of Baden-Württemberg

Program Name: Baden-Württemberg Early Career Rescue Fellowship

Application Deadline: 9 January 2026, 11:00 AM (CET)

Fellowship Period: Two years (between July 2026 – November 2028)

Location / Type: Germany (Onsite)

Host Institutions:

Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), University of Freiburg

Tübingen College of Fellows (CoF), University of Tübingen

Zukunftskolleg (ZuKo), University of Konstanz

Target Group: Early career researchers / Postdoctoral scholars

Number of Fellowships: 14

Monthly Salary: Up to E14 (approx. €6,000/month pre-tax, incl. mandatory German social & health contributions)

Overview

The Early Career Rescue Fellowship was launched in response to growing global challenges to academic freedom. Increasing political pressure has made it difficult for many scholars—particularly those based in the United States—to conduct or continue their research freely and safely.

Funded by the State of Baden-Württemberg, the Early Career Rescue Fellowship creates rescue havens of free research at three internationally renowned German universities. Fellows are hosted within interdisciplinary Institutes for Advanced Studies, offering strong academic independence, international collaboration, and access to world-class research infrastructure.

Through the Early Career Rescue Fellowship, selected researchers receive:

• A secure two-year postdoctoral research position
• Full integration into an international and interdisciplinary academic community
• Institutional research support, mentoring, and networks
• Time and space to continue excellent research without political constraints

This fellowship serves as both a research opportunity and a strategic bridge toward long-term international academic careers.

Eligibility

Applicants for the Early Career Rescue Fellowship must meet the following criteria:

• Hold a PhD degree
• Have minimum 1 year and maximum 7 years of postdoctoral experience
• Be from any country and any academic discipline represented at the host universities
• Be unable to conduct or continue research in the USA appropriately due to actual political pressure
• Demonstrate academic excellence and strong research potential

There are no nationality restrictions, and applications from all disciplines are strongly encouraged.

Application Details

Applications for the Early Career Rescue Fellowship must be submitted online.

Application process:

1. Read the Programme and Application Manual carefully
2. Prepare all required documents according to the guidelines
3. Submit your application via the official Application Form
4. Indicate your preferred host institution (FRIAS, CoF, or ZuKo)

⏰ Deadline:
9 January 2026, 11:00 AM (CET)

Applicants are advised to apply early, as late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

For general information about research careers in Germany, you may also consult the EURAXESS Germany portal.

Official Link

👉 Apply for the Early Career Rescue Fellowship here:

• Application Manual:
  https://uni-freiburg.de/frias/wp-content/uploads/sites/62/Manual_Rescue-Fellowship_final.pdf
• Application Form:
  https://stellen.uni-konstanz.de/en/jobposting/49107de82c5345b8901d8d70d5006a9c3a1a59b50/apply

📧 Contact:
[email protected]

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