Brief Information
The Digital Humanism Fellowship 2026 supports researchers who explore the complex relationship between technology and humanity. Hosted by the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna, this highly competitive fellowship invites early-career scholars to analyze how digitalization intersects with society, economy, culture, human rights, and geopolitics.
The fellowship is part of the Digital Humanism Program, a long-term interdisciplinary initiative aimed at ensuring that technological innovation aligns with human values, democratic institutions, and social well-being.
Applications are open for the 2026–2027 academic year, with fellows spending three consecutive months in Vienna.
Key Dates & Details
- Program: Digital Humanism Fellowship 2026
- Host Institution: Institute for Human Sciences (IWM), Vienna
- Fellowship Length: 3 months (Sept–Dec 2026)
- Eligibility: PhD students or postdocs (PhD awarded after 20 Jan 2022)
- Monthly Stipend:
- Postdoctoral fellows: EUR 3,300
- Doctoral fellows: EUR 2,750
- Application Deadline: 20 January 2026, 23:59 CET
- Official Website: https://www.iwm.at/calls/digital-humanism-fellowship-26-27
- Apply Online: https://civi.iwm.at/form/app/DH-2026-2027-Autumn
- Contact: [email protected]
Table of Contents
Overview
The Digital Humanism Fellowship 2026 promotes research that critically examines how digitalization shapes political systems, social structures, economic models, cultural norms, and global power dynamics. Unlike Digital Humanities — which apply digital tools to humanities scholarship — Digital Humanism focuses on how society can influence the direction of technology itself.
The fellowship brings junior scholars to Vienna to work alongside senior Digital Humanism Visiting Fellows, building an interdisciplinary environment that bridges computer science, social sciences, philosophy, ethics, economics, cultural studies, and policy analysis.
Scope of Digital Humanism
The fellowship supports research on:
- Societal and geopolitical consequences of digitalization
- Human rights in the digital age
- AI ethics and algorithmic governance
- Platform economies, surveillance capitalism, and data colonialism
- Digital democracy and political polarization
- Technology’s role in labor, inequality, and globalization
- Digital infrastructures and global power shifts
Projects ONLY applying GIS tools, digital archives, or computational methods without addressing social or political implications will not be considered.
Fellowship Conditions
Selected fellows will:
- Spend 3 consecutive months at the IWM in Vienna (Sept–Dec 2026)
- Receive a monthly stipend:
- EUR 3,300 (postdocs)
- EUR 2,750 (doctoral candidates)
- Be responsible for travel, accommodation, health insurance, and personal expenses
- Receive access to:
- Office space
- Research facilities
- Internet & administrative support
- The IWM’s vibrant interdisciplinary community
- Engage in the institute’s seminars, workshops, and academic events
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be currently enrolled in a doctoral program, OR
- Have obtained a PhD after 20 January 2022
- Submit all application materials in English
- Ensure recommenders submit letters before the deadline
Restrictions:
- Only one fellowship application per year
- Previous IWM residents must wait two academic years before reapplying
- Past recipients of this specific fellowship cannot reapply to the same program
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted exclusively online:
👉 https://civi.iwm.at/form/app/DH-2026-2027-Autumn
Email submissions will not be accepted.
Required Application Materials
All documents must be combined into a single PDF:
Required:
- Letter of motivation
- Explain how the project benefits from IWM residency
- Describe connections to Digital Humanism
- Outline concrete research goals
- Project description (max. 550 characters)
- Project proposal (max. 7,500 characters), including:
- Objectives
- State of research
- Methods
- Work plan
- Curriculum vitae + publications list
- Two letters of recommendation
- Submitted directly by referees
- Recommenders receive an automatic link after you submit your application
Technical Requirements:
- Attachments must use Latin characters in filenames
- All materials must be in English
Selection Process
The Digital Humanism Fellowship 2026 selection includes:
1. Formal Review
Applications screened for eligibility and thematic alignment.
2. Expert Evaluation
A jury of scholars evaluates proposals for:
- Originality
- Research quality
- Relevance to Digital Humanism
- Feasibility during the fellowship period
3. Final Notification
Applicants informed by 30 April 2026.
The jury does not provide individualized feedback.
Funding Partner
The fellowship is funded by the:
Federal Ministry of Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure of the Republic of Austria
FAQ
Who can apply for the Digital Humanism Fellowship 2026?
Doctoral candidates and postdocs within 4 years of PhD completion.
Is this fellowship the same as Digital Humanities?
No — Digital Humanism examines societal impacts of technology, not digital tools used for humanities research.
Do I need to live in Vienna during the fellowship?
Yes, fellows must be in residence for 3 months.
Are travel and housing covered?
No. These costs must be covered by the fellow.
Official Links
- Official Announcement:
https://www.iwm.at/calls/digital-humanism-fellowship-26-27 - Application Portal:
https://civi.iwm.at/form/app/DH-2026-2027-Autumn - Program Information:
https://www.iwm.at/program/digital-humanism-program - Contact:
[email protected]
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